#BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings - W15
Happy Halloween Weekend of Booo-tacular Curling
"Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble"
- Macbeth
The pre-Halloween weekend provided a few Macbeth-esque qualities for those who stepped on the ice.
Was it "double, double" on the scoreboard?
Or was it a weekend filled with "toil and trouble"?
Maybe it was more a weekend of Morticia Addams excitement:
"Last night you were unhinged.
You were like some desperate, howling demon.
You frightened me.
Do it again!"
Sometimes you can get on a roll and just dominate your competition, leaving even your own teammates and fans in awe at your curling abilities.
For some teams it was a spooky scare of a weekend.
For some, it was a weekend full of Halloween treats.
And for a select few, they rose above to become the Jack Skellington on ice:
"I am the pumpkin king."
Ok, enough with the Halloween quotes and trying to make it relatable to curling. You get the idea.
Lets just dive right into the weekend action and update Power Rankings.
I have some candy to get to and my stomach is growling.
#TheRunback
🥌 Saville Grand Prix (W) - Team Sturmay (AB) def. Team Strouse (USA): Home ice was nice for Selena Sturmay this weekend. Sturmay went 6-1 overall to claim the title. After posting a 3-1 RR record to reach the playoffs, Sturmay picked up wins over Japan's Team Yoshimura (QF) and fellow Albertan Team Hunkin (SF) to reach the final. USA's Strouse squeaked into the playoff bracket with a 2-2 RR record and knocked off Manitoba's Team Cameron (QF) and home fav Team Gray-Withers (SF) in the playoffs.
🥌 Saville Grand Prix (M) - Team Jacques (AB) def. Team Webb (AB): An All-Albertan battle of 3-1 RR teams highlighted the men's final at Saville. Team Jacques prevailed to pick up the tour title after scoring playoff wins over Team Sherrard (QF) and Team Davies (SF). For Webb, their path to the final included a SF victory over Team Libbus after securing the SF bye from the RR.
🥌 North Greenville Women's Fall Curling Classic (W) - Team Constantini (ITA) def. Team Armstrong (ON): Italy's Team Constantini is rounding into European Curling Championship form at the perfect time. So perfect in fact they went 6-0 over the weekend to claim the title in Kemptville, Ontario. Constantini qualified for the playoffs via the A-side and knocked off Team Watling (QF) and Team Inglis (SF) to reach the final. For Team Armstrong, they lost their opener vs. Team St-Georges and then rode a #TeamUpset hot hand into the final. After qualifying via the B-side, they secured playoff wins over Team McCarville (QF) and Team Kitzawa (SF).
🥌 Soo Curling Fall Classic (M) - Team Dunstone (MB) def. Team Retornaz (ITA): Matt Dunstone would not allow an Italian Double over the weekend, derailing championship aspirations for Tour Challenge champ Team Retornaz in the final. Both Dunstone and Retornaz entered the final undefeated, having both qualified for the playoffs via the A-side. In the playoffs, Dunstone scored wins over Team Kean (QF) and Team Horgan (SF) while Retornaz knocked off Team Skanes (QF) and Team Howard (SF).
🥌 Kamloops Crown of Curling (W) - Team Brown (BC) def. Team Dennis (BC): A perfect 7-0 weekend culminated in a tour title for Team Brown. After qualifying for the playoffs with a 5-0 RR record, Brown scored a SF win over Team Ryan to reach the final. For Team Dennis, they went 4-1 in the RR (losing to Brown) but reached the final via a SF win over previously undefeated Team Hafeli. Dennis's SF win over Hafeli was revenge for the finals loss the previous weekend in Maple Ridge.
🥌 Kamloops Crown of Curling (M) - Team Pierce (BC) def. Team Kleibrink (BC): Sometimes the #CSideGrind can prove less scary and more spook-tacular! Team Pierce found that out this weekend, surviving the long road into the playoffs and and winning 4 straight to claim the title. After A-side SF and B-side final losses, Pierce won the C-side qualifier to reach the playoff bracket. Once there, they would defeat Team Kolomaya (QF) and Team Craig (SF) to make the final. For Kleibrink, they lost an A-side SF as well but rebounded to qualify via the B-side. In the playoffs, they knocked off Team deJong (QF) and Team Olsen (SF) to reach the final. Pierce ended up going 6-2 over the weekend in claiming the title.
🥌 Grand Prix Bern Inter Curling Challenge (M) - Team Craik (SCO) def. Team Kapp (GER): The arrival is complete! Welcome the #NextGen Scottish champ to the World Curling Tour victory lane. James Craik and his team from Forfar, Scotland had a perfect weekend in claiming their first tour title in Bern. After qualifying via the A-side, Craik knocked off Team Stocker (QF) and Team Waddell (SF) to reach the final. For Germany's Team Kapp, they lost their opening game but rattled off 7 straight wins to reach the final. After qualifying via the B-side, Kapp defeated Team Klima (QF) and Team Brunner (SF) to set up a #NextGen finale vs. Craik. Could this be a future world championship finale folks?
🥌 Sundyberg Open (W) - Team Schwaller (SUI) def. Team Bjoernstad (NOR): It was "deja vu" in Sweden for Swizterland's Team Schwaller, winning their second straight Nordic Curling Tour title. Both titles coming in October. Both titles coming on Swedish ice. Schwaller went 2-1 in the RR to earn a bye to the SF, where they defeated Sweden's Team Dryburgh. Bjoernstad entered the final undefeated after posting a 3-0 RR record and a SF victory over Turkey's Team Yildiz. Dryburgh took home the bronze medal with a victory of Yildiz. Schwaller's back-to-back wins have them atop the Nordic Curling Tour standings.
🥌 Sundbyberg Open (M) - Team Krause (DEN) def. Team Landelius (SWE): Make it "deja vu" times two in Sundbyberg. Denmark's Team Krause completed a matching Double-Double and caused "toil and trouble" for the opposition. Similar to Schwaller, Krause also went back-to-back with Nordic Curling Tour titles in Sweden in October. After losing their opener, Krause would go undefeated the rest of the way in claiming the title. They went 2-1 in the RR and secured playoff wins over Sweden's Team A. Westerberg (QF) and Norway's Team Harstad (SF) to earn a revenge match in the final. Landelius also took the long road to the final, having defeated Krause in their opener but dropping their last 2 RR games to finish 1-2 and sneak into the playoffs. To reach the final, they defeated Sweden's Team J. Westerberg (QF) and Team Granbom (SF). Harstad won the bronze medal over Granbom. Krause's victory moves them atop the Nordic Curling Tour rankings.
🥌 Mixed Doubles Super Series (MD) - Team Koana/Aoki (JPN) def. Team Matsumura/Tanida (JPN): No team is on a better role right now than the Japanese tandem of Tori Koana and Go Aoki. Mark it as 12 straight wins and counting. After winning the tour title last weekend, Koana/Aoki followed it up with another title this past weekend...and this time they went 8-0! After qualifying for the playoffs with a 5-0 RR record, the Japanese duo defeated Team Jones/Laing (QF) and Team Walker/Muyres (SF) to reach their second straight tour final and set up an all-Japan championship match. Matsumura/Tanida also reached the final undefeated after posting an identical 5-0 RR record and scoring playoff wins over Team Martin/Laycock (QF) and Team Kim/Jeong (SF).
As you may have noticed, there were no #TourLifePredictions for last weekend.
The blog focused on the 2023 Pan Continental Curling Championships with a full preview post of the A and B Divisions.
Those predictions, once the event wraps up next weekend, will be graded though.
And, for complete transparency, the blog will show a summary of the grades received for the predictions.
W14 - No Picks (PCCC Preview)
Bring on the mountain!
Remember, the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in last week's Power Rankings post.
#PowerRankings
MEN
1. Team Retornaz (1)
Last Week: Soo Curlers Fall Classic - Finalist
How do you follow up a slam win? With another run to a tour final of course.
If teams were not scared to face the Italian Stallions before, they should be now.
2. Team Bottcher (2)
Last Week: Did Not Compete (DNC)
A deserving weekend off for the slam runner-up and a team who has been feasting on the competition like World War Z zombies all season.
3. Team Whyte (3)
Last Week: DNC
They may not be heading to Aberdeen to represent Scotland at the European Curling Championships but they are still one of the best teams on tour this season, sitting #3 on the Year to Date rankings.
4. Team Dunstone (5)
Last Week: Soo Curlers Fall Classic - Champions
How do you put a tough playoff loss at a slam behind you? Go out and win a title in your next event.
Matt Dunstone is "the pumpkin king" of the weekend!
5. Team Gushue (4)
Last Week: DNC
Gushue is wearing the Maple Leaf this week at the Pan Continental Curling Championships, looking to #DefendTheIce as champion AND clinch a spot in the 2024 World Men's Curling Championship for Canada.
Gushue opened the event with a "surprising" loss to Korea but rebounded Monday morning with a win over New Zealand. They face USA's Team Dropkin, who beat them in the RR last year, Monday evening.
6. Team Mouat (6)
Last Week: DNC
The world champs are licking their wounds a bit after the Tour Challenge but do not underestimate the Scottish lads either.
Remember, we saw them struggle at times last season too and look how that played out in the end?!
7. Team Casper (7)
Last Week: DNC
The Tier II champions are enjoying the title. Enjoy the celly boys!
8. Team Craik (HM)
Last Week: Grand Prix Bern - Champions
After 3 straight QF results, including the Tour Challenge Tier II last weekend, Scotland's Team Craik finally put a full weekend of results together in claiming their first tour title in Bern.
They are also 22-13 on the season and alongside the tour title have 1 SF and 4 QF results through 7 tour events played.
9. Team Krause (NR)
Last Week: Sundbyberg Open - Champions
There is nothing rotten in the state of Denmark right now. The Danish champs are rolling along.
Chalk up a second Nordic Curling Tour title, going back-to-back at the Swedish events, and they now sit atop the NCT standings.
They are now 12-1 on the season as well.
This is a team who will have a lot to prove at European's this season. After going 0-9 in the A-Division last year, Denmark was relegated to B-Division this year.
Consider them the B-Divison #Fav to earn back A-Division promotion now?
10. Team Morozumi (9)
Last Week: DNC
Inactivity will not cause the Tour Challenge Tier II runners-up a slip on the mountain. They are still having a great season.
But it must be tough to be sitting at home watching their rivals, Team Yanagisawa, compete at the Pan Continental Curling Championships this week.
On the plus side, cheering for them only can help Japan in the long run in trying to secure a spot in the 2026 Olympics field.
Honourable Mention: Team Schwaller, Team Edin, Team Carruthers, Team McEwen, Team Sturmay
WOMEN
1. Team Einarson (1)
Last Week: DNC
Team Einarson is in Kelowna as Team Canada competing at the Pan Continental Curling Championships.
Last year they won the bronze medal. This year, can they make their first international final?
They won their opener over B Division champs Chinese Taipei but suffered a loss Sunday night vs. Japan's Team Fujisawa.
They are back on the ice Monday afternoon against Australia.
2. Team Hasselborg (2)
Last Week: DNC
The Hasselborg Family Circus is enjoying much deserved time off.
3. Team Tirinzoni (3)
Last Week: DNC
The Euro Revenge Tour is underway for the world champs. You know they want that Euro title!
4. Team Gim (4)
Last Week: DNC
Team Gim is competing at PCCC in Kelowna as Korean champions.
They are off to a hot start, sitting 2-0 after victories over Mexico and New Zealand. Thus far they have outscored their opposition 25 - 3.
5. Team Jones (5)
Last Week: DNC
The majority of the Tour Challenge champions took the weekend off.
Skipper Jennifer Jones was back on the ice though competing in the Mixed Doubles Super Series, reaching the QF with partner Brent Laing.
6. Team E. Kim (6)
Last Week: North Grenville Women's Fall Curling Classic - QF
The Tour Challenge Tier II champions started strong in Kemptville, qualifying for the playoffs via the A-side.
Unfortunately they ran into a red hot Team Inglis in the QF and took a defeat. But still another solid weekend of curling from the Koreans...who now cheer on rivals Team Gim at PCCC 2023.
7. Team Lawes (7)
Last Week: DNC
The Tour Challenge Tier I runners-up enjoyed a weekend off to relax and recharge.
8. Team Constantini (NR)
Last Week: North Grenville Women's Fall Curling Classic - Champions
The Italians followed up their Tour Challenge Tier I QF result with a second tour final of the season and their first tour title of the year.
Looking for a dark horse team at next month's European Curling Championships? Here they are!
9. Team Schwaller (NR)
Last Week: Sundbyberg Open - Champions
When you win back-to-back tour titles and take over the Nordic Curling Tour lead, the mountain takes notice.
Tirinzoni and Team Jaeggi may get all the Swiss attention but keep your eyes on a very talented Team Schwaller curling fans.
10. Team Morrison (9)
Last Week: DNC
The playoff appearance at the Tour Challenge Tier I keeps the Scottish champs on the mountain and in the Top 10...for now.
But Team Homan is lurking.
As are fellow Euro competitors Team Wrana and Team Dupont.
And watch out for China's Team Han, competing at the PCCC B-Division this week.
Honourable Mention: Team Homan, Team Wrana, Team Yoshimura, Team Dupont, Team Han
MIXED DOUBLES
1. Team Walker / Muyres (1)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - SF
The #1 team on the mountain maintains their position with another deep playoff run.
They are looking to be the best MD team in Canada right now and early #Fav for the Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship title.
2. Team Matsumura / Tanida (5)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - Finalist
Last week they went 4-0 in the RR before losing in the QF.
This week they go 5-0 in the RR and reach the final.
And remember a few weeks ago they went undefeated to claim a tour title.
If it wasn't for that 0-for weekend, they may be ranked #1 right now.
3. Team Koana / Aoki (10)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - Champions
Back-to-back tour titles for the Japanese duo...and in the return for Tori Koana.
This team is looking very confident and dangerous right now.
4. Team Martin / Laycock (3)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - QF
Another solid weekend of mixed doubles curling for this tandem, back together after one week off.
Sure looks like Saskatchewan is producing some great MD curlers right now folks.
5. Team Kaldvee / Lill (2)
Last Week: DNC
They did win a massive title a few weeks ago but inactivity will catch up with you on the mountain.
But they are still the overall Year to Date points leaders for the season remember.
6. Team St-Georges / Asselin (4)
Last Week: DNC
Hopefully the duo is still celebrating their World Mixed Curling Championship bronze medal.
St-Georges was on the ice this weekend with her women's team in Kemptville as well.
Looking forward to seeing the Quebec couple back on the MD ice soon.
7. Team Skaslien / Nedregotten (6)
Last Week: DNC
Inactivity causes slip ups as we know on Power Rankings mountain.
But the Norwegian couple still maintains a spot on the Top 10.
8. Team Armstrong / Griffith (HM)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - QF
A QF result in Moose Jaw moves this B.C. duo back into the Top 10.
9. Team Jones / Laing (NR)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - QF
The Canadian champs returned to the MD ice this weekend and made a playoff push, reaching the QF.
Always considered a threat in any event they enter...especially if they get on a roll and gain some momentum.
10. Team MacMillan / Middleton (7)
Last Week: DNC
The mountain is not ready to remove the #NextGen duo from the Top 10....yet!
Honourable Mention: Team Perret/Rios, Team Kim/Jeong, Team Roenning/Braenden, Team Zheng/Pietrangelo, Team Thevenot/Kalthoff
#StayTuned
Remember the Pan Continental Curling Championships are underway in Kelowna. Nations competing in the A Division are trying to qualify for the 2024 world championships.
ICYMI, the blog released a full preview post breaking down the action in both the A and B Divisions. Check it out HERE.
And stay up to date on all the scores, including those draws not shown on TV, HERE.
The blog will return later in the week with weekend #TourLifePredictions.
Until then, stay safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! 🎃🎃
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