Power Rankings - W12

 #BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings - Week 12

To play "Library" or not to play "Library"? That is the question!

It is often believed the week or two after a #GSOC event is when top curling teams play a little game called "Library".

You know this game, right? If you ever babysat siblings or young ones, you should be very familiar.

The game where everyone has to pretend they are in a library and be quiet.

Similar to the curling environment after a slam event. The top teams go quiet and stay out of the house for a week or two.

Or do they?

We may want to start putting *some* of that notion to bed because this past weekend we saw many top teams compete at tour events, especially many top international women's teams.

And while the blog has been riding high on the Japanese women making moves this season, this weekend pointed out another nation should be raising curling fan eyebrows as well.

Watch out for Korea. 

The Korea women took home 2 tour titles this weekend, both successful #DefendTheIce moments too.

Plus another Korean women's team reached a tour final as did a Korean men's team.

Is Korea the "new Japan" for the season?

And will these results equate to Korean teams making moves up the Power Rankings mountain?

Lets go climbing and find out...

#ButFirst, here is a quick recap of what has happened in the curling scene over the past few weeks:

#TheRunback

🥌 Stu Sells Toronto Tankard (W) - Team E. Kim (KOR) def. Team Tirinzoni (SUI): The past two champions at this event squared off in the championship final. And both reached the final undefeated, having qualified for the playoffs via the A-side. What more could you ask for on the excitement factor? In the end, Korea's Team Kim was able to #DefendTheIce and secure back-to-back Stu Sells Toronto Tankard championships. Kim reached the final via playoffs wins over #CSideGrind Team McCarville (QF) and B-qualifier Team Schwaller (SF). For Tirinzoni, their path to the final included wins over C-qualifier Team Burns (QF) and B-Qualifier Team Wrana (SF). 

🥌 Stu Sells Toronto Tankard (M) - Team Epping (ON) def. Team Jeong (KOR): A perfect 7-0 weekend for Team Epping in capturing the tour title in Toronto. After qualifying A-side for the playoffs, Epping's path the final included victories over C-qualifier Team Beuk (QF) and B-qualifier Team Ramsfjell (SF). For Jeong, they reached the playoff bracket taking the long road via the #CSideGrind and knocked off A-qualifier Team Champ (QF) and B-qualifier Team Hoesli (SF).

🥌 Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic (W) - Team Gim (KOR) def. Team Wang (CHN): Speaking of Korean teams taking #CSideGrind pathways towards championship finals, enter the chat Team Gim. Gim, as the two-time defending champions, found themselves in the C-side early but rallied to win 3 games on Sunday to qualify. Their opponents in the final had a similar path, also qualifying for the playoffs via the C-side. For Gim, her playoff path to the final included wins over B-qualifier Team Fujisawa (QF) and fellow C-qualifier Team Silvernagle (SF). For Wang, they defeated B-qualifier Team Skrlik (QF) and A-qualifier Team B. Peterson (SF) to reach the final. The final was also a rematch of a B-side game earlier in the event, which was won by Wang. 

🥌 MCT Challenge (M) - Team Smith (MB) def. Team Walter (MB): It was a Clash of the Undefeated in the championship final. Both Team Smith and Team Walter entered the final with identical 4-0 records. Both needed to take the extra long path to A-qualification, going 3-0 on the A-side to earn the playoff ticket and bye to the SF. For Smith, they would defeat B-qualifier Italy's Team Colli to reach the final while Walter knocked off C-qualifier Team Forrester.

🥌 MCT Challenge (W) - Team McLeod (MB) def. Team S. Kim (KOR): Team McLeod may have lost their opening game in the A-side but they would never suffer defeat again over the weekend, culminating in a championship performance. McLeod qualified for the playoffs via the B-side and knocked off C-qualifier Team Prokopowich (QF) and A-qualifier Team McMakin (SF) to reach the final. For Korea's Team S. Kim, they took the shortest path possible to the final. They needed to only win 2 games to qualify for the playoffs via the A-side. This earned them a bye to the SF where they defeated B-qualifier Team Johnson to reach the final. 3 wins to book a ticket to a tour final might be the shortest path ever taken. Unfortunately for Team Kim, it did not result in a tour title.

🥌 Steele Cup Cash (M) - Team Grattan (NB) def. Team Thompson (NS): The home province fans went home happy when New Brunswick's Team Grattan knocked off Nova Scotia's Team Thompson in the championship final. For both finalists, they qualified for the playoffs with 2-1 RR records, meaning both took the longer road to the final. Grattan picked up playoff wins over Team Stewart (QF) and undefeated Team Robichaud (SF). Thompson's path to the final included wins over Team Jones (QF) and undefeated Team MacIssac (SF).

🥌 Steele Cup Cash (W) - Team Black (NS) def. Team Adams (NB): We saw another championship final contested between 2 undefeated rinks. Team Black and Team Adams qualified for the playoffs with identical 4-0 RR records, each topping their respective pools. In the playoffs, Black would defeat Team Campbell to reach the final while Adams knocked off Team DiCarlo in the second SF. Black's win in the final also ensured neighbouring Atlantic Canada province/main rival New Brunswick would not go 2-for-2 on home ice.

🥌 Regina Highland SaskTour Spiel (M) - Team Knapp (SK) def. Team Jacobson (SK): A perfect holiday weekend for Team Knapp, picking up a tour title with a 6-0 overall record. Knapp qualified via the A-side and scored playoff wins over C-qualifier Team Ede (QF) and B-qualifier Team Moser (SF). Jacobson rode the #CSideGrind path to the playoffs and picked up wins over A-qualifier Team Thomas (QF) and B-qualifier Team Carss (SF).

🥌 Regina Highland Rocktoberfest (W) - Team Selzer (SK) def. Team Tisdale (SK): The Highland Curling Club proved to give "Thanks" to both of its champions this weekend as Team Selzer also went 5-0 to claim the title, similar to men's champion Team Knapp. Selzer reached the playoffs via the A-side, earning a bye to the SF where they would defeat B-qualifier Team Englot. Tisdale took the longer path to the playoffs, qualifying via the B-side and scoring playoffs wins over C-qualifier Team Martin (QF) and A-qualifier Team Barker (SF).

🥌 McKee Homes Fall Curling Classic (M) - Team Jacques (AB) def. Team Hood (NZL): Chalk up a perfect 6-0 weekend for Team Jacques in claiming the title in Airdrie, AB. After posting a 3-0 RR record to qualify for the playoffs, Jacques defeated Team Friesz (QF) and Team Tao (SF) to reach the final. The Kiwi's took the longer path to the final after losing their final RR game but still qualifying for the playoffs with a 2-1 RR record. In the playoffs, Team Hood would defeat Team Slupski (PO), Team Adams (QF) and Team Tym (SF) to reach the championship game.

🥌 Tallinn Ladies International Challenger (W) - Team Yildiz (TUR) def. Team Turmann (EST): Lets celebrate another team going undefeated over the weekend to claim a tour title. Turkey's Team Yildiz went 4-0 in the RR to qualify for the playoffs. Once there, they reached the final with playoff wins over Lithuania's Team Paulauskaite (QF) and Norway's Team Bjoernstad (SF). For home fav Team Turmann, they qualified for the playoffs with a 2-2 record, securing one of the final playoff spots via the LSD TB. In the playoffs, Turmann defeated Switzerland's Team Huerlimann (QF) and Sweden's Team Dryburgh (SF) to reach the final. The final was also a rematch from the RR, which Yildiz also won.

The blog did not have full previews for all the tour events this past weekend. However, there were previews and #TwineTimePredictions for the events taking place in Toronto and Calgary.

🥌 Stu Sells Toronto Tankard (W) - 5 of 8 qualifiers, including both finalists (Tirinzoni, E. Kim)

🥌 Stu Sells Toronto Tankard (M) - 3 of 8 qualifiers.

🥌 Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic (W) - 3 of 8 playoff qualifiers, including one finalist (Gim).

Well, that was not a good weekend for TwineTime Predictions. Yikes! The worst of the season thus far.

Be Better #TwineTime, Be Better!!

Lets go back to curling's most viewed mountain ⛰

And the blog must have been tired last week when publishing the Power Rankings. As was called out by a loyal reader, the mountain only had 9 women's teams mentioned. Where was Team Lucky #7? And who SHOULD have been listed as #7?

Any guesses?

Remember, the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in last weeks Power Rankings post.

#PowerRankings

MEN

1. Team Mouat (1)

Last Week: Did Not Compete (DNC)

The Tour Challenge champions enjoyed a weekend off...kind of. Most of the team is actually competing right now in a mixed doubles event in Gstaad, SUI.

No rest for the #1 team on the mountain.

2. Team McEwen (2)

Last Week: DNC

The Sask champs enjoyed a weekend off before getting back on the ice this upcoming weekend in Ontario.

3. Team Gushue (3)

Last Week: DNC

No on-ice action but PLENTY of off-ice action for the Canadian champions.

The gossip mill swirled all weekend over who would join the team. The answer came to be on Tuesday morning when Gushue announced Brendan Bottcher would join the team at second.

Our first look at the new lineup will be in Lacombe, AB at the Pan Continental Curling Championships, where Team Gushue will represent Team Canada and is the two-time defending champions.

Worth noting, Gushue will be competing in Ontario this weekend as well but with alternate Adam Casey stepping in.

4. Team Schwaller (4)

Last Week: DNC

Similar story to the rest of the top teams above them, Team Schwaller enjoyed a weekend off.

5. Team Hoesli (6)

Last Week: Stu Sells Toronto Tankard - SF

From the Tour Challenge Tier II playoffs to the Stu Sells Toronto Tankard playoffs.

Youth really does have energy, don't they?! Anyone else jealous??

The young Swiss team continues to make moves with great results on the ice. Always a playoff threat.

6. Team Whyte (5)

Last Week: DNC

Similar to their main Scottish rivals above, members of Team Whyte might not have competed this weekend but are in Gstaad, SUI competing in mixed doubles.

7. Team Kleiter (7)

Last Week: DNC

The Tour Challenge Tier II winners enjoyed a Thanksgiving weekend...probably giving thanks to themselves for their #gsoc title win.

And we will see them at the Canadian Open in Nisku, AB next month.

8. Team Ramsfjell (HM)

Last Week: Stu Sells Toronto Tankard - SF

The Tour Challenge Tier II runner-up would not let the final loss linger long as they got right back on the ice this past weekend in Toronto.

And how do you eliminate the loss of a final from the previous week? With a great weekend of curling and another deep playoff run.

Sure, they did not make the final in Toronto but reaching the SF is still a great finish.

This team is consistently showing to be one of the best in the world. Are they the new dark horse towards the 2025 world championship?

9. Team Muskatewitz (8)

Last Week: DNC

The Germans are in preparation mode as the Euro qualifier vs. Team Totzek is coming up.

This is going to be a fun rivalry series. Team Muskatewitz does stream all their games via their YouTube channel if you want to watch how this Euro qualifier series plays out.

10. Team Jacobs (9)

Last Week: DNC

Hmmm, with Team Gushue and Team Koe breaking in new teammates now, is Team Jacobs salivating at their odds for the rest of the season?

Team McEwen has been on fire but is Team Jacobs now passing Team Gushue as the second-best odds to win the Brier this year?

And wait until they face Team Gushue in the future. I wonder if Bottcher is getting excited for the opportunity to take on his former teammates?

Honourable Mention: Team Epping, Team Craik, Team McDonald, Team Retornaz, Team Jacques

WOMEN

1. Team Homan (1)

Last Week: DNC

The top team in the land enjoyed the views atop the mountain this weekend and gave thanks for the successes.

It will be fun to see them represent Canada at the upcoming Pan Continental Curling Championships, where they will find themselves up against another top ranked team...

2. Team Gim (2)

Last Week: Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic - Champions

Not only did Team Gim #DefendTheIce but they did so via the #CSideGrind.

And they made #HERstory by becoming the 1st ever team to #3peat at the event. With an event dating back to 1978 and the Wall of Champions who have had success at the Calgary Curling Club, this is a pretty amazing accomplishment.

Team Gim is the defending #PCCC champion as well remember.

3. Team E. Kim (7)

Last Week: Stu Sells Toronto Tankard - Champions

Remember the trivia question above on which team SHOULD have been included in the Top 10 last week in the coveted #7 spot?

Here is your answer folks. Yes, it would have gone to Korea's Team E. Kim after their QF appearance at the Tour Challenge Tier I.

The blog slighted them last week and they went on the ice and made sure the blog took notice this week.

They successfully were able to #DefendTheIce in Toronto and knocked off some top quality names like McCarville (twice!), Wrana, Schwaller and Tirinzoni to post the perfect record on the weekend.

Welcome to the Top 3! 

4. Team Fujisawa (3)

Last Week: Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic - QF

The Fujisawa - Gim rivalry continues to heat up.

Fujisawa got the better of their Korean rivals at the Tour Challenge.

Gim returned the favour to their Japanese counterparts at the Autumn Gold.

Can we keep seeing these two teams play one another in the playoff rounds?

They both may not like that idea but the curling fans sure benefit.

5. Team Tirinzoni (9)

Last Week: Stu Sells Toronto Tankard - Finalist

Missed playoffs at the Tour Challenge. Who remembers that?

This is the sign of a championship team. After a disappointing result the previous weekend, they go out and dominate the competing with a deep playoff run the very next weekend.

Sure they came up just short of the title in the final BUT the results and rebound are worth noticing.

Welcome back to the Top 5!

6. Team Black (10)

Last Week: Steele Cup Cash - Champions

Team Black was not going to play "library" over the holiday weekend.

After winning the Tour Challenge Tier II championship, one would not blame them for taking the time off to give thanks.

However, they decided to continue riding the momentum from PEI into New Brunswick.

The result? Back-to-back tour titles for #TeamBluenose.

Wait until we see them on Tier I ice folks. A dangerous #TeamUpset has emerged for the season in Canada.

7. Team Hasselborg (HM)

Last Week: Stu Sells Toronto Tankard - QF

The #SwedishVikings return to the Top 10, coming off their QF appearance over the weekend.

The result also kept them at the #4 world ranking, avoiding being passed by Stu Sells champ Team Kim.

Always a threat in every event. But their main rivals, Team Wrana, did finally get the better of them in Toronto by eliminating them in the QF.

8. Team Schwaller (NR)

Last Week: Stu Sells Toronto Tankard - SF

A similar theme to their Swiss rivals mentioned above, after just missing the playoffs at the #gsoc event, Team Schwaller jumped right back on the ice this weekend to re-gain some confidence and momentum.

And they did just that with their SF appearance.

At the 2 Stu Sells events this season, Schwaller now has 1 title (Oakville) and 1 SF (Toronto).

Are they going to be the overall Stu Sells champions of the season?

9. Team Einarson (8)

Last Week: DNC

The Tour Challenge Tier I champions did take the weekend off and give thanks for their #gsoc title.

And hopefully giving thanks for a speedy recovery to second Shannon Birchard.

They only take a slight dip on the mountain due to inactivity and the great weekend results from those teams just above them.

10. Team Skrlik (HM)

Last Week: Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic - QF

You know who had it rough in PEI? Team Skrlik.

It is never fun to lose A, B and C-qualifier games. You play the most games out of everyone over the TKO format and your reward was...still going home early.

Heading into this weekend, all eyes would be on Skrlik. Not just because they had home ice advantage at the Autumn Gold Curling Classic nor because skip Kayla Skrlik is on the Board of Directors for the event at the Calgary Curling Club BUT because fans wanted to see how they would rebound.

Well they rebounded quite nicely by reaching the playoff round.

Their A-qualifier game vs. Team Ueno was one of the best games of the weekend, a true back and forth contest. And while Skrlik lost that game, they rebounded to qualify B-side.

And nobody was more well aware of the Asian domination this weekend than Team Skrlik. They played 7 games this weekend. 6 of them were against Asian teams. 3 against Japan. 2 against China (both vs. Wang). 1 against Korea. Overall, they went 4-2 against the Asian continent.

Shoutout to Margot Flemming as well. She is the new addition to the team (previously playing with #PolarPower Team Galusha) and the transition has been very smooth...with great results.

Honourable Mention: Team Wang, Team Yoshimura, Team Constantini, Team Lawes, Team Tabata

#StayTuned

Remember, the 2024 World Mixed Curling Championship is underway in Scotland. Stay up to date on all the results HERE.

Plus check out the full #WMxCC2024 Preview post for a full Pool by Pool analysis with predictions.

And if you missed #TwineTime in the booth doing commentary at the Autumn Gold Curling Classic, you can always go back and have a listen HERE.

A special THANK YOU to the organizers and fellow volunteers at the Autumn Gold Curling Classic. It was truly an honour (and a surprise) to be invited back for commentary this year. I hope I did not disappoint and look forward to doing it again in the future.

#ROCKtober continues with more tour events on the schedule this upcoming weekend, including a blockbuster men's event in Ontario. The blog will return with weekend previews and predictions later in the week.

Until then, happy curling.