Get Your Popcorn Ready

#BetweenTheSheets: Get Your Popcorn Ready

#PopcornGames highlight a busy curling weekend

The Return of the #PopcornGames!

A few seasons ago the blog introduced a new element to the #TwineTimePreviews.

As we see in many professional sports, we look ahead to a schedule and declare a few high-profiles games we cannot wait to see.

These games are often called Popcorn Games or Popcorn Matches.

The blog introduced a similar feature back in 2022 and the tradition is alive again this season.

With the blog recovered from an early September sickness, it is time to bring back the #PopcornGames in the event previews.

So grab your popcorn as this weekend we have a FULL SLATE of events ready to pop off.

Are you excited?

There are 4 women's tour events to preview this weekend.

There are 4 men's tour events to preview.

And there is even a HUGE mixed doubles tour event as well taking place in Calgary.

We have no time for pleasantries and niceties this week curling fans.

There is SO MUCH to watch and preview.

With all the events going on, lets hope the CurlingZone website can handle all the traffic this weekend as the one stop shop for results. 

Or do we make it a drinking game for every time we get an error message on refresh or the loading spin of death? At least we can still have some fun, right?

ICYMI, the #PowerRankings were UPDATED earlier this week based on last weekend's results. Can teams competing this weekend make a move up the mountain? Can those at or near the top retain their spot?

#TwineTimePreviews

WOMEN

Hack2House Alberta Curling Series Major

Beaumont, AB

2023 Champion: Team Han

Format: 15 team triple knockout with 6 qualifiers

#Fav: Team Tabata

We are only a week removed from Japan's Team Tabata sitting atop the Power Rankings as the #1 team.

They will arrive in Beaumont having surrendered the #1 ranking but riding a ton of momentum nonetheless. 

After all, they have won their last 2 tour events and will try to go for the #3peat of event championships.

Plus, they have qualified in all 5 events played this season, winning 3 titles overall.

There are not many teams at this stage of the season who have been playing as consistent as Team Tabata.

The draw did not do them many favours though. A potential R2 game vs. Team Cameron and an A-qualifier possible against highly ranked Team Gim prove to be a difficult path to the playoffs.

And with only 6 playoff berths available, the room for error is slim.

Are they still a top challenger team or a contender in challenger sliders? This weekend may help answer the question.

#TeamUpset: Team Silvernagle

What should we expect from the new Team Silvernagle this season?

Announced only a few weeks ago, Robyn Silvernagle will now skip a team out of Alberta. A Sasky champ jumping ship to the rival neighbour province. Wonder what Sask curling fans think?

Silvernagle has joined forces with Jessie Hunkin, Jessie Haughian and Kristie Moore, a 3 some of player who are quite familiar with one another in various ways.

On paper, this is a stacked team. All with experience...winning experience to boot.

But will it come together on the ice?

We saw them debut at the Saville Shootout, struggling to go 1-4 and miss the playoffs.

On the positive, they knocked off higher ranked Team Cameron in their opening.

On the negative, they arrive in Beaumont on a 4-match losing streak.

The draw gods blessed them in a way, landing on the bottom half of the bracket and avoiding Gim, Tabata and Cameron on the A-side.

But AB champs Team Sturmay alongside strong Asian competition from Team Yoshimura and Team Wang could still present major challengers on the road to the playoffs.

#W2W4

There is a strong Asian presence in Beaumont this weekend.

Just look at the entry list: Team Gim, Team Tabata, Team Yoshimura, Team Wang, Team Sasaki, Team Zhang.

There are 6 teams listed where an argument could be made for all 6 to qualify for the playoffs.

Could it be an Asian sweet in Beaumont?

Which Canadian teams can rise to the challenge and try to retain a home ice advantage?

Team Cameron? Team Sturmay? Team Silvernagle? Team Kaufman?

On paper and in the rankings, the Asian teams in the field have the advantage.

Will it hold true in the results? 

#PopcornGames

Team Cameron vs. Team Tabata (possible A-SF): What a game this could be. Tabata is ranked #15 and Cameron is #22. Both want to be in that Top 16 range to qualify for #gsoc events.

Team Gim vs. Team Cameron/Tabata (possible A-qualifier): If we get the SF game above, the winner's reward could be an A-qualifier against #3 ranked Team Gim.

Team Sturmay vs. Team Silvernagle (possible A-SF): Can Silvernagle mount a challenge in AB? If so, knocking off the AB champs in this game would speak volumes to their potential.

Team Yoshimura vs. Team Wang (possible A-SF): A classic Japan vs. China battle, reigniting an Asian rivalry between two powerhouse nations.

Mother Club Fall Curling Classic

Winnipeg, MB

2023 Champion: Team Strouse 

Format: 20 team RR with 4 pools of 5. Top 8 qualify.

#Fav: Team Carey

The post-Jennifer Jones era begins as the former members of the team welcome a new skipper into the house.

Chelsea Carey is a proven winner, evidenced by her Scotties championships.

But she also did not compete on competitive ice last season so there may be some rust on the slider.

And how will she mesh with her #NextGen teammates? Will there be growing pains early?

There is massive pressure on this team going into the season as everyone will be watching them to see how they do.

The draw was kind to them, avoiding higher ranked teams in the RR portion so a playoff path is definitely within their grasp.

But Carey, being originally from Manitoba, will also draw some familiar faces in Darcy Robertson and Kristy Watling.

#TeamUpset: Team McMakin

Last season an upstart American team came into this event and took home the title. It was a kickstart to a tremendous breakthrough season.

Could a similar story happen this year with another up and coming American team?

Christine McMakin and her team from Fargo, North Dakota could be a team to keep your eyes on this weekend.

We saw them open their season on Winnipeg ice a few weeks ago, reaching the SF at The Icebreaker Challenge. Their path included a QF win over Team Watling, who they draw again in the pool at this event.

While the team did struggle a few weekends ago at the Saville Shootout, going 1-4 and missing the playoffs, the foundations of making a playoff run and knocking off some higher ranked teams is there.

Drawing Watling, Team Carey and Team Robertson did not do their playoff hopes any favours mind you. But they have knocked off higher ranked teams already this season so why not do it again?

Plus Winnipeg seems to be more friendly ice to the North Dakota foursome.

#W2W4

Will surprise playoff teams emerge? Can a team make a surprise deep run in the playoffs?

Or will it be a playoff bracket filled with top ranked, dominating teams as many expect?

Team Carey. Team Fujisawa. Team T. Peterson. Team Strouse. Team McCarville. Team Ueno.

These are the 6 teams everyone expects to dominate the RR and book tickets into the playoffs.

If those predictions hold true, who can claim those final 2 playoff tickets? And, once in the playoffs, can any of those 3 teams make some noise and knock off the Top 6?

There are certainly strong challengers, like Beth Peterson, Darcy Robertson, Kristy Watling and Christine McMakin.

The unfortunate part is Robertson, Watling and McMakin are drew the same lot in Pool A.

Will they end up devouring one another in pool play, thus eliminating one another from playoff contention?

#PopcornGames

Team Carey vs. Team Robertson (Draw 6): Familiar names battle it out with Chelsea Carey vs. Darcy Robertson. You have to love a Manitoba rivalry game.

Team Fujisawa vs. Team McCarville (Draw 10): The final RR game for both teams might be the most important. If either slip up early, they may need a win here to make the playoffs. Both could also be undefeated, meaning the winner takes the pool and books a more favourable playoff path.

Team T. Peterson vs. Team B. Peterson (Draw 10): Similar to above, this is the final RR game for both teams and could have major playoff implications. Plus who doesn't love a Peterson vs. Peterson game...also featured as a classic Canada vs. USA border battle.

KW Fall Classic

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

2023 Champion: Team McCarville 

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

#Fav: Team E. Kim

We have not seen the #6 ranked team in the world on competitive ice in a month. Their last event was mid-August at the Curling1spoon Elite 8, where they would reach the final and finish as runner-up.

They are now back on the ice and all eyes will be on them once again.

It is hard for Korean teams entering the season as their national championship is played in June and winning the championship brings a different schedule and expectation as Team Korea for the season.

Team Kim faltered at the Korean Championships and now, similar to last season, need to play out the year in hopes of winning games, winning events and winning money.

The highlight of the season may be pursuing a #gsoc title.

But just because they cannot compete at PCCC or a world championship does not mean this team is not driven and focused on building a strong season of results.

And we know they remain one of the most dangerous teams in the world to face off against.

The draw gods were kind to them so a push for the playoffs is well within reach. Once there, a championship run could follow.

#TeamUpset: Team Rizzo

Who said anything about retirement?

Jo-Ann Rizzo is back on the ice and competing out of Ontario.

At last year's Scotties, Rizzo did announce a retirement from the ladies game. But not the sport. She is still very happy to pursue championship glory on the senior circuit.

And should be considered an early season championship threat for the Canadian title.

Rizzo will be competing this week with Janet Murphy, Lori Eddy and Mary Chilvers.

Yes, Eddy and Chilvers of 2 Girls and A Game podcast fame.

You can bet they may have the strongest fan support behind the glass this weekend.

But do not think they are just here to compete either. This is a strong foursome and one who can make sone noise in their season opening event.

Watch out!

#W2W4

Shall we talk about formats again? Why not?

Here we have yet another interesting format.

With 4 pools of 3 teams, and each team needing 3 RR games, no team will play the teams placed in their pool.

For this event, Pool A teams will play Pool D teams. Pool B will battle Pool C.

Could we end up seeing 2 pools dominate the competition and fill out all the playoff spots? Certainly!

Is this a competition format we like to see? Hardly!

#PopcornGames

Team Rizzo vs. Team Ladouceur (Draw 6): Last season Lori Eddy joined forces with Team Ladouceur. And now they will face off against one another. Who prevails? The students or the teacher?

Team Kitazawa vs. Team Ha (Draw 12): What a blockbuster final RR game here between Japan's Kitazawa and Korea's Team Ha. This game will have tons of playoff implications. Could this even be a finals preview?

Womens Masters Basel

Basel, SUI

2023 Champion: Team Tirinzoni 

Format: 17 team RR with 3 pools of 4 and 1 pool of 5. Top 8 qualify.

#Fav: Team Tirinzoni

No surprise here. The champs return to #DefendTheIce on home ice.

For Silvana Tirinzoni, this is a special event and one she has had great success in. She is a 3-time champion, having won the title in 2023, 2019 and 2013. Can she get title #4 in Basel?

Team Tirinzoni will also be coming off a great run last weekend to the finals at the Shorty Jenkins, losing to main international rival Team Homan.

When you open your season with a run to the event final, only to be slipped up by the #1 team in the world, it is a strong statement to your opposition.

This team remains one of, if still not the, best teams in the world, regardless of no longer being the defending world champion.

If anything, the world championship loss last season will leave them hungrier this season...making them even more dangerous.

There draw to the playoffs should be manageable but watch out for the RR game vs. Denmark's Team Dupont. They did meet in the SF here last year remember.

#TeamUpset: Team Bjoernstad

Norway has been dominated by Team Rorvik for a number of years but last year another team started making themselves known.

Team Bjoernstad, from Oppdal, Norway, have a #HERstory of surprising higher ranked teams and making playoff pushes at European tour events.

We saw them compete at the Oslo Cup, going 3-2 and just missing the playoffs. But they did secure wins over higher ranked teams like Team Wrana and Team Yildiz while giving a strong challenge to Team Schwaller and Team Dupont.

They find themselves in a pool with Wrana again this weekend. Can they wave the #TeamUpset flag again and, this time, wave it a bit higher towards a playoff spot?

Do not sleep on this team just because you have maybe not seen them play in Canada or live on TV.

#W2W4

Lets talk about formats really quick.

This event has an interesting format as a result of an odd number of teams. With each team getting to play 4 RR games, the 3 pools of 4 teams need to pick up an extra RR game against a team from another pool.

This could be a blessing or a curse. You could end up drawing someone like Team Tirinzoni or Team Schwaller or Team Wrana or Team Constantini.

You also could end up drawing Team Heinimann or Team Zelingrova or Team Kalocsai-van Dorp.

And no disrespect to any of the teams named above but if you are analyzing your potential path to the playoffs, the path looks a bit bumpier if you draw has a combination of Tirinzoni and Schwaller compared to Heinimann and Zelingrova.

Will one of the lower ranked teams be able to pull the upset? They may even need to do it twice just to stay in the qualification discussion.

#PopcornGames

Team Wrana vs. Team Bjoernstad (Draw 5): Bjoernstad already beat Wrana once this season. And Wrana is coming to Basel after the disappointing Euro Qualifier result vs. main rival Team Hasselborg. This loser of this game may have a hard time reaching the playoffs.

Team Tirinzoni vs. Team Dupont (Draw 7): The rematch of the SF last year. Plus a battle of past champions with Tirinzoni being the defending champs and Dupont winning the title in 2021. This is an exciting Euro rivaly we can only hope continues...perhaps all the way to Torino in 2026?

Team Hasselborg vs. Team Roervik / Team X. Schwaller vs. Team Constantini (Draw 8): We get 2 blockbuster games in the final draw of the RR. All 4 teams SHOULD be in good position to reach the playoffs heading into these final games BUT the results here will impact the playoff bracket.

MEN

ATB Okotoks Classic

Okotoks, AB

2023 Champion: Team Bottcher (now Jacobs)

Format: 24 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers

#Fav: Team Jacobs

The champs are back trying to #DefendTheIce...but with a slight lineup alteration.

The off-season move to replace Brendan Bottcher at skip and bring on Brad Jacobs was well documented all over social media. And the move created quite the buzz among the curling community.

Now the team has to step up and back up the decision.

This will be their first event together and all eyes will be watching to see how the team performs and gels.

Will there be any slight hiccups and "meshing" out of the hack? Or can they just get off and running on ice quickly?

For the remaining members of the team, they will also be trying to achieve a #3peat in Okotoks after winning the event in 2022 and 2023.

Their draw to the playoffs, at least via the A-side, could be tricky. A possible A-SF game against last weekend's champions Team Totzek and, assuming they survive, an A-qualifier against Japan's Team Morozumi or USA's Team Dropkin will be fun.

The defending champions were certainly not handed an easy path to the playoffs. Lets see how the new look team handles the pressure.

#TeamUpset: Team Totzek

It was not the best start of the season for Germany's Team Totzek. After opening the year in Baden and Oslo with a combined record of 1-6, things did not look great as the team headed to Canada for the AB Curling Series Major event last weekend.

They were riding a 6-game losing streak while also watching their main German rivals, Team Muskatewitz, reach consistent playoff brackets in other events.

But something clicked for the German foursome when they reached Canadian ice and they put together an outstanding weekend of curling in Beaumont, going 7-2 overall and claiming the title.

Now the question is whether they can keep the momentum going on Alberta ice, this time in Southern Alberta in Okotoks.

They arrive on a 5-match winning streak so there will be plenty of confidence.

And the potential A-SF game vs. Team Jacobs is one worth watching, should it happen.

A strong showing this weekend may move them out of the #TeamUpset category and into the challenger discussion.

Plus, they want to send a message to their German counterparts letting them know there are 2 quality teams in Germany and the fight to qualify for Euro's and the world championships this season will not be an easy one.

#W2W4

The return of the TKO! After watching some interesting qualification results on tour earlier in the season with LSD numbers and questionable TB procedures, all of those limitations are gone this weekend.

It is a simple #WinAndIn type of mentality with a triple knockout. Avoid 3 losses, any way possible.

But who will the TKO format favour?

Could those teams who have been competing this season but in pool play formats be at a hinderance?

Could teams who are stepping on the ice for only the first or second time in the season benefit or falter?

A triple knockout can also produce more #TeamUpset results to rock the bracket.

Could we see a #CSideGrind game between top contenders like Jacobs and Team Koe? Or Koe vs. Team McEwen?

The pressure is more on the top ranked teams to live up to their "seeding" and progress to the playoffs while those lower seeded teams have everything to gain.

And one upset on your side of the bracket, whether it was your win or not, could open up an "easier" path to the playoffs as well.

This could get very interesting.

#PopcornGames

Team Jacobs vs. Team Totzek (possible A-SF): The defending champs, playing their first event of the season, against a team coming off a championship win last weekend.

Team McEwen vs. Team Maeda (possible A-SF): Both teams have been playing great early in the season and both, should they survive their opening games, will feel confident in making a push to the playoff round.

Team Bunner vs. Team Kleiter (possible A-SF): Similar to the potential match up above, here are two teams arriving in Okotoks with some confidence in how they have played early in the season. Plus, the winner of this potential game may end up facing off with the winner of the above mentioned game in an A-qualifier. All 4 of these teams are going to feel confident in making a playoff push.

Team Koe vs. Team Shuster (possible A-qualifier): Whenever we get a classic Canada vs. USA game on the schedule, it will draw interest from North American curling fans. Plus, Canada is coming off the sweep at the Everest North American Curling Club Championships earlier in the week. USA's Shuster may want some revenge for the Stars & Stripes.

Mother Club Fall Curling Classic

Winnipeg, MB

2023 Champion: Team Maeda

Format: 20 team RR with 4 pools of 5. Top 8 qualify.

#Fav: Team McDonald

No surprise here, right?

The #NextGen team has quickly emerged from #TeamUpset flag bearer to tour event #Fav.

The results on the ice speak for themselves.

U25 NextGen Classic Champions.

Saville Shootout Finalists.

2 events. 2 qualifications. 2 finals. 1 title.

ANY team would take those stats to start their season. They started the season ranked #41 and now sit #33. As consistent results start pouring in, they could continue to climb and inch closer to #gsoc discussion by the end of the season.

Remember, they are also tuning up for next week's PointsBet Invitational where they should be considered a strong #BracketBuster.

Given a favourable draw in Winnipeg, expect another playoff result this weekend.

#TeamUpset: Team Sampson

Are we ready to declare the US men's curling landscape is no longer a 2 or 3 team race?

First we had Team Shuster. Then Team Dropkin. And then Team Casper.

Team Sampson has entered the chat.

And those other 3 teams should start paying attention.

We have seen Sampson compete twice on tour this season, reaching the final at the Icebreaker Challenge and the QF at the Saville Shootout.

Similar to #Fav Team McDonald, this is a team who has put together a consistent and strong start to the season.

Their path to the playoffs could be a bit tricky, drawing Team Forrester, Team Ede and Team Peters.

But, given the momentum they are riding thus far this season, a qualification ticket and deep playoff run should not surprise anyone either.

#W2W4

This is a Manitoba-led field on home ice. And the first opportunity for these teams to get a leg up on the competition early in the #BuffaloHunt race for later in the season.

We know it can be a long tour season and teams, especially staying closer to home, will face one another multiple times in the season. But drawing first blood and early bragging rights can carry a ton of momentum into the season and future matchups.

Keep your eyes on those Manitoba teams and see which look strong early and which have some work to do to catch up.

But also watch out for the strong contingent of American teams in the field.

There are 6 teams representing the Stars & Stripes. How many of them could reach the playoffs and steal a qualification ticket from a home town team? 2? 4? All 6?

#PopcornGames

Team Sampson vs. Team Forrester (Draw 3): The opening game for Sampson but the 2nd game for Forrester. And the result could have heavy weight towards the qualification picture.

Team McDonald vs. Team R. Smith (Draw 5): It was not too long ago we were saying watch out for Riley Smith. And the potential remains. But now he draws the next Manitoba "wonderkid" in Jordan McDonald. Huge game with huge playoff potential.

KW Fall Classic

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

2023 Champion: Team Champ

Format: 19 team triple knockout with 8 qualifiers.

#Fav: Team Yanagisawa

Never underestimate Japan's Team Yanagisawa.

And do not let the #25 world ranking fool you either. This is a #gsoc talented team and one is quite capable of knocking off any team in the world any weekend on tour.

This will be their 4th event of the season, having qualified in their past 2 events. They even reached a tour final at the end of August in Tokoro, Japan.

We saw them a few weekends ago at the Stu Sells Oakville event, reaching the QF before being blitzed by Team Gushue 10-0.

Hopefully they have had some time to put that one-sided loss behind them, regroup and get ready to maybe blitz a few teams of their own.

We have seen them put up one-sided scores a few times this season: 8-0 (vs. Ogiwara), 10-1 (vs. Nakahara), 7-0 (vs. Mulima).

And each of those results came at a different event.

Does this mean they are due for another lopsided win this weekend? If so, against who?

#TeamUpset: Team Chandler

Is curling early and more often an advantage or disadvantage?

This is always the debate at the start of the curling season as European teams and Asian teams play events in August while Canadian teams and American teams continue to celebrate the summer.

Team Chandler went a different route as a Canadian team this season.

They went across the pond and competed at 3 European tour events: Baden Masters, Euro Super Series, Oslo Cup.

Now we watch and find out if the decision to curl early against top Euro teams was the right decision and will it pay off in the long run?

The team did not qualify for the playoffs at their 3 Euro events, going a combined 3-8.

But, on the positive side, they did knock off 3 teams ranked above them: Team Hoesli, Team Bryce, Team Totzek.

Hoesli and Totzek have also collected tour titles already this season too.

We saw the team return to Canadian ice at Stu Sells Oakville, where they missed the playoffs but finished with a respectable 3-3 overall record for the weekend.

The improvement is there and the results are coming. Could it happen this weekend?

#W2W4

There is a ton of change on the Ontario men's curling front. New look teams and new formations have emerged everywhere.

And now we sit back and see which, if any, will prove to be a positive pairing.

Eyes are focused on teams like Team Epping and Fournier.

Alex Champ is the defending champion but arrives trying to #DefendTheIce with a new team too.

Team Dunnam and Team Chandler are teams to watch out for.

And we have the strong Japanese duo of teams, Team Yanagisawa and Team Hirata, who could silence the home ice fans quick and show the strength of Japanese curling if not in numbers but in results.

#PopcornGames

Team Dunnam vs. Team Chandler (A-QF): A tough opening draw for both teams, both of which have to come into this event thinking they have a strong shot at snagging a playoff ticket. The loser will be against the wall early.

Team Kean vs. Team Steep (A-QF): Similar note to the above matchup, what a tough opener for 2 teams who have high aspirations coming into this event.

Team Epping vs. Team Fournier (possible A-qualifier): What a battle this would be. Whether it happens in the A-qualifier or elsewhere within the draw, these are two very well-known and familiar skips. We also send thoughts and prayers to Michael Fournier and his family as it was announced earlier this week his mother passed away last Sunday. Send all the positive vibes to the Fournier family rock heads.

Match Town Trophy

Jonkoping, SWE

2023 Champion: Team Krause

Format: 18 team RR with 3 pools of 6. Top 8 qualify.

#Fav: Team Nyman

They may not be the highest ranked team in the field but when there is a Nordic Curling Tour event, and on home ice, this team shows up.

Look at the Oslo Cup as a recent example. The team went 4-2 overall, reaching the SF before losing to eventual champions Team Hoesli.

Do not let the #44 ranking next to their name fool you.

This team remains one of the most dangerous teams on the Nordic Curling Tour.

Nyman won this title in 2022 and reached the QF last year so history is also on their side.

#TeamUpset: Team Gilli

Not familiar with the name "Stefano Gilli"? You might want to start recognizing the name curling fans.

The Italian #NextGen skip enters the season fresh off a World Junior Curling Championship runner-up finish last season.

This season we will be watching to see how the team transitions from the junior ice to the men's game.

And this is a perfect litmus test event to see where they are at.

They will draw experienced teams like Team Schnider, Team Bryce and Team Magnusson.

A playoff spot may be out of reach given the experience of their competition; however, if they can pick up a few wins along the way who knows what will happen.

Keep your eyes on this rising team. Italian curling is on the move folks.

#W2W4

Overall, this is a fairly wide open field. There is a mix between some Top 30 teams, some Top 60 teams, some sub-Top 100 teams.

Those 8 playoff bracket spots are ripe for the picking...it just is a question of who wants one of those spots bad enough?

Do not underestimate the lower ranked teams in this field. Last year Denmark's Team Krause did not enter the event as one of the highest ranked teams in the field but they were the last team standing.

Could a similar result take place this season?

#PopcornGames

Team Schnider vs. Team Gilli (Draw 2): The opening game for both teams. If Gilli is going to wave the #TeamUpset flag, it starts with a victory against the higher ranked, more experienced Schnider.

Team Iseli vs. Team Hostmaelingen (Draw 7): The final RR game for both teams could have the biggest impact of the playoff bracket. Both teams should be in qualifier positions heading into the game but the winner might win the pool and have a better playoff path to the final.

MIXED DOUBLES

Mixed Doubles Super Series - Calgary

Calgary, AB

2023 Champion: Team Matsumura/Tanida

Format: 14 team RR with 2 pools of 7. Top 6 qualify.

#Fav: Team Kaldvee/Lill

The #1 ranked duo from Estonia enter the season in unfamiliar territory. They are now the hunted.

After so many years of strong, consistent results, everything came together last season for Kaldvee/Lill.

They reached the MD world championship final, securing a first-ever world championship podium result for their nation.

They ascended to the top of the world rankings.

And now they need to defend their ranking while everyone else is looking to knock them off.

It is a different mindset when you reach the #1 world ranking spot. And it is one of the hardest spots to hold on to in sports. Tough to achieve, easy to lose.

How will the Estonians handle the pressure? They reached the Final 4 last weekend on home ice in Tallinn but were defeated in the SF.

They will be tested in Calgary as this is a world class event. They will face off against some high profile, and familiar, names: Team Jones/Laing, Team Martin/Laycock and Team Cotter/Cotter.

Not to mention also drawing defending champions Team Matsumura/Tanida.

Yikes!

#TeamUpset: Team Abbes/Harsch

Speaking of last weekend in Tallinn, Germany's Team Abbes/Harsch were also competing at the Tallinn Mixed Doubles International event.

After taking an opening game loss, they rebounded quick to reel off 4 straight wins and book a playoff spot.

While they may have fallen to Team Paulova/Paul in the QF, it was a strong result for the German pair.

Now we see if they can continue carrying the positive momentum across the water and onto Canada ice.

With this strong field, there are no easy games.

Look at their draw: Perret/Rios, Koana/Aoki, Gill/Hewitt, Walker/Muyres. And yes, those are their first 4 games of the competition.

Double Yikes!!

#W2W4

This field is incredible. Just look at all those names mentioned above.

You want to know what to watch for?

Watch for EVERYTHING HAPPENING EVERYWHERE!

Each draw. Each game. They are all blockbusters this weekend in Calgary.

And only 6 teams make the playoffs?

5 of the Top 10 teams in the world are here.

9 of the Top 20.

This may be one of the most competitive mixed doubles events we see on tour this season.

Triple Yikes!!!

#PopcornGames

Team Gill/Hewitt vs. Team Walker/Muyres (Draw 1): What a game to kick off the event.

Team Kaldvee/Lill vs. Team Matsumura/Tanida (Draw 2): The #1 team in the world vs. the defending champs.

Team Walker/Muyres vs. Team Koana/Aoki (Draw 2): The #3 ranked team in the world vs. the #4 ranked team in the world.

Team Kaldvee/Lill vs. Team Jones/Laing (Draw 3): The Estonians face the former Canadian champions right after playing the defending event champions.

#TwineTimePredictions

ATB Okotoks Classic 

Qualifiers: Team Jacobs, Team Koe, Team McEwen, Team Morozumi, Team Shuster, Team Brunner, Team Abe, Team Maeda

CHAMPIONSHIP (M): Team Jacobs def. Team McEwen

Hack2House Alberta Curling Series Major 

Qualifiers: Team Gim, Team Wang, Team Tabata, Team Yoshimura, Team Sturmay, Team Sasaki

CHAMPIONSHIP (W): Team Gim def. Team Tabata

Mother Club Fall Curling Classic

Qualifiers (W): Team Carey, Team Fujisawa, Team T. Peterson, Team Strouse, Team Ueno, Team B. Peterson, Team McCarville, Team McMakin

Qualifiers (M): Team McDonald, Team Calvert, Team Sinnett, Team Sampson, Team R. Smith, Team Wendling, Team Grassie, Team Forrester

CHAMPIONSHIP (W): Team Fujisawa def. Team Carey

CHAMPIONSHIP (M): Team McDonald def. Team Calvert

KW Fall Classic

Qualifiers (W): Team E. Kim, Team Kitazawa, Team Ha, Team Ladouceur, Team Rizzo, Team Howard, Team Artichuk, Team Brandwood

Qualifiers (M): Team Yanagisawa, Team Epping, Team Hirata, Team Fournier, Team Kean, Team King, Team Dunnam, Team Ferris

CHAMPIONSHIP (W): Team E. Kim def. Team Ha

CHAMPIONSHIP (M): Team Yanagisawa def. Team Epping

Womens Masters Basel

Qualifiers: Team Tirinzoni, Team Hasselborg, Team Wrana, Team X. Schwaller, Team Dupont, Team Roervik, Team Bjoernstad, Team Constantini

CHAMPIONSHIP (W): Team Hasselborg def. Team Tirinzoni

Match Town Trophy 

Qualifiers: Team Hostmaelinger, Team Nyman, Team Bryce, Team Iseli, Team Harstad, Team Schnider, Team Magnusson, Team Jermann

CHAMPIONSHIP (M): Team Nyman def. Team Bryce

Mixed Doubles Super Series - Calgary

Qualifiers: Team Kaldvee/Lill, Team Walker/Muyres, Team Matsumura/Tanida, Team Koana/Aoki, Team Martin/Laycock, Team Gill/Hewitt

CHAMPIONSHIP (MD): Team Walker/Muyres def. Team Koana/Aoki

#StayTuned

The blog will return next week with an update to the weekly #PowerRankings. How will the weekend results shake up the mountain?

Plus the blog prepares for the #Sweep16 next week in Calgary with the 2024 PointsBet Invitational. Are you ready to fill out your brackets?

For those competing this weekend, good luck and good curling.

⛰ 👀