#BetweenTheSheets: Happy Thanksgiving
A Thanksgiving tradition continues in Calgary at the Autumn Gold
Now bring on the curling, right?
The Thanksgiving holiday tradition returns this year with the Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic.
You may remember last year the event was moved due to a scheduling conflict with the Grand Slam of Curling.
We can be thankful those scheduling conflicts are no more.
When we speak of tradition in curling, it is hard to find an event steeped in more tradition than the Autumn Gold Curling Classic.
The event started in 1978 and was once a part of the #gsoc calendar (2006-2014).
When the event first hit the ice at the Calgary Curling Club, the total purse was $10,000 with the winning team receiving $4,000.
Fast forward to today's offering and the total prize purse has increased to $45,000 in 2023, up from $44,000 the past 3 years.
Not only is this event steeped in long history but also #HERstory as being an event dedicated solely to the women's tour.
And not just for Canadian teams either. International teams have been competing since 1987, with the first non-Canadian team winning the title in 1995 (Sweden's Team Elisabet Gustafson).
The event is also notable for producing the first non-Canadian #gsoc champion in 2000 (China's Team Bingyu Wang).
The 1996 (won by Team Shannon Kleibrink) and 2000 (won by Team Amber Holland) editions also served as qualifier events for the 1997 and 2001 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials.
Additional notable Autumn Gold Curling Classic champions include: Marilyn Bodogh, Michelle Englot, Cheryl Bernard, Sandra Schmirler, Sherry Middaugh, Cathy King, Sherry Anderson, Stefanie Lawton, Kelly Scott, Jennifer Jones, Cathy Overton-Clapham, Eve Muirhead, Rachel Homan, Casey Scheidegger, Kerri Einarson, Tabitha Peterson and last year's champion Eun-ji Gim.
And those are just the names of the champions. You can imagine the names of competitors who have graced the ice at Calgary Curling Club over the years.
This is one of the most competitive and high-profile events on tour every season, often attracting the best of the best around the world.
If you are in or around the Calgary area this holiday weekend, stop by and check out the action live. It is an event not to be missed.
As we give thanks, we say Thank You to Curlers Corner for being an on-going main sponsor and to Calgary Curling Club for continuing to offer the Autumn Gold Curling Classic every year.
The blog will be there this weekend...and you may just hear the #TwineTime voice on live commentary duty, starting with the two evening draws on Friday. #YowieWowie
Of course, the Autumn Gold Curling Classic is not the only event happening this weekend. Lets give thanks to all the tour events hitting the ice and special thanks to those event coordinators, board members, ice crew members and volunteers who will work during the holiday weekend to bring us great curling action. THANK YOU!
#TourLifePredictions
ICYMI, the updated #PowerRankings were released earlier this week. Check out the new Top 10 HERE.
It is preview and prediction time.
WOMEN
Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic
Calgary, AB
2022 Champion: Team Gim
Format: 32 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers
#Fav: Team Fujisawa
To say Team Fujisawa enjoys competing at this event might be an understatement. When they are here, they are usually thriving.
And being a huge fan favourite.
Last season Fujisawa had to skip this event due to competing (and eventually winning) the Pan Continental Curling Championship just down the road at WinSport.
But the 3 events prior to last year (2021, 2019, 2018) have seen the Japanese team find great success.
Just look at the results: 2021 - Finalist, 2019 - SF, 2018 - QF.
Improvement every time. And look at the one result missing from their resume: Champion.
Is this the year? They already have 1 title to their credit this season, could this be #2?
The draw sets up nicely for them, from a ranking comparison standpoint at least. Anything short of another playoff bracket appearance would be surprising for how talented this team is and how deep the tradition of success has been here.
#TeamUpset: Team Abbes
This is a transition year for German women's curling. With the Jentsch sisters stepping away from the game during the offseason, former vice Emira Abbes has stepped in to lead the team.
The 27-year old has a strong international resume, from 2 European bronze medals (2018, 2021) to 5 world championship appearances.
But now she is in the house and skipping the team. The pressure hits different.
Going into the season, the question surrounding the national team was how Abbes would handle the pressure. And, how the rest of the team, also new, would respond.
They failed to qualify at their 2 opening events of the season, posting a 3-5 record overall in Stirling and Basel.
But last weekend they seemed to find their momentum and confidence, going 5-2 and winning bronze at the tour event in Prague.
Abbes will be familiar with this venue as well as Team Jentsch was a regular attendee of this event over the years.
The opening game will be tough, drawing Team Marks fresh off a Sweep16 appearance last weekend as well.
And, should they win, they could see Fujisawa in R2.
Do not sleep on them either though.
#W2W4
The Asian Sensation sweeping the sport!
The blog has noted in past posts this season how strong Asian teams are competing, and contending, for tour titles.
Team Fujisawa. Team Yoshimura. Team Ha. Team Han. Team Wang.
These teams have already picked up titles this season. And Fujisawa and Ha will be in Calgary.
Not to mention Korea's Team Gim trying to #DefendTheIce and proving to always be a threat.
Japan's Team Kanai and Team Tabata have also been consistent this season and could be flying under the radar here.
Canada has not produced a champion at this event since Team Einarson went back-to-back in 2018/2019.
To reclaim the title on home soil, the Canadian teams will likely have to take down Asia. But can they do it?
#PopcornMatch
Team Ha vs. Team Kim - Draw 1: Anytime we see an all-Korean battle on the ice, expect a good game.
Team Galusha vs. Team Englot - Draw 1: The #PolarPower is coming to Calgary! You can bet they will be a fan favourite as well. And Galusha may just have some home ice advantage with family in the crowd.
Team Martin vs. Team Holland - Draw 2: What an opener for two of the top teams from Saskatchewan. And we have already seen these teams face off at a tour event a few weeks ago. Holland won the game. Does Martin get revenge or does Holland have her number?
Qualifiers: Team Fujisawa, Team Gim, Team Cameron, Team Skrlik, Team T. Peterson, Team Ha, Team Jaeggi, Team Brown
Championship: Team Fujisawa def. Team Skrlik
Stu Sells Tankard
Barrie, ONT
2022 Champion: Team Tirinzoni
Format: 24 team RR with 4 pools of 6. Top 8 qualify.
#Fav: Team Yoshimura
The #PowerRankings have been high on Japan's Yoshimura this season...and for obvious reasons.
6 events. 6 qualifiers. 3 finals. 2 titles.
What more does the blog need to say?
World rankings be damned, as Yoshimura sits #21. At least they earned a #gsoc invite to the Tour Challenge Tier II.
This is a very strong team. And they are coming off a finals appearance at the Shorty Jenkins a few weeks ago.
They were drawn into Group D, a favourable draw for them.
But that RR clash with Team McCarville should be fun!
#TeamUpset: Team Han
The blog went in on buying Team Han stock during the pre-season, listing the Chinese team as a #TeamUpset in the preview post.
Well, look what they have done!
2 events under the slider. 1 tour title. 1 SF finish. An impressive 12-1 record on the season.
And don't say they have not played anyone. A few notables who have fallen victim to Han this season: Team Fujisawa, Team Jaeggi, Team Brown, Team Cameron.
They started the season ranked #116 in the world. Fast forward to the world rankings this week and Team Han is up to #50.
So yes, the blog will continue to toot its own horn on calling Team Han a #TeamUpset to watch this season.
This will be a fun draw to watch with Han competing in Group C. And the schedule gods obviously favour the Asian combo of Han and Japan's Team Kitazawa. While being drawn into the same group, they avoid playing one another as each team plays 4 RR games yet there are 6 teams per pool.
Hmmm....
#W2W4
Can the blog use the same answer here as above with the Autumn Gold Curling Classic?
There are top contending Asian nations in Barrie this weekend, similar to Calgary.
Korea's Team E. Kim is always a threat. Japan will have the dangerous duo of Yoshimura and Kitazawa.
And we already discussed China's Han. China will have another rising team competing too with Team Wang, who just won a tour title last weekend.
But do not undersell Canada either, led by Team McCarville. Remember, McCarville won their opening tour event of the season last month so they have momentum and confidence with the new line up.
And pay attention to Group A. It is wide open.
Team Burns. Team Mann. Team Hardy. Team Walsh. Team Zemmelink. All 5 have the opportunity to make a statement this weekend.
And Switzerland's Team Huerlimann will be one tough team to get through to qualify. They currently sit #19 on the world rankings and also booked a ticket to the Tour Challenge Tier II.
#PopcornMatch
Team Duncan vs. Team Wang - Draw 3: Winner should have the inside track to the playoffs from Pool C.
Team McCarville vs. Team Yoshimura - Draw 16: Blockbuster RR game between 2 teams favoured to take home the title this weekend. A finals preview perhaps?
Team E. Kim vs. Team Duncan - Draw 17: If either slips up earlier in the RR, this game could become a de facto playoff eliminator.
Qualifiers: Team Huerlimann, Team Kitazawa, Team E. Kim, Team Yoshimura, Team McCarville, Team Han, Team Wang, Team Burns
Championship: Team Yoshimura def. Team McCarville
New Scotland Brewing Co. Women's Cashspiel
Halifax, NS
2022 Champion: Team Black
Format: 6 team RR with 3 qualifiers.
#Fav: Team Black
Bet on Black!
The blog said to bet on Team Black at the #Sweep16 last weekend in the podcast preview with Felix Asselin.
Asselin didn't agree. Others didn't agree.
And look who was laughing loudest!
Black proved to be a Bracket Buster by reaching the Final Four and reminding curling fans just how good this team is. And they are making a move up the Power Rankings mountain.
Now they head back home and look to #DefendTheIce in Halifax.
Do you want to Bet against Black now?
#TeamUpset: Team Godsland
They may be ranked #135 on the world rankings but how many sub-100 teams have played an event this season and won a tour title?
Godsland made their season debut a few weekends ago at the Rick Rowsell and, after posting a 4-2 RR record to reach the final, they surprised favourites (and defending #TeamRock champions) Team Curtis in the final.
And after dropping both RR games to Curtis, they pulled the ultimate #TeamUpset winning the biggest game of the trio in the finale.
Could they do the same in Halifax?
#W2W4
This will be a classic Atlantic bragging rights event.
We have Nova Scotia represented.
We have New Brunswick represented.
We have Newfoundland and Labrador represented.
If only PEI was making the trip off the island to have a team in the field.
Regardless, the Atlantic provinces are like a family. They love to compete against one another and prove which is the best. But they also support one another and cheer one another on.
One province will end up with early season bragging rights here.
And keep one eye on Nova Scotia's Team Christenson. Marie Christenson has joined forces with a powerhouse team out of Halifax: Jill Brothers, Heather Smith and Erin Carmody.
Very, very dangerous and talented foursome right there.
#PopcornMatch
Team Black vs. Team Christenson: A NS Scotties final preview in October?
Team Adams vs. Team Black: A 2024 STOH RR preview in October?
Qualifiers: Team Black, Team Christenson, Team Hilliard
Championship: Team Black def. Team Christenson
Regina Highland Rocktoberfest
Regina, SK
2022 Champion: Team Barker
Format: 18 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers.
#Fav: Team Barker
The champs are back to #DefendTheIce in Regina.
And is there a team perhaps flying more under the radar out of Saskatchewan right now?
Lets remember Barker is a past Saskatchewan champion. And the team is ranked #36 in the world, just missing the cut line for the Tour Challenge Tier II.
They have already played 2 events this season, reaching the SF in Winnipeg and the QF in Saskatoon.
With all the focus being on Team Martin in Saskatchewan, is the pressure off the shoulders of Barker?
And, if so, does that actually make them more dangerous now then when they were considered a major SK Scotties threat?
This will be a good weekend to find out against other top Sask challengers.
The draw is interesting as they receive an opening round bye and only need to 1 game to reach an A-qualifier and 2 wins to reach the playoffs.
But that opening game may be more tricky than meets the eye as they draw....
#TeamUpset: Team Orsted
Sherrilee Orsted from Moose Jaw may not be the most well-recognized name to casual curling fans but do not turn your head away from this team.
We saw Orsted compete in Saskatoon a few weeks ago, knocking off higher ranked Team Martin in the QF and reaching the SF (lost to Sherry Anderson).
A 4-1 start to the season with a SF appearance is a strong opener for any team.
Moreso for a team currently ranked #97 in the world.
In Saskatoon, they were the lower ranked team in 4 of their 5 games. And they won 3 of them.
The opening game against defending champs Team Barker should be one to watch.
If the Saskatoon results were not a "fluke" and Orsted is to be taken serious as a SK Scotties challenger this season, a strong game against Barker is needed (win or lose).
#W2W4
With Martin, Amber Holland and Michelle Englot deciding to compete in Calgary this weekend, this field is scattered with SK Scotties challengers.
Yes, Barker is a main SK Scotties contender. As is Sherry Anderson.
But who else can step up and challenge the "big names" in Sask curling this season?
This weekend can be a massive slide in the right direction for those teams who are successful in surviving the triple knockout bracket and qualifying for the playoffs.
Plus picking up valuable Sask Tour points (and money) is always something to be thankful for!
#PopcornMatch
Team Barker vs. Team Orsted - Draw 2: As noted above with #Fav vs. #TeamUpset
Team Anderson vs. Team Tisdale - Draw 2: Similar to the other Draw 2 battle, we have a #Fav vs. a team who could be a future Sask #TeamUpset flag bearer.
Qualifiers: Team Barker, Team Anderson, Team Mitchell, Team Selzer, Team Just, Team Pomedli, Team Stevenson, Team Tisdale
Championship: Team Anderson def. Team Barker
MEN
McKee Homes Fall Curling Classic
Airdrie, AB
2022 Champion: Team Sturmay
Format:
#Fav: Team Hirata
Japan's Team Hirata may not be getting all the buzz and excitement in the early part of the season but one should not be overlooking them either.
Currently ranked #42 in the world, they sit as the #4 ranked Japanese team in the world behind Team Yanagisawa (#17), Team Morozumi (#30) and Team Sato (#41).
But Hirata has had a great season thus far too.
They won their season opener in Hokkaido. They reached another final in Kitami. And a QF in Tokoro.
Now we will see how they handle competing in Canada, away from the friendly and familiar ice of Japan.
Their advantage could be unfamiliarity from other teams. Teams may not know them or seen them play so you are stepping on the ice with an unknown.
This is a sneaky dangerous team. Watch out Alberta!
#TeamUpset: Team Hood
Ok, maybe some blog bias here as anyone who follows #TwineTime knows the love the blog has towards the Kiwi Curlers.
But there is validity in this #TeamUpset mention.
For one, the team welcomed lead Hunter Walker to Calgary this week.
With Walker joining his team, the New Zealand champs are back to 3/4 strength. And vice Ben Smith is closing in with a positive recovery from his surgery.
It has been a mixed bag of emotions for Team Hood since arriving in Canada.
On the positive, they are rock stars. Media outlets covering their arrival. Fans gravitating towards them. These boys are more popular than most Canadian teams right now.
On the flip side, Smith went down with a surgery. Walker was not able to join them right away. They have been competing with a 50% team while picking up Super Spares. And after competing in 2 events, they sit with a season record of 1-6.
But things are looking up and as the team gets closer to being at full strength, the positive results should start pouring in. Remember, they are preparing for the upcoming Pan Continental Curling Championships in a few weeks, trying to replicate their performance of last year and earn a ticket to the 2024 world championship.
The triple knockout draw won't be easy. They get veteran, and last year quarter-finalist, Rob Johnson to open and, should they win, could find themselves up against Johnson Tao.
Hmmm, Tao is a recently announced Men of Curling calendar model. Where is Anton Hood's invite and/or announcement?
#W2W4
Alberta vs. The World.
Since 2013, this event has crowned an Alberta champion every year.
Past winners include Karsten Sturmay (2022), Aaron Sluchinski (2015, 2014), Jeremy Harty (2019, 2018) and Ryan Jacques (2020) to name a few.
Airdrie, Alberta has been very kind to home province teams.
Can the trend continue in 2023?
Alberta will be represented by 12 of the 16 teams in the field. The odds are in their favour to continue the streak.
Trying to stop them? 2023 world junior champ Team Fei from China. 2022 Olympic Zou Qiang from China. And of course Japan's Hirata and New Zealand's Team Hood.
This is the strongest international competition this event has seen since 2019 when Russia's Team Glukhov lost the final to Harty.
Alberta has the advantage. But it won't come easy to defend the streak.
#PopcornMatch
Team Hood vs. Team Johnson - Draw 1: Welcome back Hunter! With the front end pairing of Walker-Sargon back together, could that help Hood pick up a much needed W?
Team Fei vs. Team Konschuh - Draw 1: Fei may not be getting a ton of coverage but the world junior champs are a dangerous team. Remember their names now.
Team Parent vs. Team Zou - Draw 1: Parent defeated Zou in Okotoks for their only win of the event. Rematch!
Qualifiers: Team Jacques, Team Tao, Team Hirata, Team Zou, Team Fei, Team Libbus, Team Adams, Team Hood
Championship: Team Jacques def Team Hirata
Stu Sells Tankard
Barrie, ONT
2022 Champion: Team Edin
Format: 24 team RR with 4 pools of 6. Top 8 qualify.
#Fav: Team Kleiter
Ok, this may be a bit of a "surprise" pick to list Rylan Kleiter as the #Fav but hear me out.
The #NextGen stud is having a tremendous start to the season...and with a slightly altered lineup in bringing in Matt Hall from Ontario.
They won the U25 #NextGen Classic. They reached a SF in Leduc. They went 3-3 in Okotoks, losing the B and C-qualifier games.
And lets not forget what they did last weekend at the PointsBet Invitational. They were huge underdogs in their opener vs. Team Koe and pulled off the Bracket Buster upset of the event. Kleiter looked to be in control of the QF game vs. Team Carruthers, having hammer in 8 of a tie game.
He elected to make a runback double rather than the tap and missed it. Carruthers won...and won the title.
But Kleiter has to take some confidence out of that...and a learning experience as well perhaps?
If this team walks into Barrie with a much deserved swagger and finds the positive momentum, why can't they be considered a #Fav to stand tall in the winner's circle?
They have a fun draw, being placed in Pool A with USA's Shuster, Korea's Park, Brier-experienced Mike Fournier and fellow #NextGen stud Tanner Horgan.
#TeamUpset: Team Arsenault
Outside of Team Asselin, we do not often get to discuss Quebec men's curling. But could Team Arsenault be the next team to watch out for out of La belle province?
They won a tour title last weekend in Valleyfield, knocking off Asselin in the final. And they arrive in Barrie on a 6-match winning streak.
While they may have opened their season in August at the Summer Series event in St-Felicien with a 2-2 record, failing to qualify, they now sit with a 8-2 record on the season and a tour title.
Besides, how much stock do we really put in August curling in Canada? Most curling clubs do not even have ice yet, right?
Arsenault will be tested in Barrie, being placed in perhaps the #GroupOfDeath in Pool C.
If they want to qualify and keep the winning streak alive, they are going to have to get through some familiar names like Owen Purcell, Andrin Schnider, John Epping and Rich Ruohonen.
Pool C is going to a dog fight!
#W2W4
With respect to those competing this weekend, this year's edition of the Tankard is missing some star power.
Defending champ Team Edin is not here. Last year's runner-up Team Ramsfjell is not here. Last year's semi-finalist Team Schwaller is not here. Last year's quarter-finalist Team Retornaz is not here.
Past champions Brad Gushue (2021, 2017), Reid Carruthers (2018, 2014) and Mike McEwen (2015) are not here.
So who will step up and be the star of the 2023 event?
Past champ Glenn Howard (2013, 2010) is here. As is John Epping (2020).
And there is still strong international representation from USA (Shuster, Casper, Dunnam and Ruohonen), Korea (Park, Jeong), Switzerland (Hoesli, Schnider) and Japan (Morozumi).
Do not overlook the #NextGen teams as well. There are a number of them who could make this event their coming out party this season. Watch out for Kleiter, Purcell, Mooibroek, Manuel and Horgan.
Yes, the "star power" may look different than year's past but it does not mean the stars are not still shining.
#PopcornMatch
Draw 1: All 4 games are CRITICAL for the 8 teams playing. Wins will give the inside track to the playoff path. Loses will leave those teams facing a long road ahead.
Team Kleiter vs. Team Shuster - Draw 4: If Kleiter is to truly establish himself as a #Fav, knocking off an Olympic champion is a great statement win.
Team Howard vs. Team Morozumi - Draw 6: Name recognition alone makes this a Must Watch game.
Team Hoesli vs. Team Manuel - Draw 8: A great battle of up and coming teams to watch out for.
Team Kleiter vs. Team Horgan - Draw 13: Here are two skips with a ton of junior experience, both looking to make their name in the men's game now. Could this be a future Brier final pairing between Rylan and Tanner?
Team Mooibroek vs. Team Purcell - Draw 17: What a final RR game for both teams. Consider this a de facto elimination/qualification game. The winner should be in position for a playoff spot. The loser is probably going home early.
Qualifiers: Team Kleiter, Team Hoesli, Team Epping, Team Morozumi, Team Shuster, Team Jeong, Team Purcell, Team Howard
Championship: Team Epping def. Team Morozumi
New Scotland Brewing Co. Men's Cashspiel
Halifax, NS
2022 Champion: Team Purcell
Format: 8 team RR. Top 4 qualify.
#Fav: Team Grattan
James Grattan should always be considered a dangerous skip to play against.
With 14 Brier appearances under his slider, including 2 bronze medal wins (2002, 1997), his resume speaks for itself.
Grattan will have a slightly new look to his team this year though, joining forces with #NextGen athlete Joel Krats.
You may remember Krats being a member of the junior Super Team out of Nova Scotia, skipped by Owen Purcell, in 2022. The team would win the Canadian junior qualifier and win a bronze medal at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships representing Canada.
The Grattan-Krats pairing could be a wise one for both players.
Grattan gets a young buck behind him with lots of experience and a willingness to learn from experience.
Krats gets the opportunity to curl with a New Brunswick legend and Brier fan fav.
Plus, for Krats, this is his 3rd province to represent as he previously curled out of his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador and then out of Nova Scotia with Team Purcell.
Maybe New Brunswick will be his lucky province to secure his first Brier appearance with Jimmy the Kid?
#TeamUpset: Team Everist
Bryce Everist has been a Nova Scotia curler the blog has been keeping an eye for a number of years.
Perhaps more known for his mixed doubles success, being a provincial champion and competing at 4 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championships (2023, 2021, 2019, 2018) with wife Karlee Everist.
But the success on the men's game has still been waiting in the wings, while wife Karlee is finding great success playing second with Team Black.
His best men's season was playing with Team Kendal Thompson in 2020 and finishing runner-up at the Nova Scotia Tankard.
Last season, Everist was playing vice. This season he has moved up to skip.
It is the same team as last year though, with Everist and Paul Dexter swapping backend positions.
Could this be the breakout year many have been expecting to see out of Everist?
This will be their first event of the season so there could be a little dust on those sliders. But if they can pick up some wins early, they could be the perfect #TeamUpset flag bearer in Halifax.
#W2W4
Similar to the women's preview, we get a Battle of the Atlanic.
And similar to the women's #W2W4, we see 3 of the 4 provinces represented.
Where the men differ from the women is the men will welcome PEI representation (Team Smith) while not seeing a team from The Rock in the field.
Either way, the storylines remain the same in both fields.
This is a great opportunity to showcase strong Atlantic Canada curling.
Teams who may be friendly and supportive off the ice but have a rivalry build on tradition on the ice.
Nova Scotia has the home ice advantage with half the field representing the Bluenose.
New Brunswick will have 3 teams in the field though.
And PEI, as mentioned, will send their champions as The Little Island That Could.
Which province will earn early season Atlantic bragging rights?
#PopcornMatch
Team Grattan vs. Team Smith - Draw 2: Experience vs. #NextGen...and both with Brier experience.
Team Grattan vs. Team Everist - Draw 4: If Everist is going to make a playoff push, this would a game to show they are ready.
Qualifiers: Team Grattan, Team Smith, Team MacDougall, Team Everist
Championship: Team Grattan def. Team Smith
Regina Highland SaskTour Spiel
Regina, SK
2022 Champion: Team Carss
Format: 18 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers.
#Fav: Team Jacobson
They may not be the highest ranked team in the field, sitting #58 in the world, but when you open your season with a tour title and a perfect 4-0 record you deserve the accolaids.
Not only did Jacobson win the title in Saskatoon last month, in doing so they knocked off 2 of the biggest SK Tankard names: Team Knapp (defending provincial champs) and Team Hartung.
Oh, and they beat them both...TWICE! One each to qualify and one each again in the playoffs.
Talk about a confidence boost to start a season.
Now we will see if they can continue their momentum.
#TeamUpset: Team Carss
Can the defending champs be considered #TeamUpset flag bearers?
Well when the defending champs are ranked #82 in the world, yup I think that meets the qualification standard.
Not to mention, in comparison to the teams in this field, they fall below 5 other teams.
But lets not undersell them either. They are here to #DefendTheIce after all.
Last season they surprised a few teams winning this title, qualifying A-side and going 6-0 overall. Along the way they knocked off eventual SK Tankard champ Team Knapp (SF) and a familiar name in Dallan Muyres (A-SF).
We saw them hit the ice in Saskatoon a few weeks ago for their season opener, posting a 2-2 record and making the QF.
The 2 losses: Team Knapp (A-QF) and Team Hartung (QF). Nothing to hang your head about.
They are the hunted this weekend though so that may be a bit new.
Can they replicate the feat in 2023?
#W2W4
You gotta love these provincial tour battleground events.
Load up the best of the best in a single province for an event and see who emerges victorious.
Outside of Team McEwen, Team Kleiter and Team Hartun, all the big names in SK curling are here competing.
Knapp. Laycock. Jacobson. Kalthoff. Springer. Carss. Bernath. Heidt (x2). Drewitz. Gamble. Bryden.
This event will be a mini SK Tankard.
Jacobson took bragging rights to open the season in Saskatchewan.
Can he do it again or will another team step up and show they are to be considered a main contender for #TeamGreen status this season?
Who can pulverize the opposition with a Sask Slam? Score the Slaying of The Sheaf? A Prairie Piledriver to the opposition?
Ok...you get the point.
#PopcornMatch
Team Jacobson vs. Team Gamble - Draw 1: The rankings did not hand Jacobson the opening round bye so it will be a slightly longer road to the playoffs. And Gamble is not to be overlooked.
Team Laycock vs. Team Knapp - Possible Draw 2: If both win their opener games, this would be a huge A-SF. Imagine a draw where these two names are placed right beside one another this early? Wow!
Qualifiers: Team Kalthoff, Team Laycock, Team Jacobson, Team Knapp, Team Bernath, Team J. Heidt, Team Carss, Team Springer
Championship: Team Laycock def. Team Knapp
There is a BLOCKBUSTER Mixed Doubles event this weekend in Sherwood Park, AB as well.
Just look at this entry list:
- Shannon Birchard/John Morris.
- Tahli Gill/Dean Hewitt.
- Rachel Homan/Tyler Tardi.
- Jennifer Jones/Brent Laing.
- Marie Kaldvee/Harri Lill.
- Chiaki Matsumura/Yasumasa Tanida.
- Jenny Peret/Martin Rios.
- Jocelyn Peterman/Brett Gallant.
- Laura Walker/Kirk Muyres.
- Therese Westman/Robin Ahlberg.
And that is just 10 of the 18 teams entered in the RR format event.
Only EIGHT (8!!) are going to reach the playoffs, meaning VERY GOOD teams will not have a MD weekend to be thankful for.
4 of the 10 teams listed above find themselves in Pool C together! Yikes!
Keep your eyes on that event as well rockheads. It should be a fun one.
Note, we also have another Euro Qualifier to keep our eyes on this weekend.
This time the focus will be on Germany with Team Kapp (#39) vs. Team Totzek (#88) in a Best-of-5 format in Fuessen. The winner will head to Aberdeen, Scotland for the 2023 European Curling Championships to represent Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Good luck to both teams.
#StayTuned
The blog will be at the Calgary Curling Club this weekend, providing live commentary during the Autumn Gold Curling Classic.
Check it out on YouTube if you want to hear how I do in my commentary debut.
For those competing this weekend, good luck and good curling.
Always remember the #PowerRankings are watching. 👀👀
Hmmm, should the Power Rankings start including Mixed Doubles? Thoughts?
(Also a test to see if you even read to the end of this blog post 😂😂)
No comments:
Post a Comment