Tour Challenge Preview

 #BetweenTheSheets: Tour Challenge Preview

Welcome to #SlamSeason

Knock, Knock

Who's there?

Orange

Orange who?

Orange you glad it's Tour Challenge Time?!

This joke has been used over and over again for these Tour Challenge preview blog posts.

And I just cannot help myself from doing so again this year. #SorryNotSorry

But when your favourite colour is orange and the sport you blog about bring orange rings to the rink, can you really blame me? 🟠

Bring on the Tide Pod Challenge....err, I mean the Grand Slam of Curling Tour Challenge.

#IYKYK 😉

64 teams have arrived in Niagara Falls, Ontario with champaign wishes and caviar dreams.

16 men's and women's teams will compete in the Tier I.

16 men's and women's teams will compete in the Tier II.

Come Championship Sunday, 4 teams will be left standing as season-opening #GSOC Champions! 🏆

Remember, the Tier II champions will earn their spot in the 2024 Canadian Open in January.

We saw the Tour Challenge expand last season and it was met with praise.

For the most part.

What the blog did NOT like last year, remains the same this year.

When you go to a 16 team RR with 4 pools of 4, you end up having teams play 4 other teams from another pool but never against the teams in your own pool.

This can led to "pool stacking" where 1 pool dominates the other and can "stack" the playoff bracket.

We saw this happen last year in the men's Tier I with Pool C vs. Pool D.

Team Koe emerged as the only playoff team in Pool D, qualifying with a 2-2 record, while Team Retornaz and Team Edin (both 4-0 RR records) and Team Schwaller (3-1) reaching the playoffs from Pool C.

Last year's women's Tier I saw a similar issue with Pool B vs. Pool C. All 4 Pool B teams reached at least a TB while Pool C was left with 2 teams fighting for a playoff spot, also through the TB round.

The men's Tier II also saw a similar issue.

Is this the format we want to see and the results we hope for with this format? I am not so sure.

Of course note there are NO TB GAMES at #gsoc events this season, minus the Players' Championship. If teams are tied for playoff spots, the Last Stone Draw (LSD) numbers will be the decider.

Last year #TwineTime made a "radical" format suggestion, stating maybe we keep each team playing 3 RR games against the teams in their pool and then eliminate the final RR game for an all-inclusive #Sweep16 playoff round.

The final RR draw becomes an elimination playoff bracket draw and all 16 teams qualify for the playoff regardless of RR record.

The teams would be reseeded based on RR record (with LSD as the TB) and the #Sweep16 bracket would be made.

We get the best of both worlds. A pool play format with an expanded single-elimination playoff bracket.

Everyone wins, no?

ICYMI, check out the full suggestion from the past HERE

On the positive note, this field really could not get any better. From just a rankings perspective, only 2 of the Top 32 men's teams (Team Asselin, Team Knapp) and only 1 of the Top 32 women's teams (Team Brown) are not in the field.

These truly are the best teams in the world competing on Tier I and Tier II this week rockheads.

Enjoy the ride!

Note: For this preview, since the teams are not actually competing against their pool opponents, there is no point in doing a pool preview. Instead, the 16 teams will be seeded for the preview based on their current world ranking (qualification cutoff was Sept. 18 but we will use current ranking). On the positive, this way all 64 teams are included. The teams actual world ranking position is in parenthesis.

And the blog #PowerRankings were updated yesterday if you want to compare. 😉

#TourLifePredictions

Tour Challenge

Niagara Falls, ON

2021 Champions: Team Edin, Team Homan (Tier I), Team Dropkin, Team Grandy (Tier II))

Format: 16 team RR with 4 pools of 4. Top 8 qualify.

Tier I

MEN

1. Team Bottcher (1) 

Schedule: Gosgens, Gushue, Dunstone, Dropkin

Season Record: 20-3

No team arrives with a hotter hand than Team Bottcher. They are coming off their 3rd tour title out of 3 tour events. Yes, they lost in the QF at the PointsBet Invitational but that does not count as a tour event.

With only 2 losses this season (Team Wiebe, Team Koe), should anyone really bet against them in Niagara Falls?

They are on a 6-match winning streak right now and are 5-1 this season against the field.

Last time we saw Bottcher at a slam, the team was winning the season-ending Champions Cup in Regina.

Those middle two RR games though, vs. Gushue and Dunstone, will be the #PopcornMatch draws for them.

2. Team Mouat (2)

Schedule: Shuster, Whyte, Koe, Retornaz

Season Record: 20-5

A hot start to the season has become a mild Fall afternoon for the world champions.

They dominated at their opening 2 tour events, winning back-to-back titles and posting an impressive 13-1 record.

Even heading into their 3rd event, reaching the QF, they were on a 16-match winning streak.

Since the playoff appearance in Corwall, they are 2-4 with the QF loss and failing to qualify last weekend. 

They arrive here on a 3-match losing streak as well, losing to fellow Tier I teams Romsfjell and Gosgens.

Which team shows up here? The one who was blitzing the competition at the start of the season or the one in an early season slump?

You know the #PopcornMatch to watch: All-Scottish Battle vs. Whyte!

3. Team Retornaz (3)

Schedule: Yanagisawa, Carruthers, Edin, Mouat

Season Record: 18-2

3 events into the season and the Italian Stallions have an impressive qualification record: Champion, SF, QF.

They also opened their season on a 13-match winning streak.

This team has never looked as good and as confident as they do right now, making them perhaps the most dangerous team in the field.

Plus, remember they have Ryan Fry on the coaching bench now. Fry could be the wildcard to help land the Italians another #gsoc title this week.

Watch for their #PopcornMatch vs. Edin. Edin counts for 1 of their losses earlier this season (Epping the other).

4. Team Gushue (4)

Schedule: Sluchinski, Bottcher, Schwaller, Ramsfjell

Season Record: 6-3

Will the real Brad Gushue please stand up?

The record for the season is a bit of a head scratcher but that is what happens when we have only seen the Canadian champs at 1 tour event (QF - Shorty Jenkins) and the SF loss at the PointsBet Invitational.

We know Team Gushue. We know they are always a threat. But we haven't really seen them play this season.

On the flip side, Gushue has 14 slam titles (most of anyone) and has reached the SF round in 15 of the past 16 slam events.

The blog talks consistency, consistency, consistency...well Gushue has it!

This is a big event for them too. Not only is it in the opening slam but this is also a tune-up for the upcoming Pan Continental Curling Championships, where they will try to qualify Canada for the world championship.

Watch for that salivating Gushue vs. Bottcher #PopcornMatch folks.

5. Team Schwaller (5) 

Schedule: Dropkin, Dunstone, Gushue, Gosgens

Season Record: 14-6

Is Team Schwaller still the "fly under the radar" championship threat?

This team continues to be one of the best in the world yet people never talk about them being a #gsoc main contender. Why?

They have put together a solid season already, qualifying in all 3 tour events and reaching each stage (Final, SF, QF).

The middle of their schedule will determine if they reach the playoffs. Knock off one (or both) of Dunstone/Gushue and you are in a good spot. Lose both and you are in trouble.

6. Team Koe (6) 

Schedule: Carruthers, Yanagisawa, Mouat, Edin

Season Record: 14-5

2 tour events. 2 finals. 2 championship losses to Bottcher.

That is the season thus far for Kevin Koe and company.

They are on a bit of a roll right now though, winning 7 straight games last weekend in Dundas before the finals loss to rival Bottcher.

And note the last time we saw Koe on #gsoc ice was a Players' Championship win near the end of last season.

The lineup looks slightly different of course with Jacques Gauthier in and Brad Thiessen out but the results could be similar.

Those closing RR games will be key to their success. They need to knock off one of their European opponents to make the playoffs.

7. Team Dunstone (7) 

Schedule: Ramsfjell, Schwaller, Bottcher, Sluchinski

Season Record: 6-2

The Sheriff may come to the orange rings with a slight chip on the shoulder, looking for revenge after the finals loss last year to 3-man Team Edin.

And we still do not know what to make of Team Dunstone this season. They lost in the QF at their lone tour event (Okotoks) but did reach the final (again) at the PointsBet.

But 8 games played is not alot to go off of, especially when some of their opposition has been playing almost every weekend.

A bit of slider rust on a light early schedule could haunt the team?

Their #PopcornMatch is out of the gate against 2 Euro teams. Go 2-0 and you are sitting pretty. Trip up early and those Matty Dunstone finger nails are going to be bit off by the time they play Bottcher.

8. Team Whyte (8)

Schedule: Edin, Mouat, Yanagisawa, Carruthers

Season Record: 26-7

What a season young Whyte is having folks.

A SF at their season opener in Baden was followed be 3 straight final appearances, including winning the Shorty Jenkins.

So what do we make of last weekend's 2-3 record and failing to qualify?

A one off? Bit of too much curling early tiredness catching up to them?

Tough to say.

We are still waiting for the big slam breakthrough for Whyte, having reached the QF 4 out of 10 appearances but never beyond. Is this the time?

The front of the schedule is loaded with tough games vs. Edin and rival Mouat. An 0-2 record out of the gate might be too much to make up later.

9. Team Edin (9)

Schedule: Whyte, Shuster, Retornaz, Koe

Season Record: 12-6

The champs are here. And all of them are ready to get on the ice with King Niklas looking good, feeling fine and ready to chase down more titles.

It has been an "average" season thus far for the Swedish Vikings. Average by their standards I say with respect.

1 finals appearance. 1 QF appearance. 1 Did Not Qualify (last weekend in Dundas).

They are averaging 2 losses per event this season. 2 losses here might get you sent home early.

If they are planning to make #HIStory as the first team to #3peat, having won the title in 2016 and last year, they will need to buck their event trend of 2 losses per event.

The 2018 Olympic final rematch vs. Shuster is always a #PopcornMatch just on sentiment alone.

But the game vs. Retornaz could be the big deciding factor on whether Edin is playing into the weekend or going home early as the defending champ.

10. Team Ramsfjell (10)

Schedule: Dunstone, Dropkin, Gosgens, Gushue

Season Record: 13-9

Surprised to see the young Norwegians ranked in the Top 10? 

If so, maybe keep your eyes on them this weekend and they can show you why they are there...and here!

Remember their #gsoc debut at the 2022 Masters? They reached the SF.

They are prone to taking a loss or two at an event of course but they also have 1 final appearance and 2 QF results under the slider this season.

And 1 of those QF results was last weekend, losing to Bottcher in the playoffs.

They get the Double D, Double G draw, facing Dunstone/Dropkin early and ending with Gosgens/Gushue.

11. Team Dropkin (11) 

Schedule: Schwaller, Ramsfjell, Sluchinski, Bottcher

Season Record: 14-8

After 3 straight appearances in the Tier II, Korey Dropkin is finally skipping his Young Bucks in the Tier I event.

Don't get me wrong though, the Tour Challenge has been a positive event for Dropkin. He is the defending two-time Tier II champion (2019, 2022) after all.

But no #DefendTheIce scenario this year and no #3peat for him. Now he is competing with the "big boys" in the Tier I.

This could be the #TeamUpset of the event folks.

They are coming off a championship final appearance at the US Open a few weeks ago and have reached a SF and QF as well this season.

If Dropkin is to make a run here, the middle RR games are the deciders. Games against #10 Ramsfjell and #13 Sluchinski are must win games towards a playoff ticket.

Lose one, or both, and you need to upset the higher ranked teams and possibly hope for some help.

Take note as well with Korey Dropkin throwing fourth stones but Andrew Stopera skipping the game.

12. Team Carruthers (12) 

Schedule: Koe, Retornaz, Shuster, Whyte

Season Record: 11-4

We haven't seen Carruthers on the ice since the PointsBet Invitational championship win.

That win was on October 1, 16 days ago.

Will they still have any momentum from that event carrying into this slam? Hard to say.

The schedule right out of the hack is no easy task in drawing Koe and Retornaz, both coming off strong results last weekend on the ice.

The final RR game vs. Whyte could be the #PopcornMatch of the event for them though and serve as a potential de facto elimination game for either (or both) teams.

13. Team Sluchinski (13)

Schedule: Gushue, Gosgens, Dropkin, Dunstone

Season Record: 16-6

Expect this team to get alot of #TeamUpset love heading into their Tier I slam debut.

And for obvious reasons.

When you open your season with 2 tour titles and 2 QF results, people are going to be talking.

When they won their second tour title in Beaumont in September, you can hear the team celebrate by saying "bring on the slam".

This was their goal. And here they are.

Now lets see how they perform.

Similar to Team Carruthers above, we have not seen them on the ice since the PointsBet Invitational. Unlike Carruthers, they are coming off a one-and-done loss at that event.

And they open with slam champ Gushue.

The #PopcornMatch with be against Gosgens. If they lose to Gushue in their opener, they need to come back and score the win over the Dutch boys to try and get back into the playoff hunt.

0-2 starts, especially at your debut slam event, are almost impossible to overcome.

14. Team Gosgens (14)

Schedule: Bottcher, Sluchinski, Ramsfjell, Schwaller

Season Record: 18-13

The Dutch have played alot of curling already this season. 5 tour events under the slider with a SF and QF result as their best finishes.

They had a rough start to the year, failing to qualify in their opening events and posting a 2-6 record early.

They have regrouped though since arriving in Canada, qualifying in Beaumont and Dundas and reaching a C-qualifier in Okotoks.

And they do have wins this season against Ramsfjell, Koe and Mouat.

Perhaps they will be the #TeamUpset this week in Niagara Falls?

They made their Tier I slam debut at the 2023 Canadian Open. Lets see how the sophomore event goes.

Those middle games in the schedule will make or break them. The 2-1 season H2H vs. Ramsfjell favours them so keep an eye on that #PopcornMatch.

15. Team Shuster (15)

Schedule: Mouat, Edin, Carruthers, Yanagisawa

Season Record: 10-5

After opening their season with a SF result in Oakville, it has been a "meh" result for the Americans in their last 2 events.

They did not qualify at the Shorty Jenkins nor at the Stu Sells in Barrie. And they do arrive here on a 2-match losing streak.

On the flip side, they are the ultimate underdogs in the field. They will have everything to play for and nothing to lose when they step on the ice.

Shuster has had success at the Tour Challenge, his most successful slam event overall. He has reached the SF once (2015) and the QF 3 times (2017 - 2019).

Last year he competed in the Tier II so being back in the Tier I field is a testament to positive results over the past year to make a move up the rankings and be back in the slam discussion.

The opening 2 games are key. Knock off Mouat and/or Edin and you are right in the playoff hunt for the backend games.

16. Team Yanagisawa (18)

Schedule: Retornaz, Koe, Whyte, Shuster

Season Record: 22-15

Speaking of teams who have played alot already this season, enter Japan's Team Yanagisawa for your consideration.

They played their first event at the beginning of August in Sapporo. Since then, they have played 6 more events leading into this slam.

7 events played. 1 championship (Hokkaido). 1 SF (Sapporo). 2 QF (Beaumont, Vernon).

While we worry about other teams in this field not playing enough, is it the opposite concern for this team? Have they played too much and might be feeling a bit of fatigue already in October?

The schedule is daunting, drawing Retornaz, Koe and Whyte as all 3 are having great seasons. And they just lost to Koe in Dundas last weekend.

Qualifiers: Team Koe, Team Retornaz, Team Whyte, Team Mouat, Team Bottcher, Team Dunstone, Team Gushue, Team Schwaller

#TourChallenge Tier I Championship: Team Bottcher def. Team Koe

WOMEN

1. Team Tirinzoni (1) 

Schedule: Roervik, Peterson, Fujisawa, Wrana

Season Record: 18-3

Perfection cannot go on forever, right?

But starting the season 14-0 and winning 2 titles is still pretty remarkable.

And even though they went 4-3 last weekend in Dundas, they still reached the QF.

Those 3 losses, 2 were to teams competing in the Tier II (Dupont, Kim) and the other was to Tier I Morrison.

The wins are impressive too of course, knocking off Roervik, Hasselborg and Morrison (twice!)

Tirinzoni has reached the QF at this event the last 4 years so why expect anything short of a similar result this year, especially given how well they have been playing?

Their schedule is a mini world championship RR though.

They get the world championship rematch out of the gate vs. Roervik. Peterson and Fujisawa are world championship regulars. And Wrana they will run into again next month at Euros.

Can all 4 of their games be given #PopcornMatch consideration?

2. Team Einarson (2)

Schedule: Cameron, Hasselborg, Ha, Homan

Season Record: 7-3

Similar to men's Canadian champ Team Gushue, we have not seen a ton of Team Einarson this season.

They suffered a surprising QF loss at their opening in Edmonton and lost the final of the PointsBet to main rival Homan.

Other than that, we don't really know how prepared they are for the opening slam.

But they better be ready as this team is known to perform for #SlamSeason.

They reached 5 of 6 finals last year, including the season-ending Champions Cup.

The #PopcornMatch Canadian curling fans are waiting for will come in the last RR vs. Homan.

Both should be in playoff position but if one, or either, slip up early, that final RR game could become an elimination game for the loser.

3. Team Homan (3)

Schedule: Grandy, Jones, Constantini, Einarson

Season Record: 12-0

Speaking of Einarson's main rival, how about THAT season record folks!!

They arrive at the first slam undefeated with 2 titles under the slider: Saville Shootout and PointsBet Invitational.

They have wins over Tier I competitors Team Grandy, Team Cameron and Team Einarson.

And they are trying to #DefendTheIce.

It all seems to add up to a Homan victory over the weekend, doesn't it?!?

We know the #PopcornMatch already...see above!

4. Team Gim (4)

Schedule: Peterson, Roervik, Wrana, Fujisawa

Season Record: 35-9

Gim started the season at the Korean championships in June, posting an impressive 12-1 record to claim the title.

They had a slight hiccup when arriving in Canada, failing to qualify at Saville and the QF loss at Shorty Jenkins, but they have put it together recently.

They reached the SF in Vernon and were able to #DefendTheIce at the Autumn Gold, going a perfect 7-0.

They took the QF loss last weekend vs. Hasselborg at the Players Open but they very much look back on track to being one of the top teams in the world.

Remember, on the Year to Date rankings, they sit #1!

Last season this team reached 4 GSOC SF, including at the Tour Challenge, but failed to reach a final.

Is this the season? Is this the event?

Everyone loves an all-Asian battle between Korea and Japan so the final RR game vs. Fujisawa has #PopcornMatch potential.

It could become an qualification/elimination game too.

Speaking of Fujisawa....

5. Team Fujisawa (5) 

Schedule: Morrison, Lawes, Tirinzoni, Gim

Season Record: 14-7

It has been a mixed bag of results in the early part of the season for Team Fujisawa.

They won a tour title at their season opener event in Hokkaido and reached the QF at Saville but then failed to qualify in Beaumont and suffered a surprising QF loss at the Autumn Gold after qualifying A-side.

The consistency has not been there this season...yet?!

Last season was the slam breakthrough for the team, winning the Canadian Open. They also ended the season with a SF appearance at the Champions Cup.

We know this team loves the slam ice and, usually, has great success on it.

The backend of their schedule is tough so if they are to make a playoff push, they need to get out of the hack with wins early.

The #PopcornMatch against Lawes could be a telling game in how far Fujisawa goes in Niagara Falls.

6. Team Hasselborg (6) 

Schedule: Constantini, Einarson, Grandy, Jones

Season Record: 22-6

Outside of the "surprising" Euro Qualifier loss, this has been one heck of a start to the season for Team Hasselborg.

They have played 3 tour finals, winning 2 titles (Oslo, Dundas).

And of those 6 losses, 4 were against Wrana in the Euro Qualifier.

Outside of that event, they only have 2 losses this season (Tirinzoni, Kitazawa).

Not to mention they do have 6 wins against main Swedish rival Wrana, including 2 last weekend in Dundas (1 being in the final).

They also have Ws over Roervik, Constantini (twice!), Gim and Lawes.

Hasselborg won this event in 2019 and reached the QF last year. Anything short of a playoff appearance would be a surprise.

Bring on that 2nd RR game vs. Einarson though with major #PopcornMatch feels.

7. Team Wrana (7) 

Schedule: Lawes, Morrison, Gim, Tirinzoni

Season Record: 19-8

Remember the last time we saw Team Wrana on #gsoc ice?

They won the Players' Championship!

Since then?

They "slayed the dragon" in knocking off Team Hasselborg for the Euro Qualifier to become the new #SwedishVikings, not to mention winning their season opener event in Oslo and reaching the final last weekend in Dundas.

This team is the real deal folks.

Their opener vs. Lawes will be a #PopcornMatch. If they can win and gain momentum early, they will be dangerous.

The back half of their schedule is tough with Gim and Tirinzoni but taking care of business against the teams technically ranked below you can set you up well to play the teams ranked above you.

8. Team Jones (8)

Schedule: Ha, Homan, Cameron, Hasselborg

Season Record: 13-8

A quiet season for the 2023 Scotties finalists thus far.

They reached the final in Saville at their season opener. But have not reached the playoff bracket since, missing out at the Shorty Jenkins and losing a TB last weekend in Dundas.

They also suffered an "upset" loss to Team Black as the defending champs at the PointsBet.

Is this maybe a sign of what the new Brier/Scotties rule looks like? Teams with wildcard positions already assigned to them at the start of the season do not play as many tour events because they don't need to?

If they are to make a run to the playoffs here, and be considered a slam threat, the game vs. Homan should be an all eyes on me style of #PopcornMatch.

Both are already Scotties bound for Calgary in February, lets see if either can gain a slam advantage now.

9. Team T. Peterson (9)

Schedule: Gim, Tirinzoni, Lawes, Morrison

Season Record: 15-6

When you play 3 tour events to start the season and average out to a winning record of 5-2 at each event, it looks like a successful start.

They won the US Open of Curling event and reached the SF at Stu Sells Oakville and the QF at the Autumn Gold, surviving the #CSideGrind.

Tabitha Peterson has also had success on Tour Challenge rings in the past, reaching back-to-back SF in 2018 and 2019.

Last season the team reached the SF at The Masters and Champions Cup.

But they have yet to make a slam final.

Watch for their #PopcornMatch vs. Tirinzoni.

If they are to make a playoff run, they need to pick up a W over a higher ranked team. If not Gim in the opener, it needs to be Tirinzoni.

And Tirinzoni may be more vulnerable to take a loss in their 2nd or 3rd game compared to their opener and/or final RR game.

10. Team Lawes (10)

Schedule: Wrana, Fujisawa, Peterson, Roervik

Season Record: 10-6

Last weekend was the exact kind of result Team Lawes needed heading into this event.

This is why tune-up events matter, to gain some confidence and momentum.

Outside of the SF result in Dundas, it has been a fairly quiet season for Lawes.

They failed to qualify at their season opener in Saville and while they did reach the SF at the PointsBet, we haven't seen a ton of curling from them either.

Last weekend was an arrival statement, including scoring wins over Jones (twice!) and Morrison before falling to Hasselborg in the SF.

Their opener vs. Wrana has all the makings for a #PopcornMatch. Both went deep last weekend in their tune-up event and both will be looking for a deep playoff push at the season opening slam.

That opening game should be explosive!

11. Team Camerson (11) 

Schedule: Einarson, Constantini, Jones, Grandy

Season Record: 24-8

Here is a dangerous "under the radar" team many might overlook but could surprise this week.

In their first 4 events together as a new team, they reached 2 finals and 2 SF. And they won their season opener at the Icebreaker in Morris, MB.

They hit a hiccup at their last event, Autumn Gold Curling Classic, but did walk away with a positive 4-3 record from the event. Losing back-to-back qualifier games can be tough though.

They have not played a ton of Tier I teams this season and when they have, they own a 1-2 record against them. But losing to Einarson and Homan (with sub Heather Nedohin) is nothing to be too upset about.

The opener vs. Einarson will be fun but also watch for #PopcornMatch potential vs. another MB team in Jones.

Depending how they perform against their two provincial rivals may determine their playoff fate.

12. Team Roervik (12) 

Schedule: Tirinzoni, Gim, Morrison, Lawes

Season Record: 13-5

Are people still overlooking the team from Lillehammer, Norway?

Remember what they did last year when underestimated? They went on a tear in reaching the world championship final and winning a silver medal.

While we may not have seen them a ton on tour this season, they have 3 events under the slider and 3 qualifications.

They have reached 1 final (Oslo), 1 SF (Stirling) and 1 QF (Basel).

And while the test may be how they perform against non-European teams since they have only faced European competition this season, look at the schedule.

Tirinzoni and Morrison in world championship rematches. And a dangerous Korean champion in Gim.

So the #PopcornMatch may come down to the final RR game vs. Lawes.

To be one of the best teams in the world, you need to knock off Canadian teams on Canadian ice.

13. Team Constantini (13)

Schedule: Hasselborg, Cameron, Homan, Ha

Season Record: 14-8

The Italians have played 4 events this season and have a result from almost every possible scenario: Final, SF, QF, DNQ.

All they are missing is championship win.

They do have Tier I wins this season against Roervik and Grandy but have also taken losses against Roervik, Hasselborg (twice!), Gim and Wrana.

They reached the QF last weekend in Dundas, falling to eventual finalist Wrana, so there will be some positive momentum heading into this week.

Constantini made their #gsoc debut at the 2023 Canadian Open so the nerves might not be as bad the second go around.

They draw the "H" trifecta but the #PopcornMatch for them may be how they perform against the other team in their schedule, Team Cameron.

14. Team Grandy (14)

Schedule: Homan, Ha, Hasselborg, Cameron

Season Record: 8-10

Last season, Team Grandy was the team to talk about on tour. They were on fire early and making everyone aware of them.

It culminated in a strong Scotties showing and created build-up for this season.

Sophomore Slump perhaps?

It has not been the start of the year the team would have hoped for.

Of their 3 tour events, they only have 1 QF playoff result. They did reach the QF at the PointsBet though, defeating Team Duncan in the #Sweep16 before falling to Team Lawes in the QF.

Their #PopcornMatch will come in their second game vs. Ha.

Grandy won the Tier II last year. Ha has won the Tier II before as well.

Both are looking for statement wins to start this slam season.

Speaking of Ha....

15. Team Ha (15)

Schedule: Jones, Grandy, Einarson, Constantini

Season Record: 28-17

Last year's Korean champions are set to make their Tour Challenge Tier I debut.

Skipper Seungyoun Ha has played in every other slam, including reaching the 2020 Canadian Open final with Team Min-ji Kim, but has never played in the Tier I event here.

She did compete in the Tier II in 2019 of course, winning the event with Team Kim to earn their spot in the Canadian Open.

Since losing the Korean final to rival Gim, this team has played 6 tour events, winning 1 title (Stu Sells Oakville) and reaching 1 SF and QF.

They do arrive with mixed results in their past 2 events though (Autumn Gold, Players Open) where they failed to qualify and have posted an overall record of 5-6.

We saw what this team can do last year, winning the Korean title and winning silver at the Pan Continental Curling Championships.

Lets see what they can do on slam ice.

The #PopcornMatch will be against Team Grandy. Both are looking to show they "belong" in Tier I competition so a win for either could help with a playoff push.

16. Team Morrison (16)

Schedule: Fujisawa, Wrana, Roervik, Peterson

Season Record: 21-10

The 2022 Euro bronze medal winners will look back on Sept. 16 and bless that date.

When they won their SF game vs. Team Kim at the KW Fall Classic, they did JUST enough to retain a Top 16 ranking and earn their spot in this field.

It would be one week later they would drop to #17 behind Team Black but the Tour Challenge cutoff date was Sept. 18 and they were on the right side of the cut line.

Of course fast forward to the event itself and they are sitting #16 in the world and at their rightful spot in the Tier I.

This is a dangerous team, very capable of knocking off anyone in this field.

They already have 2 tour final appearances under the slider, alongside a SF and 2 QF results.

This is also a team who loves their streaks. At their last 3 tour events, they have gone on 5-match winning streaks to reach the playoffs. Those 3 events have 1 final, 1 SF and 1 QF end result.

So their #PopcornMatch is their opener vs. Fujisawa. Since they like to go on streaks, either they win and start another winning streak or they lose and need to rebound.

Interesting to note, they have 2 events where they lost their opener. What did they do next? Win 5 straight both times.

Qualifiers: Team Einarson, Team Homan, Team Hasselborg, Team Gim, Team Wrana, Team Tirinzoni, Team Morrison, Team Constantini

#TourChallenge Tier I Championship: Team Homan def. Team Hasselborg

Tier II

MEN

1. Team Craik (16) 

Schedule: Hostmaelingen, Epping, Jeong, Sturmay

Season Record: 14-11

The Scots keep coming. With Mouat and Whyte headlining the Tier I, the highest ranked team in Tier II is another Scottish team.

Team Craik is the #NextGen team to watch this week. A dangerous junior champion ready to make a move on the men's game.

And they are having themselves a solid season.

They have qualified in 4 of 5 events, with 1 SF and 3 QF results.

Note 6 of their 11 losses this season have come against team competing in the Tier I, pretty impressive when you consider those to not be "bad losses".

They do have 2 losses against fellow Tier II teams though (Hostmaelingen, Nyman).

And look who they draw in their opener! #PopcornMatch

2. Team Epping (17)

Schedule: Mooibroek, Craik, Nyman, Brunner

Season Record: 15-13

Last weekend was a revival for Team Epping, something they needed before arriving here.

Prior to the SF result in Dundas, they failed to qualify in their previous 2 tour events, lost in their opener at the PointsBet and were sitting with a 4-6 record from 3 events.

The question now is, which team shows up in Niagara Falls?

The one who reached a QF and SF to start the season? The one who went 4-6 in their next 3 events? The one who reached the SF last weekend?

We really do not know....and they might not either.

3. Team Bryce (19)

Schedule: Morozumi, Casper, McEwen, Wiebe

Season Record: 13-5

Great Scot, Another Scot?!

Welcome the 4th men's Scottish team into the Tour Challenge discussion. And, like their compatriots, you do not want to undersell their potential here.

Bryce started the season with a finals appearance in Baden and a SF result in Stirling, losing to Retornaz and Mouat.

But we had not seen them on tour since the end of August. That was 6 weeks ago!

They resurfaced last weekend in Dundas and went 2-3, scoring a win over Whyte.

Not a bad result after an extended competitive curling layoff but also not the best result for a tune-up event.

If Bryce can find their early season form, they could be a dangerous playoff contender.

Their #PopcornMatch could come in their 2nd game vs. Casper. Depending on how both perform in their opener, it could be a second loss for the loser or a second win for the winner?

4. Team McEwen (20)

Schedule: Kleiter, Schneider, Bryce, Hoesli

Season Record: 13-8

A modest season record for the Sask boys but the results overall have been positive. Back-to-back SF results in their opener events and a SF showing at the PointsBet.

Sure they stumbled last weekend at the Players Open, finishing 2-3 and failing to qualify, but taking loses to Tier I teams Schwaller and Edin are not "bad losses" either.

It still feels weird to see Mike McEwen in the Tier II but here he is for the second straight year.

Their schedule is full of #PopcornMatche potential.

The opener vs. Kleiter is a SK rivalry game...and possible SK Tankard final preview?

Catlin Schneider vs. Colton Flasch has some SK history as well.

And Team Hoesli handed McEwen one of those losses last weekend in Dundas.

5. Team Brunner (21) 

Schedule: Jeong, Sturmay, Hostmaelingen, Epping

Season Record: 26-11

With Team Schwaller getting all the Swiss love and another young Swiss team getting all the #TeamUpset buzz (more on them in a moment), where is the love for Team Brunner?

Here is a team with a high "seed" for the Tier II flying under the radar and could be a dangerous contender.

They arrive here fresh off 4 straight SF finishes after opening their season with back-to-back QF results.

6 events. 6 qualifications. How is that for a season? And it is only October!

Of their losses, 5 have been to Tier I teams (Dropkin, Whyte, Sluchinski, Dunstone, Bottcher).

They also have 5 losses to fellow Tier II teams of course (Bryce, Craik, Hostmaelingen, Hoesli, Casper).

But look at the names they have also defeated this season: Dropkin, Edin (Twice!), Ramsfjell, Yanagisawa (Twice!), Sluchinski, Hostmaelingen.

They are more than capable of knocking off any team in this competition...but also capable of losing to any team on their schedule.

Watch for that #PopcornMatch vs. Hostmaelingen. They are 1-1 H2H this season. Bring on the tiebreaker match!

6. Team Hoesli (22) 

Schedule: Casper, Morozumi, Wiebe, McEwen

Season Record: 16-10

Speaking of #TeamUpset, hello Team Hoesli!

And welcome another team from Switzerland.

It was a tough start to the season from the boys from Glarus, Switzerland, going 3-5 in their opening 2 tour events.

But then they got on a role at the Oslo Cup and changed the trajectory of their season.

They went undefeated to win the title in Oslo, reached the QF at Stu Sells in Barrie and lost in a TB last weekend against fellow Swiss Team Schwaller.

This is a team who many may overlook when eyeing up this field. And you would do so at your own peril.

The big #PopcornMatch game will be against fellow #TeamUpset flag bearer Team Wiebe in the 3rd RR game.

By the third game, you have an idea if you are in the playoff discussion or not. If both teams are still there with 1-1, or maybe 2-0, records, it should be a lights out battle on the ice.

7. Team Sturmay (23) 

Schedule: Nyman, Brunner, Mooibroek, Craik

Season Record: 11-6

To say we have not seen the best of Team Sturmay this season is not meant to be disrespectful but rather to suggest we know the potential ceiling of success is now high for this team.

They competed at the 2023 Brier was #WC3 and surprised many with how good of a team they are.

Now the "under the radar" moniker has been removed and expectations are high.

They started the season with SF and QF results but have since dipped. They failed to qualify in Okotoks and came up short vs. Dunstone in the PointsBet QF.

They have had 2 weeks off to prepare for this slam.

The opener will be the #PopcornMatch of the event. They draw a hot shooting team from Sweden, Team Nyman.

A win could set the path for the playoffs. A loss and it might be tough to overcome.

8. Team Morozumi (24)

Schedule: Bryce, Hoesli, Kleiter, Schneider

Season Record: 36-19

Just look at that season record. Now go look back at all the other teams season records for comparison.

Some teams will play an entire season and have a record of 36-19.

Japan's Team Morozumi has compiled this record and we are only half way through October.

They have played 10 events already this season, starting at the beginning of August in Sapporo through to last weekend in Dundas.

They have 4 tour titles (Hokkaido, Kitami, Tokoro, Stu Sells Barrie) alongside a SF and QF result.

Sure they have 4 DNQ results too, including last weekend.

But all those events, all those competitive games and all those winning results should play to their favour in this field.

Plus, career wise you will be hard pressed to find another athlete in Tier II with a resume as long and as successful as Yusuke Morozumi.

Their #PopcornMatch is their opening game. Not just because it is against higher seed/ranked Team Bryce but because Morozumi has success at tour events when they open with a W.

Of their 10 events played, they have won their opener 8 times.

The 2 times they did not? At their season opener in Sapporo (1-3 overall) and last weekend (2-3).

9. Team Casper (25)

Schedule: Hoesli, Bryce, Schneider, Kleiter

Season Record: 21-5

If Shuster is becoming Papa Bear in USA curling and Dropkin in the Young Buck, what is Team Casper?

Baby bear? The growling cub?

What they shouldn't be is overlooked. Just look at that season record.

5 events played. 2 tour titles. 1 finalist. 1 QF.

And averaging only 1 loss per event.

Yup, those stats certainly add up quick as an advantage for the #NextGen team from Chaska, MN.

They also have wins over Sluchinski, Kleiter, Brunner, Morozumi and Dropkin.

Hmmm, maybe they are the #TeamUpset pick?

The final RR game vs. Kleiter should be a #PopcornMatch and, possibly, a de facto playoff elimination game?

10. Team Wiebe (26)

Schedule: Schneider, Kleiter, Hoesli, Bryce

Season Record: 13-6

Wait, maybe Manitoba's Team Wiebe is a #TeamUpset on slam ice?

If you follow #TwineTime, you already know the blog has been keeping close eyes on this team for a few seasons now. And they did reach the playoffs here last year.

They have 4 events under the slider this season, reaching 2 SF and 2 QF. And one of those QF results was at the PointsBet where they "upset" Epping in the #Sweep16 round before losing to Gushue.

Their opener vs. Schneider will be their #PopcornMatch of the event. They are 0-2 vs. Schneider this season, losing both games at the Saville Shootout (RR, QF).

If they can extract their revenge, they build momentum. If Schneider has their number again, it could be a long road to stay in the playoff hunt.

But also watch that second game vs. Kleiter. Remember both proved to be #TeamUpset bracket busters at the PointsBet. Could either do the same here?

11. Team Schneider (27) 

Schedule: Wiebe, McEwen, Casper, Morozumi

Season Record: 14-10

Speaking of Team Schneider, Catlin Schneider is finding success returning to the house as skip for the first time since his USPORT days with the University of Regina.

The team from B.C. reached back-to-back finals in Edmonton and Vernon but hit a snag in Dundas with a 2-3 record (but included a W over Mouat).

4 of their losses this season have come against Tier I competition (Bottcher x2, Gosgens, Ramsfjell).

But the concern may be the 2 losses at the start of the season vs. fellow Tier II teams Kleiter and Sturmay.

Their schedule is a mix of #NextGen and experience. But I would be grabbing popcorn for that game vs. McEwen. Schneider vs. Flasch sounds like a buttery drip of excitement.

Plus the skipper will celebrate his birthday on opening day of action. We will see if the boys can give him a bday W and, possibly, a full week of birthday celly's toward the playoffs.

12. Team Jeong (28) 

Schedule: Brunner, Nyman, Craik, Mooibroek

Season Record: 17-13

For Korea's Team Jeong, the season started with the Korean National Curling Championships in June.

They were the trying to #DefendTheIce but were upset in the final by Team Park.

Not only did they lose their Korean title but gone were the opportunities to compete at the Pan Continental Curling Championships (where they won silver last year) and the world championship.

It might be no wonder they started their tour season with failing to qualify at their first 2 events and posting a 4-4 record.

They did reach the final at Stu Sells Barrie but went 1-4 last weekend at the Players Open, including losses to fellow Tier II teams Epping and Bryce.

Their RR game vs. Nyman could be a fun #PopcornMatch pitting two #gsoc rookies against one another.

13. Team Nyman (30)

Schedule: Sturmay, Jeong, Epping, Hostmaelingen

Season Record: 13-8

Welcome a second Swedish men's team to the slam ice folks. How long have we waited to say that? #Forever

Do not let Nyman's rookie status fool you though. This is a dangerous team who could become the ultimate #TeamUpset flag bearer.

They have played 4 tour events this season, reaching 1 final (Tallinn, Estonia) and 2 QF (Oslo, Jonkoping).

Playing in the Match Town Trophy Nordic Curling Tour event last weekend, they dominated the RR with a 4-0 record before running into eventual finalist Team Harstad in the QF.

They should arrive in Niagara Falls with some confidence and very much flying under the radar against their competition.

The opening match may be tough given the short turn around from playing in Sweden over the weekend and then needing to be in Canada for a Tuesday start.

The big #PopcornMatch will be that game vs. Jeong as mentioned above.

14. Team Hostmaelingen (31)

Schedule: Craik, Mooibroek, Brunner, Nyman

Season Record: 10-10

They may be curling .500 rocks right now but do not let the season record fool you either.

They have reached the QF at their last 3 events leading into the Tour Challenge.

And while they may take 1 or 2 losses each event, they are also taking in more Ws than Ls to reach the playoffs.

We already know the game against Brunner will be intense, given their familiarity with one another already this season.

Hostmaelingen has also picked up Ws this season over fellow Tier II teams Hoesli and Craik.

And look who they play in their opener! A team they already defeated once this season back in August in Stirling.

Do not forget last year where they went 4-0 in the RR before losing in the QF.

15. Team Mooibroek (33)

Schedule: Epping, Hostmaelingen, Sturmay, Jeong

Season Record: 19-14

The #NextGen team from Whitby could be a dangerous lower seed/ranked team in this field.

They had a strong start to their season, reaching the U25 #NextGen Classic final as the defending champs and a SF result the weekend before at the Summer Series in Quebec.

They also reached the playoff rounds at both Stu Sells events, losing in the Playoff Round in Oakville and the QF in Barrie.

Watch for a #PopcornMatch out of the hack vs. Epping. They played Epping at the Stu Sells Tankard in Barrie and beat them 7-0. Do they have their number?

16. Team Kleiter (35)

Schedule: McEwen, Wiebe, Morozumi, Casper

Season Record: 14-9

The U25 #NextGen champions should not be underestimated.

They may be the lowest ranked team in the field. They may be the last team to get an invite. And they may have only received the invite due to another team turning down their spot.

But underestimate them? No, sir!

While they have not qualified at their 2 tour events since the U25 title, lets remember what they did at the PointsBet.

They knocked off Koe in the #Sweep16 and had a chance with hammer in the 8th end to defeat Carruthers.

When Rylan Kleiter is on his game, this is a tough team to beat.

And he will need to be on his game right out of the hack, drawing a #PopcornMatch vs. McEwen.

Regardless of how Team Kleiter performs at the slam this week, a W over a provincial rival could mean more than anything else after this weekend.

If Kleiter is to be considered a SK Tankard threat, this event (and that opener) is the time to make a statement.

Qualifiers: Team Craik, Team Sturmay, Team Nyman, Team Schneider, Team McEwen, Team Hoesli, Team Brunner, Team Bryce

#TourChallenge Tier II Championship: Team Craik def. Team McEwen

WOMEN

1. Team Black (17) 

Schedule: Jaeggi, Hunkin, Skrlik, Strouse

Season Record: 15-8

Are you ready to Bet on Black?

After just missing out on the Tier I, Nova Scotia's Team Black will enter Tier II as the top "seed".

And deservingly so after a strong opening part of their season.

They have reached 2 tour finals, a QF and the #TeamUpset SF appearance at the PointsBet Invitational (as predicted by #TwineTime btw).

We also remember their run to the Final Four at the Scotties.

Why should we expect anything less than a deep playoff run in Niagara Falls?

Bring us some buttery popcorn drama vs. Skrlik in their 3rd RR game too. Both teams were at the Scotties last year and both should be considered #Favs in their provinces this year.

Hello #PopcornMatch potential!

2. Team E. Kim (18)

Schedule: Dupont, Ladouceur, Huerlimann, Martin

Season Record: 32-12

A higher than average season record is expected from the Korean teams competing due to the Korean championships in June.

For Kim, they took the loss vs. rivals Gim in the final. And it was a tough event against their rivals as they went 1-3 overall. Considering they only lost 4 games throughout the entire championship, losing 3 to Gim is not going to get you a national title.

They have been in Canada since September though, competing at tour events and improving their rankings towards #gsoc Tier I status.

They won the Stu Sells Barrie event, reached the SF at the KW Fall Classic and Players Open and have 2 QF results as well.

They have qualified in every event played. 

And never underestimate an Olympic silver medal winner!

The opener vs. Team Dupont can be a huge #PopcornMatch.

Both teams are not afraid of rocks in play and can get offensive right out of the hack.

The winner will have some positive momentum but the loser still has time to regroup for a playoff push.

3. Team Strouse (19)

Schedule: Anderson, Inglis, Yoshimura, Black

Season Record: 24-11

From pre-season #TeamUpset to Tier II #Fav?

It has been that kind of season for the team from Traverse City, Michigan.

Already owning 2 tour titles this season and having reached another final, there is ample reason why Team Strouse is earning a ton of attention this week in their slam debut.

Watch out Team Peterson, last year's USA runner-up team is coming for your USA title this season.

Some of their momentum may have left their sails this past weekend though, going 2-2 and failing to qualify at the event in St. Paul. Not the result many would have expected against fellow US competitors.

Their #PopcornMatch will be their opener against fellow pre-season #TeamUpset candidate and US competitor Team Sarah Anderson.

If Strouse is to make a playoff push, they must get the opening win under their slider and regain some momentum and confidence.

4. Team Yoshimura (20)

Schedule: Hunkin, Jaeggi, Strouse, Skrlik

Season Record: 37-12

Japan's Team Yoshimura has already played 8 tour events this season.

Some teams have played only 2 or 3.

It is quite impressive when you think about how many games they have played since starting their season at the beginning of August.

They have only had 2 weekends off since they started. Amazing!

And the results have been equally impressive, winning back-to-back titles to open the season, reaching 2 other finals and 3 QF results.

Last weekend at the Players Open they lost a TB game vs. Wrana after posting a 3-2 RR record.

The blog, and the #PowerRankings, have been high on Team Yoshimura for a few seasons now.

Of course remember skip Sayaka Yoshimura is not playing this season as she is pregnant. Yuna Kotani, who is the team's vice, has bumped up to skip the team.

The #PopcornMatch for Yoshimura will come in that 2nd RR game vs. Team Jaeggi.

Both teams will come into this event as playoff contenders. The loser of this game might be in for a fight to get there while the winner should be comfortable.

5. Team Huerlimann (21) 

Schedule: Campbell, Kitazawa, Kim, Gray-Withers

Season Record: 10-10

With all the talk of Tirinzoni and Jaeggi being the faces of Swiss curling, how about a new emerging dark horse?

Time to get familiar with Team Huerlimann rockheads!

They secured their spot in this field with their season opening SF result in Oslo back at the end of August.

Unfortunately, since that result, they have failed to qualify in their last 3 tour events.

As is the format at this event, and the detriment it appears for Huerlimann, short RR formats mean you need to secure more wins than losses.

Huerlimann is coming out with a .500 record, taking 2 wins but also suffering 2 losses. That formula sends you home early.

For Huerlimann to find success in the Tier II field, it may start out of the gate with a #PopcornMatch potential vs. Team Campbell.

An opening win could get them off on the right slide and, for the season, they are 3-1 in their opening draw games.

6. Team Kitazawa (22) 

Schedule: Martin, Huerlimann, Ladouceur, Dupont

Season Record: 21-9

Looking for another Japanese team the blog, and Power Rankings, have been high on the past few seasons?

Get to know Team Kitazawa!

They have played 6 events this season, reaching 1 final, 2 SF, 1 QF and 1 TB.

Last weekend in Dundas, they failed to qualify with an overall record of 2-3. But they did knock off eventual champion Team Hasselborg.

Keep your eye on their #PopcornMatch vs. Team Martin.

This season, Kitazawa is 5-1 in event openers. For those 5 wins, a run to the playoffs followed.

For the 1 loss, last weekend in Dundas, they did not qualify.

If they get off to a winning start, watch out for them in the playoff bracket?

7. Team Hunkin (24) 

Schedule: Yoshimura, Black, Anderson, Inglis

Season Record: 12-9

3 events. 3 QF results. Average record per event of 4-3.

All the stats favour, slightly, Team Hunkin.

And do not let size fool you folks. Jessie Hunkin loves to throw the hard rock and toss some heat down the ice.

It will be interesting to see if her opponents get sucked into a hitting game against her. If so, it might be light's out.

The 2nd RR game vs. Black has all the makings of a #PopcornMatch.

It may not be a game contested between the tallest skips on tour but the hits will be coming and it has the makings of a classic blow by blow boxing match.

8. Team Jaeggi (25)

Schedule: Black, Yoshimura, Inglis, Anderson

Season Record: 18-14

What a crazy season it has already been for Switzerland's Team Jaeggi.

We all know the off-season story of them losing a teammate and now being forced to scramble a bit for tour events.

They have utilized the #SuperSpare concept to a tee all season.

From Eve Muirhead to Chelsea Carey to Daniela Jentsch to Robyn Silvernagle, super spares have stepped in to help this team continue their fight.

And the results have been positive, especially considered almost every event is a new teammate on the ice.

They have qualified in 4 of 6 events and lost in a TB in 1 additional.

On the down side, they have yet to advance past the QF. Add in the TB loss and they are 0-5 this season in "playoff" elimination games. That trend will need to end.

Both opener games should have #PopcornMatch potential.

The team will be joined by Chelsea Carey again this week. Carey was with the team recently at the Autumn Gold Curling Classic, where the team qualified via the B-side before losing the QF to Beth Peterson.

If Jaeggi can get off to a fast start, needing to go 2-0 or 1-1 at least, they may make their playoff push once again. 

9. Team Ladouceur (26)

Schedule: Gray-Withers, Kim, Kitazawa, Campbell

Season Record: 16-16

The #NextGen team from Whitby is playing .500 curling thus far this season.

But could a .500 2-2 record get you a playoff spot at the Tour Challenge? Depends on your LSD score I suppose.

Ladouceur has entered 6 tour events this season. They have qualified in 3. But they have not qualified since their QF result at the KW Fall Classic mid-September.

They did compete at the PointsBet Invitational though, knocking off Team Gray-Withers in the #Sweep16 before falling to Homan in the QF.

And look who they draw in their opening game: Team Gray-Withers.

A rematch for a #PopcornMatch? Yes, please!

10. Team Dupont (27)

Schedule: Kim, Gray-Withers, Campbell, Kitszawa

Season Record: 9-8

The European champions are back on GSOC ice and ready to make some noise.

And talk about a perfect tune-up event before having to #DefendTheIce in Scotland next month at the European Curling Championships.

It has been a solid season for the Danes. They reached the QF in Oslo and SF in Basel to kick start their season.

Last weekend was met with controversy of course at the Players Open where they defaulted their TB game vs. Tirinzoni after originally being told by organizers no TB games would be played.

If they can get over the frustration of how last weekend ended and shift focus to a positive of being back at a slam, they could be a dangerous dark horse contender in this field.

They do own victories over Tirinzoni and Wrana already this season remember.

As already mentioned, the opener vs. Kim is the #PopcornMatch to watch.

11. Team Skrlik (28) 

Schedule: Inglis, Anderson, Black, Yoshimura

Season Record: 10-8

Not the start to the season expected from the Alberta champions.

Sure they won their season opener in Leduc but they have failed to qualify since.

They did have the nice #Sweep16 win over fellow Tier II competitor Team Inglis at the PointsBet Invitational before losing the QF to Team Einarson.

But maybe there is still a bit of sophomore championship slump for the 2023 AB Scotties winners?

It is quite different going from the hunter to the hunted and Team Skrlik is learning that this year.

Interesting #PopcornMatch out of the gate, drawing a PointsBet rematch with Team Inglis.

The winner should be in a nice position for a playoff push.

12. Team Gray-Withers (29) 

Schedule: Ladouceur, Dupont, Martin, Huerlimann

Season Record: 13-10

The opening part of the season has been huge high's and disappointing low's for Team Gray-Withers.

They started their season with a title at the U25 #NextGen Classic, where they were able to #DefendTheIce as defending champions.

They reached the SF the following weekend at the Saville Shootout.

But since those two events, they have failed to qualify and own a record of 2-7 in 3 events.

The question on this team is whether they can win away from the home confines of the Saville Sportscentre.

Their opening 2 events were great...both at Saville.

Their last 3 events in Beaumont, Oakville and Calgary have not been as kind.

And they get the PB Invitational rematch against Ladouceur as their opening #PopcornMatch.

If they are going to prove they can be a winning visitor team, their opening match is the time to do so.

13. Team Inglis (30)

Schedule: Skrlik, Strouse, Jaeggi, Hunkin

Season Record: 13-9

See above for polarizing results to a season?

Seriously though.

Team Inglis started their season on a tear, winning 10-straight games and picking up a tour title at their season opening event in Quebec.

In their 3 events since, they are 3-8 and have not qualified for the playoffs, including the #Sweep16 loss to Team Skrlik.

There is perhaps no better story at this slam than skip Danielle Inglis finally skipping her team to #gsoc ice. And she deserves it!

But they need to right the ship fast so it is not a quick appearance. 

Their fate may be determined in their opening 2 RR games. Both have #PopcornMatch potential.

If they are to make a playoff push, they cannot go 0-2.

14. Team Campbell (31)

Schedule: Huerlimann, Martin, Dupont, Ladouceur

Season Record: 14-4

Manitoba gets a lot of attention for their curling teams, with Einarson/Jones/Cameron leading the way in the Tier I.

But what about Sasky import Jolene Campbell?

Do not underestimate her potential either folks.

And her new look team, recently announcing the addition of Liz Fyfe, could have major #TeamUpset potential in this field.

They have 1 tour title, 1 finals appearance and 1 QF result from their 3 tour events this season.

They have Tier II wins over Martin and Anderson.

And they arrive in Niagara Falls fresh off their maiden title win last weekend in Selkirk.

Bring on the rematch in their 2nd RR game vs. Martin.

They last played at the Mother Club Fall Classic, with Campbell winning the SF game.

The winner of the game in Niagara Falls could set up nicely for a playoff appearance.

15. Team Martin (32)

Schedule: Kitazawa, Campbell, Gray-Withers, Kim

Season Record: 10-15

Another skip who is deserving of slam respect is Nancy Martin.

Martin has put in the time and work to get here. Now we will see how she performs.

It has been an up and down early part of the season for the SK team.

They reached the final at their opener event, went 0-5 at their next event and then reached the SF and QF at the follow up events.

Since though, it has been 4 straight losses. Overall the team is riding a 6-game losing streak entering play this week.

They need to turn things around and turn them around fast, not only to compete in this Tier II field but for their season overall.

It all starts with their opener vs. Kitazawa.

Their #PopcornMatch has to be their opener as we see if they can finally end their current losing streak or extend it?

16. Team Anderson (33)

Schedule: Strouse, Skrlik, Hunkin, Jaeggi

Season Record: 13-7

Another pre-season #TeamUpset to watch out for this week.

And the RR formats have been kind to them this season. When you average 3 wins and 1 loss per RR, you are likely making the playoffs.

They qualified in 2 of their season opening 3 events but lost in the SF and QF.

At their last event, US Open of Curling, they finally secured a playoff win in the SF before losing the final to US champ Team Peterson.

They should have some momentum coming into this event; however, the time off in between the two events could be a factor.

As mentioned above, watch out for that all-#TeamUpset Popcorn Match in the opener vs. fellow American Team Strouse.

Qualifiers: Team Black, Team Yoshimura, Team Strouse, Team Skrlik, Team E. Kim, Team Kitazawa, Team Dupont, Team Campbell

#TourChallenge Tier II Championship: Team E. Kim def. Team Yoshimura

There you have it rock heads. What say you? Who are you cheering for?

Will we see a new Grand Slam of Curling champion crowned?

Will one of the 2022 champs successfully #DefendTheIce?

Who gets the early slide on the Pinty's Cup with an opening slam title?

And who will survive the Tier II and make the move onto Tier I ice at the 2024 Canadian Open?

Remember you can stay up to date with all the results and standings on the event page HERE.

#StayTuned

With 64 teams competing this week, without question the Power Rankings mountain will see movement based on the results.

The updated Power Rankings will be released next week.

Also, we will celebrate our first world champion of the season when the 2023 World Mixed Curling Championship wraps up in Scotland.

Remember to stay up to date with all the #WMCC2023 results at the event page HERE.

And you can get the full blog preview of the event HERE.

BIG NEWS: There may be a NEW PODCAST interview sliding into your hack VERY SOON!! Any guesses on who? 😏

Until then, for all the teams competing this week, good luck and good curling.