#BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings - W14
Tour Challenge debrief + Power Rankings update
Lucky 14!
Ok maybe not lucky for everyone but it is the #TwineTime lucky number so this is a lucky week.
#SlamSeason has officially begun with the Tour Challenge tossing its last rocks on Sunday and crowing 4 champions.
One added to her legacy.
A second is on his path to creating #HIStory.
A Tier II champion is returning to Tier I.
And another is following in the slide path of a compatriot.
And while the action on the ice was great, the path to playoffs was a bit slippery.
Plus, WHERE WAS THE ORANGE??
Don't forget, we also crowned our first World Champions of the season!!
Where do we begin?
The head scratcher of an orange themed event with no orange rings? Or the new No TB clause causing so many 2-2 teams to go home early?
The orange marketing one seems simple. This event has been marketed as the "orange" slam for years. It is in October coinciding with Halloween, another "orange" event.
So where was the orange?
I get it. Hearing Life is the main sponsor of the event so the rings were blue to match the title sponsor logo.
Awesome.
But, if you want this event to be "blue" change up all the marketing and make it a "blue" slam.
The Champions Cup is gone. It was a blue slam. The colour is now open for the taking. If the Tour Challenge wants blue to match the sponsor, make the full marketing package to align with the rings.
You know, as is the case with all the other slams.
This really is PR / Marketing 101.
And while orange is my favourite colour and I would hate to see it go, if it has to go because of Marketing 101 principles, I am all for it.
But right now, having the marketing be orange and the rings be blue....it doesn't even match the #gsoc marketing plan overall. Hopefully this is a one-year slip up and it gets fixed next year.
I know this is minor and, for most people, not even an issue. And maybe this is just my public relations degree creeping into my curling enjoyment but it really did bother me all week watching the games. 🤷
How about we tackle the "real" issue of the weekend? All those 2-2 teams. No TB. #Disaster
When the Grand Slam of Curling made the decision this season to eliminate the TB game and leave the TB procedure solely to the Last Stone Draw numbers, many were wondering how that would play out.
Well, after 1 event, it kind of left a salty taste in the mouths of many curling fans....and perhaps a few teams?
Here are how many teams were sitting with a 2-2 record and how many playoff spots were open after the RR:
Tier I (W): 4 teams for 3 playoff spots
Tier I (M): 7 teams for 3 playoff spots
Tier II (W): 8 teams for 4 playoff spots
Tier II (M): 6 teams for 3 playoff spots
The Tier I women's competition seemed to be ok. 4 teams for 3 spots means only 1 goes home due to the new TB formula. Not too much to be upset there.
But look at the other 3 events. A total of 21 teams fighting for 10 spots.
11 of those 21 teams were eliminated solely based on the LSD procedure.
Is this how we want our curling brackets to be decided in events like a slam? In events where there is a huge points (and financial) incentive to making the playoffs?
Look, I get the scheduling chaos that comes with TB games. It can be tough on the GSOC and organizing committee.
But at least, under the old rule, there would be those early morning TB games to be played. And they were free for the public.
And sure, they probably were not fun for the players. Having to win 3 games in a row to make it to Championship Sunday doesn't sound like fun either.
But it is not unheard of either. Hello #CSideGrind at many tour events.
If we want to eliminate the TB games, maybe we need to reconsider the entire slam format.
Maybe 16 teams is not ideal. It creates the 2-2 logjam in the standings as noted above.
Plus, do not get me started again on the concept of being placed in a pool but actually only playing 4 teams from another pool. Why even have a pool system? That is not how competitive pool play works in sports.
If nobody likes the #TwineTime previous suggestion of 4 pools of 4 teams playing 3 RR games and the final RR draw becoming the #Sweep16 playoff round, what about increasing (or decreasing) the amount of teams in the field?
What if we went to an 18-team field with 3 pools of 6? Each team playing 5 RR games.
Ok, I know the scheduling nightmare there but it has a greater possibility of eliminating the 2-2 problem with teams ending with 3-2 or 2-3 records. There is a more definitive playoff cut line at least.
Or, maybe we go to a 15-team field with 3 pools of 5. I know this may not solve the 2-2 problem with each team still playing only 4 RR games but at least teams are playing their pool opposition.
It cannot be worse than what we saw with the standings this weekend!
Or, if we want the 16-team fields, maybe we just have to go to the triple knockout concept used at the Canadian Open.
I know some teams do not favour the triple knockout because the scheduling is less structured and can be messy at times.
On that argument, I clearly say "just win and there are no issues".
If you don't like the idea of possibly having a messy schedule, win your games. It can be quite simple if we want to make broad statement arguments. And it is not like teams are unfamiliar with triple knockout formats. There are quite common on tour.
Honestly, there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to this. Each idea, whether competition format or amount of qualified teams, has pro and con arguments.
But, after seeing how many teams were left "tied" for a handful of playoff spots this weekend, the current #NoTB format just doesn't work. It seemed unfair to many of the teams in the field.
Or maybe #TwineTime is once again sitting alone on an island and more people did enjoy the new format?
What say you rockheads? Did you like it? Dislike it? Didn't really care one way or another?
Or do you have a different solution to the problem?
Conversation matters and discussion can always be good. Share your thoughts on social media and/or the comments below. I welcome any ideas.
Now, with respect to all the action taking place this past weekend, lets do a full runback before climbing the mountain.
#TheRunback
🥌 World Mixed Curling Championship (MW) - Sweden (Team Nygren) def. Spain (Team Vez): The Tre Kronor are wearing the world championship crown after going 10-0 in claiming the first #WMCC title for Sweden. After losing the final in 2015 and 2016, Sweden finally claimed the world championship. Sweden went 8-0 in the RR and secured playoff wins over Belgium (QF) and Canada (SF) to reach the final. Spain also entered the final undefeated, posting a 7-0 RR record and picking up playoff victories over Japan (QF) and Norway (SF). For Spain, it was their second silver medal in the competition (2018). And for Sweden's Jennie Wahlin, it was redemption for losing the 2016 final. Canada defeated Norway to claim bronze.
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier I (W) - Team Jones (MB) def. Team Lawes (MB): A battle of former teammates at skip with new teams around them went to a GOAT in the sport. Jennifer Jones collected her 10th #gsoc title with her young, slightly altered team while securing the first slam title for her teammates. For Jones, it was also her first Tour Challenge title after having a previous best result of SF (2017). Jones only needs the Canadian Open title to complete the career grand slam. Both Jones and Lawes reached the playoffs with 2-2 RR records, surviving the aforementioned new TB procedure. In the playoffs, Jones knocked off 2 previously undefeated teams in Team Tirinzoni (QF) and Team Hasselborg (SF) while Lawes defeated undefeated Team Gim (QF) and Team Einarson (SF).
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier I (M) - Team Retornaz (ITA) def. Team Bottcher (AB): Viva Italia for the Italian Stallions in collecting a second #gsoc title. After posting a 3-1 RR record to qualify, Retornaz ran through the playoffs like it was a world championship, knocking off Sweden's Team Edin (QF), Scotland's Team Whyte (SF) and Canada's Team Bottcher (F). For Bottcher, they qualified with a 2-2 RR record (and surviving the TB procedure) and secured playoff wins over Team Schwaller (QF) and Team Gushue (SF) to reach the final.
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier II (W) - Team E. Kim (KOR) def. Team Dupont (DEN): Welcome back Team Kim! The Koreans will be making their return to Tier I ice in Red Deer at the Canadian Open after winning the Tier II championship this weekend. Take note, last year Kim was competing in the Tier I and reached the QF. This year, Kim posted a 3-1 RR record to make the playoffs and knocked off Team Anderson (QF) and Team Inglis (SF) to reach the final. For Denmark's Team Dupont, it was a solid week of curling in preparation to #DefendTheIce at the upcoming European Curling Championships. Dupont also qualified for the playoffs with a 3-1 RR record and reached the final with playoff victories over Team Black (QF) and Team Campbell (SF).
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier II (M) - Team Casper (USA) def. Team Morozumi (JPN): The Tier II title will stay south of the border for the third consecutive event. After Team Dropkin claimed the past two Tier II titles, compatriot Team Casper followed the slide path to keep the title with the Stars & Stripes. Both finalists survives the TB procedure with 2-2 RR records to make the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, Casper defeated the lone undefeated team, Korea's Team Jeong, in the QF and Team McEwen (SF) to make the final. For Morozumi, their path to the final went through #NextGen Team Wiebe (QF) and Team Sturmay (SF).
🥌 MCT Atkins Curling Supplies Classic (W) - Team McLeod (MB) def. Team Cherwinski (MB): Lisa McLeod had a perfect weekend in claiming the Manitoba Tour title. After posting a 4-0 RR record, McLeod defeated Team Rhyme in the SF to reach the championship game. For Cherwinski, they survived a similar 2-2 TB procedure to reach the playoffs, where they upset Team Jensen in the SF.
🥌 MCT Atkins Curling Supplies Classic (M) - Team Calvert (MB) def. Team Irwin (MB): Make it a perfect 6-0 weekend for Team Calvert in claiming the championship and securing their spot in the Manitoba provincial championship field. Calvert qualified via the A-side and picked up playoff wins over Team D. Wiebe (QF) and Australia's Team Merchant (SF). For Irwin, they qualified via the B-side and scored playoff victories over Team McDonald (QF) and Japan's Team Hirata (SF).
🥌 Saville U25 Challenge (W) - Team Marks (AB) def. Team Plett (AB): It was an Edmonton vs. Sherwood Park final at Saville. Edmonton's Abby Marks secured the championship over Sherwood Park's Myla Plett. Marks reached the playoffs with a 2-1 RR record and knocked off Team Richards (QF) and Korea's Team Kim (SF) to reach the final. For Plett, she entered the final undefeated after posting a 3-0 RR record and only needing 1 playoff win (def. Team Ackerman - SF) to make the final.
🥌 Saville U25 Challenge (M) - Team Adams (AB) def. Team Elsenheimer (AB): A classic QE2 battle in the final between Calgary's Cole Adams and Edmonton's Adam Elsenheimer. For this final, the Flames defeated the Oilers (so to speak). Adams went undefeated over the weekend, posting a 3-0 RR record and a SF win over Team Burton. Elsenheimer took the long way to the finale, reaching the playoffs with a 1-2 RR record and need playoff wins over Team Tao (PO), Team Parent (QF) and Team Sampson (SF). Elsenheimer played in all 7 draws of the competition, the only team to do so.
🥌 King Cash Spiel (W) - Team Hafeli (BC) def. Team Denis (BC): A perfect weekend of curling for Holly Hafeli and her team from Kamloops. In what might be considered a #TeamUpset result, Hafeli went 3-0 in the RR to qualify and need only 1 playoff game to reach the final, a SF win over Team Jackson-Baier. Kim Denis and her team from Richmond also earned a bye to the SF after posting a 3-0 RR record. They entered the final undefeated as well after picking up the playoff win over Team Ryan.
🥌 King Cash Spiel (M) - Team Montgomery (BC) def. Team Richard (BC): Another team with a perfect weekend claiming a tour title. Jason Montgomery and his Victoria team went 6-0 to claim the title Maple Ridge. After wrapping up the RR with a 3-0 record, Montgomery picked up playoff wins over Team Pierce (QF) and Team Kolomaya (SF) to reach the final. For Richard, the team from Kelowna went 2-1 in the RR and reached the final with playoff wins over Team Cseke (QF) and Team Kleibrink (SF).
🥌 Mayflower Cashspiel (W) - Team MacDiarmid (NS) def. Team Hilliard (NS): An all-Halifax final ensuring the home town fans would be leaving with a championship win under their sliders. Both teams won their pools with identical 3-1 RR records, securing byes into the SF round. In the SF, MacDiarmid would defeat Team Quillian while Hilliard knocked off Team Forsythe to set up the all-Halifax final battle.
🥌 Mayflower Cashspiel (M) - Team Grattan (NB) def. Team Eldridge (NB): James Grattan continues to have a hot hand in the early part of the season, picking up another tour title this weekend in Halifax. Grattan also went undefeated in doing so, upping their overall season record to 10-2 and now riding a 9-game winning streak. After qualifying A-side, Grattan picked up playoff victories over Team MacIsaac (QF) and Team Jones (SF). Zach Eldridge took the #CSideGrind path to make the playoffs and then scored wins over Team Thompson (QF) and Team Purcell (SF) to set up the all-NB championship final.
🥌 Martensville Mixed Doubles (MD) - Team Koana/Aoki (JPN) def. Team Thevenot/Kalthoff (SK): Welcome back to competitive curling Tori Koana! There is no better way to return than with a championship win. The Japanese tandem of Koana and Go Aoki qualified for the playoffs with a 3-1 RR record and knocked off Team Kuzyk/Laycock (QF) and Team Dong/Ma (SF) to reach the final. For Saskatchewan duo Ashley Thevenot and Dustin Kalthoff, they also posted a 3-1 RR record to qualify for the playoffs. Their path to the final included playoff wins over Team Yachiw/Raymond (QF) and Team Han/Zou (SF).
Ready to see how the blog did with the #GSOC Tour Challenge #TourLifePredictions?
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier I (W) - 6 of 8 qualifiers.
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier I (M) - 6 of 8 qualifiers, including a finalist.
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier II (W) - 6 of 8 qualifiers, including the winner.
🥌 Tour Challenge Tier II (M) - 3 of 8 qualifiers.
Overall, the blog predicted 21 of 32 qualifiers, sliding out of the hack with a 66% accuracy. At least there was 1 correct winner (Team Kim) and a finalist (Team Bottcher)
But the horrible prediction rate for the Tier II men's competition really lowers the grade this week. How about we go with a "B-" for the week?
And, for complete transparency, the blog will show a summary of the grades received for the predictions.
W13 - B- (Tour Challenge)
You know the Power Rankings mountain can become a bit of a volcano after a Grand Slam of Curling event.
Remember, the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in last week's Power Rankings post.
#PowerRankings
MEN
1. Team Retornaz (3)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - Champions.
24-3 season record.
Qualified in all 4 events played.
2 titles, including 1 slam title.
1 SF.
1 QF.
Any other reason needed as to why the Italian Stallions sit atop the mountain?
We see you Coach Ryan Fry and Claudio Pescia. 👀👀
2. Team Bottcher (4)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - Finalist
Sure they lost in the final but they reached another final. Make it 4 finals in 4 tour events with 3 tour titles. This was the first final they have lost this season. The slam final really determined the #1 and #2 spot on the Power Rankings this week.
3. Team Whyte (2)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - SF
Well the British Curling announcement on Tuesday about which team will represent the home nation of Scotland at the 2023 European Curling Championships next month just got VERY interesting.
Whyte reached the SF at the slam. Mouat did not qualify.
Sure Whyte moves down the Power Rankings due to the finalists but they now are the top Scottish lads.
4. Team Gushue (6)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - SF
Another slam, another playoff appearance for Brad Gushue. His appearance in slam playoff brackets is becoming almost as obvious as sunrise / sunset on a daily basis. Impressive!
5. Team Dunstone (5)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - QF
Dunstone could not replicate the finals appearance of a year ago but still reached the playoff bracket in a very crowded field.
Anyone else getting the feeling this team is flying a bit too under the radar this season? For the good? Or the bad?
6. Team Mouat (1)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - DNQ
The mountain does not want to punish the former #1 team too bad for their performance in Niagara Falls but the world champs are stumbling and tumbling fast now.
They were given a reprieve earlier in the season for bad weekend results but going 3-6 in your last 2 events is starting to raise some eyebrows.
If they were not clenching a bit before the upcoming Euro announcement this week, they should be doing so now.
7. Team Casper (HM)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier II - Champions
This might be an unpopular opinion with some but winning the Tier II should have high rewards (besides the next slam obvious invite of course LOL).
Plus, remember this team has reached 3 finals this season and now has 2 titles.
A bit of a #TeamUpset win? Perhaps. But this team has come to play this season and is ready to give Shuster and Dropkin a run for their money for that US title.
8. Team Schwaller (10)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - QF
The mountain asked last week "Which Team Schwaller shows up at the Tour Challenge?"
The answer: The Competitive One!
Sure they went out in the QF, losing to finalist Bottcher, but they qualified with a 3-1 RR record and followed up their SF result last weekend with another good playoff appearance.
They are looking good heading into Euro's next month.
9. Team Morozumi (HM)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier II - Finalist
They came so close to earning a ticket to the Canadian Open, reaching the final but falling short.
Still, another solid week of curling for the Japanese foursome. It was their 5th finals appearance of the season and 2nd in their past 3 events.
10. Team Edin (9)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - QF
The defending champs were unable to #DefendTheIce at the Tour Challenge but did reach the playoff bracket.
Plus, when you lose to the eventual champ, is it really that "bad" of a playoff loss?
Retornaz. Schwaller. Edin. Mouat/Whyte. Oh is that Euro men's field looking tantalizing!!
Honourable Mention: Team Carruthers, Team McEwen, Team Sturmay, Team Craik, Team Koe
WOMEN
1. Team Einarson (4)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - SF
The SF result may not be how the Canadian champs envisioned returning to the top of the Power Rankings mountain but when you not only make the Final Four but knock the previous #1 ranked team out of the playoff bracket in your final RR game...yup, enjoy the view again!
Plus a nice tune up result for the #PCCC2023 starting this weekend.
2. Team Hasselborg (5)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - SF
We wondered how Hasselborg will respond after the Euro qualifier. I think we have our answer.
A tour title two weeks ago. A SF appearance at the first slam of the season.
Not to mention they did defeat the eventual champions in the RR remember.
3. Team Tirinzoni (3)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - QF
The world champions hold their position on the Power Rankings with a QF result.
They lost to the eventual champion PLUS they did enter the playoffs undefeated.
4. Team Gim (6)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - QF
Speaking of teams entering the playoffs undefeated, Korea's Team Gim did so as well before being tripped up by eventual finalist Team Lawes.
Still the result, overall and in conjunction with results of teams previously ahead of them, means Gim keeps climbing.
Are they the Pan Continental #Fav now?
5. Team Jones (NR)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - Champions
Well, how many people saw that slam title coming? #TwineTime and the Power Rankings mountain certainly did not.
For shame on the blog, underestimating a champion like Jones with her #NextGen lineup. How quickly we forget they reached the Scotties final last year.
Jones and company just put everyone back on notice they are still here and just as dangerous as ever.
6. Team E. Kim (9)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier II - Champions
Speaking of a "Welcome Back" party. The mountain sees you Team Kim!
And the Koreans continue to climb after their dominating run through the Tier II.
Sure they lost their opener to Denmark's Team Dupont but earned their revenge in the finale. Plus they never lost again after the opener, including outscoring their opposition 45-16 in those 6 straight wins.
Watch. Out.
7. Team Lawes (HM)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - Finalist
They are only getting better and stronger as the season progresses.
They failed to qualify at their 2 season opening events but reached the SF two weeks ago and now a slam finals appearance this past weekend.
We talk about peaking and elevating your game at the right time in sports. Lawes might be doing so right now.
8. Team Homan (1)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - DNQ
Did the mountain jinx the #1 teams this past weekend? Both teams who entered on top failed to qualify and take a tumble down.
A bit surprising result for Team Homan given how well they have been playing this season. But also not a huge cause of concern.
The women's field is so close and competitive, parity is here and top teams are going to falter every weekend.
This past weekend, it was Homan's turn. She will turn the tables on the opposition at a future event.
9. Team Morrison (7)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - QF
Another weekend of curling, another playoff appearance for Scotland's Team Morrison. They have qualified in all 6 tour events this season after all.
3 QF. 1 SF. 2 F.
Bring on the Euro's!
10. Team Wrana (2)
Last Week: Tour Challenge Tier I - DNQ
Bit surprised to see Wrana go 1-3 this past weekend.
BUT, look at the opposition: Lawes, Morrison, Gim, Tirinzoni.
All 4 teams above them on the mountain.
And the team they beat? Eventual finalist Lawes in their opener.
Still consider them a dangerous team at next month's European championships.
Honourable Mention: Team Yoshimura, Team Dupont, Team Han, Team Black, Team Fujisawa
MIXED DOUBLES
1. Team Walker / Muyres (1)
Last Week: DNC
Just enjoy the view atop the mountain a bit longer....the snow is coming after all.
2. Team Kaldvee / Lill (2)
Last Week: DNC
The mountain doesn't punish a champion for taking a week off, hopefully still celebrating.
3. Team Martin / Laycock (3)
Last Week: DNC
Steve Laycock did hit the MD ice this weekend in Martensville, competing with Amanda Kuzyk, while Nancy Martin competed at the Tour Challenge Tier II.
Laycock and Kuzyk reached the QF and lost to the eventual champions.
4. Team St-Georges / Asselin (4)
Last Week: DNC
The duo wasn't competing in Mixed Doubles but was competing in Mixed, winning a bronze medal for Canada at the world championship.
5. Team Matsumura / Tanida (9)
Last Week: Martensville Mixed Doubles - QF
Consistency may be the area to work on for the team from Japan.
Win a tour event weeks ago, going undefeated.
Go winless the following weekend.
Go 4-0 this past weekend but fall short in the QF.
Which team will show up week in and week out on tour now?
6. Team Skaslien / Nedregotten (5)
Last Week: DNC
Still one of the strongest MD duos in the world.
7. Team MacMillan / Middleton (6)
Last Week: DNC
Again, a team who could not compete this weekend due to foursome commitments at the Tour Challenge: MacMillan with Team Grandy and Middleton with Team Schneider.
8. Team Roenning / Braenden (7)
Last Week: DNC
The mountain will not punish for a slow MD weekend.
9. Team Zheng / Pietrangelo (8)
Last Week: DNC
The #NextGen MD tandem remains on the #TeamUpset duos to watch this season.
10. Team Koana / Aoki (10)
Last Week: Martensville Mixed Doubles - Champions
Bring on another dangerous team from Japan!
A 6-1 weekend culminating in a tour title sounds like a recipe for success.
Plus we got to see the return of Tori Koana.
Honourable Mention: Team Perret/Rios, Team Ramsfjell/Ramsfjell, Team Adams/Robichaud, Team Armstrong/Griffith, Team Thevenot/Kalthoff
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 promised a podcast episode but it may be delayed. #TwineTime hit the ice this weekend...literally.
Yup, Week 2 of the season and down I went...hard. Apparently, for those competing on all the other sheets, it looked bad enough where everyone stopped playing and was concerned for my well-being.
Needless to say, my body (and ego) are VERY sore this week. I am moving slow. I am feeling old. And I feel pain.
But, going to mend myself up and hopefully get back on the ice soon. One fall will not stop #TwineTime curling.
It just may delay a podcast episode though. #Sorry
The blog will return later in the week with the big Pan Continental Curling Championships preview, including predictions of course.
Until then, keep your feet on the ice and enjoy the week.
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