#BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings - W13
Who sits atop the mountain heading into Slam Season?
Welcome to Week 13 of the Power Rankings.
And it leads us to ask the question: "Are you ready for #SlamSeason?"
The first Grand Slam of Curling event hits this ice this weekend in Niagara Falls with the Tour Challenge.
The biggest event of the #gsoc season with 32 competing. 16 in the Tier I. 16 in the Tier II.
With two tiers competing and both being a dual gender event, there will be a total of 64 teams chasing grand slam glory.
Excited yet?
But before we chase down the slam, we need to update the Power Rankings.
There were quite a few tour events to keep track of this past weekend. And many of the teams competing this week at the slam decided to get in some pre-gsoc ice time.
How does the mountain look heading into Niagara Falls?
Lets start with the runback to celebrate those teams who had successful weekends first.
And then see how the weekend results shaped the Week 13 Power Rankings.
#TheRunback
🥌 Insitu Players Open (W) - Team Hasselborg (SWE) def. Team Wrana (SWE): The Swedish rivalry continues...and maybe a small amount of revenge for Hasselborg. After being drawn into the same pool, Hasselborg ends up with a perfect 2-0 record against their rivals, winning the RR game and the championship final. For Hasselborg, they qualified top of the pool with a 4-1 RR record and scored playoff wins over Team Gim (QF) and Team Lawes (SF). Wrana took the longer path to the final, finishing the RR with a 3-2 record and surviving a TB game vs. Team Yoshimura. Once into the playoff bracket, they scored victories over Team Constantini (QF) and Team E. Kim (SF). Take note, 7 of the 8 playoff teams were non-Canadian, with Lawes the only Canadian team to qualify.
🥌 Insitu Players Open (M) - Team Bottcher (AB) def. Team Koe (AB): The Alberta rivalry adds another chapter. Both teams were placed in the same pool, meaning we saw an earlier game between them in the RR with Koe emerging victorious. It would be Bottcher's only loss of the event though, as they reached the playoffs with a 4-1 RR record and then scored victories over Team Ramsfjell (QF) and Team Epping (SF) to set up the rematch. For Koe, they reached the final undefeated after posting the 5-0 RR record and scoring playoff wins over Team Waddell (QF) and Team Schwaller (SF). Both teams ended up taking 1 loss this weekend...to one another. This rivalry continues to heat up! 🔥🔥
🥌 Match Town Trophy (W) - Team Schwaller (SUI) def. Team Sundberg (SWE): #DefendTheIce was a success for Switzerland's Xenia Schwaller. And they did so by going undefeated with a perfect 5-0 record. After the 3-0 RR record, earning a bye to the SF, Schwaller knocked off Team Kaldvee to reach the final. For Sweden's Sundberg, they took the slightly longer road to the final after posting a 2-1 RR record (including a loss to Schwaller) and defeating Team Moberg (QF) and Team Dryburgh (SF) to get their RR rematch. Unfortunately for Sundberg, the finale result would be the same as the RR, denying the home nation a victory. Kaldvee defeated Dryburgh for the bronze medal.
🥌 Match Town Trophy (M) - Team Krause (DEN) def. Team Harstad (NOR): Nothing rotten in the state of Denmark after this weekend! Krause goes a perfect 7-0 in claiming the title in Jonkoping, Sweden. After a 4-0 RR record to qualify, Krause scored playoff wins over Team Westerberg (QF) and Team Wrana (SF). For Harstad, they reached the playoffs with a 2-2 record, just securing 1 of the last playoff spots on the TB procedure, and picked up playoff bracket wins over previously undefeated, and defending champion, Team Nyman (QF) and Team Landelius (SF). Harstad's QF win over Nyman was also revenge for the final RR game loss. Landelius defeated Wrana for the bronze medal.
🥌 Alberta Curling Series - Event 1 (W) - Team Wang (CHN) def. Team Han (CHN): Another rivalry finale, this time between the top 2 Chinese teams who have already picked up tour titles this season. Chalk up another W for Rui Wang though. Both teams reached the final undefeated after posting identical 4-0 RR records. Wang scored playoff wins over Team Wytrychowski (QF) and Team Hartwell (SF) while Han knocked off Team Sturmay (QF) and Team Nakamura (SF).
🥌 Alberta Curling Series - Event 1 (M) - Team Hirata (JPN) def. Team Dunbar (AB): A RR rematch in the final...with an opposite result. Hirata reached the playoffs despite suffering the RR loss (their only loss of the event) and scored a SF victory over previously undefeated Team Webb. For Dunbar, they qualified for the playoff undefeated and picked up a SF win over last weekend's champion Team Fei. Hirata would earn their revenge for the earlier loss in the final however.
🥌 Stoud Sleeman Cash Spiel (W) - Team Heggestad (ON) def. Team Howard (ON): Heggestad has a perfect weekend in Stroud to collect the championship. After a perfect 3-0 RR record, including a W over Howard, Heggestad knocked off Team Bailey (SF) to reach the final. For Howard, they suffered the 1 RR loss but still qualified with a 2-1 RR record. In the SF they defeated Team Synackova to set up the finale RR rematch.
🥌 Stoud Sleeman Cash Spiel (M) - Team Ferris (ON) def. Team King (ON): After losing their opening 2 games in Stroud, Pat Ferris and his team had their backs against the wall knowing another loss would eliminate them. They would never lose again, stringing off 5 straight wins to claim the title. They squeaked into the playoffs with a 2-2 RR record before scoring playoffs wins over Team Chandler (QF) and Team Dunnan (SF). For Jayden King, his Guelph, Ontario team qualified with a 3-1 RR record and reached the final with wins over Team Fanset (QF) and Team Smith (SF).
🥌 S3 Group Curling Stadium Series (W) - Team Tisdale (SK) def. Team Englot (SK): Jana Tisdale lost an A-SF game Friday night and then never lost again in picking up the title in Swift Current. After dropping to the B-side, Tisdale qualified with 2 wins before scoring playoff victories over Team Silvernagle (QF) and Team Kanai (SF). For Englot, they entered the final undefeated after qualifying A-side and picking up their lone playoff win over Team Mitchell (SF). Tisdale knocked off both A-qualifiers (Kanai, Englot) in picking up the title.
🥌 S3 Group Curling Stadium Series (M) - Team Bryden (SK) def. Team Knapp (SK): Has a dark horse contender emerged in Saskatchewan? Josh Bryden went 6-1 this weekend to claim the title in Speedy Creek, SK. After a 3-1 RR record, Bryden knocked off last weekend's tour winner Team Kalthoff (QF) and Team Laycock (SF) to reach the final. For Kelly Knapp, the defending SK Tankard champs went 4-3 to reach the playoffs and needed only a SF win over Team St. John to reach the final. Unfortunately they could not wrap up the perfect weekend, falling in the final.
🥌 St Paul Cashspiel (W) - Team Traxler (USA) def. Team Johnson (USA): Who says Alaska isn't a curling state? Ariel Traxler and her team from Fairbanks, AK will be bringing home a tour title after surviving a 2-2 RR record and scoring playoff wins over previously undefeated Team Workin (QF) and Team Johnson (SF). The win over Workin was a final RR game rematch, won by Workin, and with the high score of 11-10 for Traxler. For Allory Johnson, her team also qualified for the playoffs with a 2-2 record and defeated Team Cousins in the SF to make the final.
🥌 St Paul Cashspiel (M) - Team Casper (USA) def. Team Ruohonen (USA): Daniel Casper and his foursome from Chaska, MN went 5-1 over the weekend to win the title. After posting a 3-1 RR record, they scored a SF win over Team Sampson before the finale win over Ruohonen. Rich Ruohonen went 4-1 in the RR to reach the playoffs and secured a victory over Team Bonot in the SF.
🥌 MCT Shootout (W) - Team Campbell (MB) def. Team Watling (MB): Jolene Campbell and her new look team went undefeated to claim the title. After posting a 3-0 RR record, they defeated Team B. Peterson in the SF. For Watling, they also went 3-0 in the RR to qualify for the playoffs and knocked off fellow undefeated Team Clark-Rouire in the SF.
🥌 MCT Shootout (M) - Team Calvert (MB) def. Team McDonald (MB): Braden Calvert had a perfect 5-0 weekend to claim the MCT Shootout title. After posting a 3-0 RR record, the team knocked off Team Grassie in the SF. For Jordan McDonald, it was a similar story in reaching the final. McDonald posted a 3-0 RR record and defeated Team Walter in their SF game.
🥌 Mixed Doubles Super Series (MD) - Team Kaldvee/Lill (EST) def. Team Cotter/Cotter (BC): Estonia rocks the house in Chilliwack and denies the home province father/daughter duo a championship win. Kaldvee/Lill went undefeated in picking up the championship, posting a 5-0 RR record and scoring playoff victories over Sweden's Team Westman/Ahlberg (QF) and B.C.'s Team Reese-Hansen/Chester (SF). For Cotter/Cotter, they also entered the final undefeated after posting an identical 5-0 RR record and playoff wins over Team Wark/Kleibrink (QF) and Team Walker/Muyres (SF).
Ready to see how the blog did with last weekend's #TourLifePredictions?
🥌 Insitu Players Open (W) - 7 of 8 qualifiers, including the runner-up.
🥌 Insitu Players Open (M) - 5 of 8 qualifiers, including the winner.
🥌 Match Town Trophy (W) - 4 of 6 qualifiers, including a finalist.
🥌 Match Town Trophy (M) - 7 of 8 qualifiers.
🥌 Alberta Curling Series - Event 1 (W) - 6 of 8 qualifiers, including a finalist.
🥌 Alberta Curling Series - Event 1 (M) - 2 of 4 qualifiers, including the winner.
🥌 Mixed Doubles Super Series (MD) - 5 of 8 qualifiers.
Overall, the blog predicted 36 of 50 qualifiers, sliding out of the hack with a 72% accuracy. Also predicting 2 winners, 1 runner-up and 2 additional finalists (who were predicted to finish second but ended up winning the title).
This is a MUCH better week for #TwineTime. How about an "A-" grade for the week? The amount of finalists I think bumps the grade above the "B" rating but not into the full "A" success rate.
And, for complete transparency, the blog will show a summary of the grades received for the predictions.
W12 - A-
Time to head to the mountain range. And remember, the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in last week's Power Rankings post.
#PowerRankings
MEN
1. Team Mouat (LW: 1)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - DNQ
Well that was not the slam tune-up expected from the world champs. A 2-3 RR record and missing the playoffs is a bit surprising. Did they take the gas off the pedal to save energy for Niagara Falls? Luckily for them, those teams behind them did not do enough to usurp them from atop the mountain....yet?!
2. Team Whyte (2)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - DNQ
The Scots are going double time it seems as Whyte also went 2-3 in the RR and failed to qualify. Similar to their Scottish rivals, were they caught looking ahead to this week?
3. Team Retornaz (3)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - QF
The Italian Stallions went a perfect 5-0 in the RR to qualify but were upset in the playoffs by Team Epping. Still a solid weekend of curling and showing, once again, why they are a threat in the upcoming slam.
4. Team Bottcher (8)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - Champions
Back to Bottcher! This is a team of resiliency. They were perhaps disappointed with their result at the PointsBet Invitational but turned it around to win another tour title. The #Fav heading into Niagara Falls?
5. Team Dunstone (4)
Last Week: DNC
The Sheriff enjoyed a weekend off to prepare for the Tour Challenge, where they reached the final last year.
6. Team Gushue (5)
Last Week: DNC
A quiet week for the boys from The Rock. We know they will be ready for go for slam season though.
7. Team Carruthers (6)
Last Week: DNC
Still enjoying their PointsBet Invitational victory perhaps?
8. Team Koe (NR)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - Finalist
That was the type of full weekend championship curling we have been waiting to see from Team Koe. A perfect RR record, including a W over main rival Bottcher, will be great motivation entering the slam. Sure they lost the final to their rivals but now they have some revenge to go with the motivation and momentum.
9. Team Edin (7)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - DNQ
A 3-2 RR record was not enough to qualify, not even to get them into the lone TB game due to the LSD number. They are the defending Tour Challenge Tier I champions remember. Not sure how well of a tune-up weekend this will be for them?
10. Team Schwaller (HM)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - SF
Which Team Schwaller will show up next? The one who started the Players Open 0-2 or the one who can go on a roll and reach the SF after surviving a TB game against Swiss counterparts Team Hoesli, who they needed to defeat in their final RR game just to make the TB discussion? The jury is out but for now, welcome to the Top 10.
Honourable Mention: Team McEwen, Team Morozumi, Team Hoesli, Team Krause, Team Casper
WOMEN
1. Team Homan (LW: 1)
Last Week: DNC
We cannot knock them off the top of the mountain for enjoying the view a bit longer before the slam.
2. Team Wrana (4)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - Finalist
A Swedish team making a climb towards the #1 spot? Well that sounds familiar. What may be new though is the name of the Swedish team. Wrana may have lost the final but they reached the final nonetheless. Watch out for them in Niagara Falls. Remember, when we last saw them on #gsoc ice, they were hoisting a trophy (2023 Players' Championship).
3. Team Tirinzoni (2)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - QF
Well that was a dramatic weekend of curling! Tirinzoni reached the playoffs with a 3-2 RR record and "survived" the TB round when Denmark's Team Dupont did not show up to compete. As was announced on Dupont's team IG account, they were originally told by organizers there would be no TB round so they went back to their AirBNB. When they were told the TB game was happening, it was already too late and they basically forfeited the game. Advantage Tirinzoni though as they got the TB as a bye and avoided a DNQ next to their name. Not the best weekend of curling overall though for the world champs, especially heading into a slam.
4. Team Einarson (3)
Last Week: DNC
The Canadian champs prepare for the Tour Challenge and, more importantly, the upcoming Pan Continental Curling Championships.
5. Team Hasselborg (9)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - Champions
Now that is the type of curling we have come to expect from Team Hasselborg. Huge tournament title coming at the exact right time. After taking the heartbreaking Euro Qualifier loss to rivals Wrana, building back momentum heading into the slam season is huge. They may not be in Scotland next month but winning another #gsoc title could still be a nice consolation prize?
6. Team Gim (6)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - QF
The mountain gets very hard to climb when you are sitting in the middle position. You either need to win or hope those around you crumble. For Korea's Gim, they reached the QF but lost to eventual champ Hasselborg. The finalists stay above her on the mountain...but at least Gim maintained their footing too. No slip up is still a good week on the mountain.
7. Team Morrison (7)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - QF
See above! Morrison also reached the QF and had a great week of curling. No move up but, on the positive, no slip up either.
8. Team Han (10)
Last Week: AB Curling Series Event 1 - Finalist
The field in Beaumont may not have been the strongest but China's Team Han reached another final and did so with an undefeated record. They now own a season record of 22-5 and add another tour final to their impressive season resume. If only the Tier II event was later in the season. They would be a deserving team to be there.
9. Team E. Kim (HM)
Last Week: Insitu Players Open - SF
Here comes Team Kim! In a bit of a similar position as Team Hasselborg, they will not be competing at the upcoming Pan Continental Curling Championships (nor world championship) for Korea. However, they are still finding plenty of reasons to compete and win. Another solid weekend of curling showing them to be a dark horse contender this upcoming week.
10. Team Wang (HM)
Last Week: AB Curling Series Event 1 - Champions
After inching closer and closer to the Top 10 over the past few weeks, winning a second tour title is enough for China's Team Wang to find their spot on the mountain. 2 titles in 3 weeks, with a SF thrown in between, is a solid Rocktober of results. They are 16-3 in October as well.
Honourable Mention: Team Yoshimura, Team Fujisawa, Team Black, Team B. Peterson, Team Lawes
MIXED DOUBLES
1. Team Walker / Muyres (4)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - SF
Back to back strong weekends of MD curling action, with deep playoff runs, moves the Walker/Muyres duo to the top of the mountain.
2. Team Kaldvee / Lill (7)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - Champions
Hellooooo Estonia! Where "curling is coldEST" and "curling is funEST". What a weekend for Kaldvee/Lill, picking up a tour title against a very strong field.
3. Team Martin / Laycock (8)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - QF
A tour title. A SF. And now a QF. Solid MD season results for the Sasky duo. They are finding their momentum at the right time and look to be a solid tandem to watch out for this season.
4. Team St-Georges / Asselin (2)
Last Week: DNC
Understandable why this duo was not competing on MD ice this weekend....they are busy representing Canada at the World Mixed Curling Championship. And they are undefeated as of blog publishing date.
5. Team Skaslien / Nedregotten (3)
Last Week: DNC
With European Curling Championships right around the corner, do not expect too much on ice action for the Norwegian duo. They should hit the MD ice again at the end of November, after ECC is over.
6. Team MacMillan / Middleton (5)
Last Week: DNC
A bit surprising we did not see them compete in Chilliwack but also makes sense as Middleton prepares to compete at the Tour Challenge Tour II (with Team Schneider). This duo does still lead the Year to Date points race for the discipline though so the mountain cannot punish them too harshly.
7. Team Roenning / Braenden (6)
Last Week: DNC
After reaching the final the previous weekend and losing to their rivals, and not competing this past weekend, the mountain will let the "other" Norwegians retain a similar spot to last week. For now....
8. Team Zheng / Pietrangelo (9)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - DNQ
The #NextGen team may have missed the playoffs in Chilliwack but they did post an impressive 3-2 RR record and lost out on a spot in the TB due to the TB procedure. And those 2 losses? Well they just happened to come against the duo who won the title (Kaldvee/Lill) and an Olympic representative (Gill/Hewitt). Not exactly "bad" losses, hence the slight climb up the mountain.
9. Team Matsumura / Tanida (LW: 1)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - DNQ
From champions one week to 0-4 and missing the playoffs the next. Welcome to the world of mixed doubles. And welcome to the MD Power Rankings mountain, where major slips like going winless will cause a team to lose their footing and take a deep slide. Luckily they retain a spot in the Top 10 at least.
10. Team Perret / Rios (HM)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - QF
A 4-1 RR record and reaching the playoffs in a strong MD field will get you climbing the mountain. For Switzerland's Perret/Rios, it was a nice rebound weekend after the TB loss last weekend. They are 11-7 on the season, averaging close to 4 wins an event while taking 2 losses. A 4-2 record, per event on average, will usually land you in the playoff discussion. And, for now, is a welcome spot in the Top 10.
Honourable Mention: Team Ramsfjell/Ramsfjell, Team Adams/Robichaud, Team Armstrong/Griffith, Team Gill/Hewitt, Team Homan/Tardi
Agree? Disagree? What would YOUR Top 10 look like?
Share your thoughts with the #PowerRankings and reveal your Top 10 mountain on social media or in the comment section below.
#StayTuned
The blog will return TOMORROW with the #GSOC Tour Challenge preview for both the Tier I and Tier II competition.
Remember, the World Mixed Curling Championship has hit the ice in Scotland. The #TourLifePredictions blog post offers a full preview of all the action, from #Favs to #TeamUpset to #W2W4 to exciting #PopcornMatches.
And you can stay up to date with all the results HERE.
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