Playdown Party 2025

 #BetweenTheSheets: Playdown Party 2025

Who can punch a ticket to the Scotties and Brier?

Let the tradition continue and the party resume.

This upcoming week will be THE BIGGEST PLAYDOWN PARTY of the season!!

We have EIGHT (8!!) women's provincial playdown championships to watch.

We have SIX (6!!) men's provincial playdown championships to watch.

And #TwineTime has the FULL PREVIEW of all FOURTEEN (14!!!!!) championships for you rock heads.

As a #TwineTime loyal reader and follower, consider this your invite into the party as well.

And of course this is why the BIGGEST PLAYDOWN PARTY blog post of the season welcomes back the Wayne's World graphic to open this post. We don't mess with tradition, right?

Ready to "Party On"??!!

Before we dive into the playdown previews, lets take a quick moment to congratulate our recent #GSOC champions.

The Scottish men proved to be too strong once again...but it was a different clan standing atop the mountain this time.

Team Whyte knocked off Team Jacobs in the championship final to claim their first slam title. After being on the cusp of breakthrough for a few seasons now, it all came together in Guelph for the lads and they can now call themselves slam champions.

The Homan Empire roared into another slam final but was upended by the surging Swedish Vikings. Team Hasselborg ended the Team Homan slam success story by knocking off the #1 team in the world in the championship final.

Consider this an official "We are back!" announcement from Team Hasselborg as they collect their first slam since the 2022 Players' Championship...and looked perfect in doing so.

Canada, as a whole, struggled on home ice. Only 2 men's (Jacobs, Team Dunstone) and 2 women's (Homan, Team Einarson) qualified for the playoff bracket. 

The European men and Asian women continued to show they are the dominant continents in their respective disciplines. And while the Asian women did not take home the title, they put more teams in the playoff bracket than Canada.

And we aren't ready to talk about Team Gushue going 0-4 at The Masters yet, are we curling fam? I know this is a sore subject for many curling fans. Consider it a Blue Monday for some.

But this is sport. Someone has to win. Someone has to lose. It happens. We will see how this result affects Team Gushue going forward as they prepare to #DefendTheIce at the 2025 Brier as Team Canada once again.

Congratulations to Team Whyte and Team Hasselborg on their victories. Both are deserving champions.

Plus Anna Hasselborg did take home the #GSOC Double in also winning the Grand Slam of Karaoke championship belt Saturday night...a mere few hours before winning the title on the ice.

Now we shift our focus to home soil. Provincial championships are the talk of the week.

Welcome to the Playdown Party.

Lets get caught up on who is already waiting in the VIP Lounge.

#STOH2025

Four more tickets were punched to the Scotties with playdown championships wrapping up in NWT, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Congratulations to the following teams who are now getting ready for the main event in Calgary AB:

#TeamCanada - Team Homan

#PQ1 - Team Einarson

#PQ2 - Team Lawes

#PQ3 - Team Sturmay

#TeamArctic - Team Weagle

#PurplePower:  Team Scoffin

#PolarPower:  Team Galusha

#Labelleprovince: Team St-Georges

#TeamAcadia:  Team Adams

#TeamBluenose:  Team Black

We have the return of some familiar faces...and a rookie debut.

We already knew the pre-qualifiers...until we didn't.

Kerri Einarson pulled the heist of the century in "stealing" Karlee Burgess away from Team Carey when it was announced Shannon Birchard would be unable to return this season due to her lingering injury. We continue to wish Birchard a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the ice soon.

And while Einarson already had a Scotties ticket, her move created a triple ripple effect. For one, it made the current edition of Team Carey now ineligible for the Scotties and Olympic Trials berth due to only have 2 originally qualified team members remaining. Team Carey is now on the outside looking in.

Second, it handed Einarson the Olympic Trials spot. Hence the heist idea. She took a player from an opposing team AND took their Olympic Trials ticket with her.

Third, Team Sturmay became the biggest Team Einarson fans (and perhaps so did some Alberta teams). With Carey ineligible for the Scotties pre-qualifier berth now, Sturmay slid into the position and punched a ticket themselves. They now get to avoid the provincial championship this week, which also opens the door for Alberta to have a second team in the field.

Kerry Galusha is still the Queen of the North. Even with taking on a new, and younger, team this season, Galusha is not ready to give up the throne quite yet. And this year will be extra special as she will be stepping foot on Scotties ice beside her daughter, and teammate, Sydney. What a special moment this will be for the Galusha/Koe family.

Melissa Adams swept through the competition in New Brunswick to successfully #DefendTheIce and return to the Scotties. Adams went undefeated in winning the A, B and C-qualifiers to earn the direct ticket with no playoff games required.

Black is Back. And maybe Black is the New Red? Christina Black is having herself an outstanding season, currently sitting #4 on the Canadian rankings. Her team went undefeated in claiming the Nova Scotia championship. The Tour Challenge Tier II winners are ready to make another playoff push?

Laurie St-Georges will be back on Scotties ice this season. St-Georges won her 5th Quebec championship over the weekend, going undefeated along the way. St-Georges is one of those dangerous teams who nobody wants to see in their pool.

Team Scoffin will return to the Scotties for a sophomore appearance after sweeping away Team Wallingham 3 games to 1 in the Best-of-5 Yukon championship.

And welcome to the Scotties ice Team Julia Weagle in Nunavut. Weagle was the only team entered into the Nunavut championship. With no opposition in the playdowns, the ticket was theirs to take. And yes, the last name should be familiar as skip Julia Weagle is the sister of Lisa Weagle.

Both Weagle's will be on the Scotties ice this year with Julia skipping Nunavut and Lisa playing lead for Quebec.

The Scotties truly are a family affair, no?

The full Scotties field will be finalized in one week's time when the remaining provincial championships wrap up.

#Brier2025

The field in Regina added another team to the draw this past weekend. Congratulations to the following qualified teams:

#TeamCanada - Team Gushue
#PQ1 - Team Jacobs

#PQ2 - Team McEwen

#PQ3 - Team Dunstone

#TeamArctic - Team Latimer
#PurplePower - Team Scoffin

#Labelleprovince: Team Asselin

#TeamBluenose:  Team Purcell

Similar to the Scotties field, the pre-party re-introduced us to some familiar names and opened the door to a rookie.

Team Jacobs, Team McEwen and Team Dunstone solidified their spots in the field months ago as the pre-qualifiers.

Up north, Team Scoffin will make a return trip to the Brier after sweeping the Best-of-5 Yukon championship over Team Mikkelsen. This marks Thomas Scoffin's 6th territorial championship too.

Another successful #DefendTheIce from up north came in Nunavut with Team Latimer sweeping the Best-of-5 Nunavut championship over Team Mackey. Latimer becomes the 3rd skip to go back-to-back at the territorial championship (Dave St. Louis 2018-19, Peter Mackey 2021-22). Latimer, statistically wise, has been the most successful Nunavut team at the Brier, posting a 1-7 record last year and curling 73% collectively as a team.

Felix Asselin will be back on Brier this season. After losing the Quebec final last season, Team Asselin had revenge on their minds this season. After losing the A-qualifier, Asselin would not take another loss in winning the Quebec Tankard over Team Desjardins. For Jean-Michel Menard, this will be his first Brier since 2017 and his 12th overall.

On the opposite end of the experience spectrum, we welcome a Brier rookie into the field. Owen Purcell completes the transition from junior success to Brier participant this season in winning the Nova Scotia championship, knocking off Team Thompson in the final. The early top consideration for #TeamUpset flag bearer?

The field will be completed on February 9 when the final tickets are handed out in Alberta and Manitoba.

Ok rock heads. Grad your cold beverages and hot snacks. As Pink said, it is time to "Get this party started right now!"

Bring on the #PlaydownPreviews.

Playdown Previews

#STOH2025

#TeamPacific

Langley, BC

2024 Champion: Team Grandy

Format: 8 team RR with Top 4 qualifiers advancing to Page Playoff.

#Fav: Team MacMillan

The champs are back, for the most part.

Skipper Clancy Grandy has stepped away from the ice as she prepares for an upcoming marriage to new GSOC champion Robin Brydone and is set to welcome a new baby into the house.

Kayla MacMillan returns to the skipping duties as the team welcomed new member Sarah Daniels.

The transition seems to be a smooth one overall. The team reached the playoffs at the Tour Challenge Tier II, ending with a QF finish.

They also reached the SF in Red Deer and Stirling, SCO this season.

This has been the face of B.C. women's curling for the past few years and will aim for a #3peat this week.

Remember, they reached the championship pool at the 2023 Scotties and finished with a strong 5-3 record last year, just missing the playoffs.

#TeamUpset: Team Jackson-Baier

Last year, Stephanie Jackson-Baier just missed a TB at the B.C. Scotties, finishing with a 2-5 record.

This season Jackson-Baier is hoping adding experience to the lineup pays off.

Welcome Diane Gushulak!

Gushulak is no stranger to B.C. championships, she did skip her own team here last year (1-6 record). And two years ago she won a bronze medal win at the Canadian Senior Curling Championships. She skipped her senior women's team to a 5th place finish at the Canadian championships in 2024.

The experience factor could be the difference maker for Jackson-Baier.

The team has had a few strong results on the B.C. tour this season as well, winning a tour title in Kamloops and making the final in Victoria.

#W2W4

Who secures the final playoff spot?

MacMillan and Team Brown will be the overwhelming favourites heading into the event. They both should snag playoff spots with little problem.

Team Reese-Hansen is right behind the front runners, posing as the main challenger to the top contenders.

If the CTRS rankings hold true, those three should be safe for the page playoff.

But who snags that coveted final spot?

Jackson-Baier is waving the #TeamUpset flag.

Do not overlook Team Kristen Ryan, who also had a strong B.C. tour season.

And we know teams who fight for a final ticket to a provincial playdown can come in hot as well, which could bode well for Team Sarah Walk and Team Holly Hafeli.

Watch out for Walk, she is a past B.C. champion remember too (2019). 

Qualifiers: Team MacMillan, Team Brown, Team Reese-Hansen, Team Jackson-Baier 

British Columbia Championship: Team MacMillan def. Team Reese-Hansen

#ABStrong

Rimbey, AB

2024 Champion: Team Sturmay

Format: 12 team triple knockout with 4 qualifiers to the page playoff.

#Fav: Team Skrlik

Nobody was happier to see Team Sturmay be handed a pre-qualification spot in the Scotties field than perhaps Team Skrlik.

Skrlik lost the provincial final a year ago to Sturmay and her path back to the Scotties ice may have just become a bit less tricky.

Of course no disrespect to the competition, you still must go win your games.

But lets put respect on the Skrlik name as well for the season they are having.

Did you know they are the #3 ranked team on the CTRS? Only Team Homan and Team Einarson are ranked above them right now.

Skrlik announced themselves as a threat this season right out of the hack with the run to the final of the PointsBet Invitational. They were the first true #BracketBusters of the #Sweep16.

It was not a one-off result though. They won tour events in Alberta and Saskatchewan. They reached the final in Oakville and SF at the Shorty Jenkins.

The 2023 Alberta champions are back and the addition of Margot Flemming at vice seems to have a successful add.

Watch out!

#TeamUpset: Team Kaufman

See last year's preview post?

Nicky Kaufman returned to the Alberta Scotties last year for the first time since 2020.

How did she do? She missed out on the playoffs with a 4-3 record due to the TB formula. Solid return, no?

She returns this season looking stronger than last year and ready to make a playoff push.

The team has had a strong season, playing mostly Alberta tour events, highlighted by 3 SF results.

They also won their qualifier event to earn a ticket into this championship.

Kaufman proved to be a strong #TeamUpset flag bearer last season, why not do it again?

#W2W4

Similar to last year, the #NextGen movement is strong in Alberta. And could this be the time the next generation becomes the now generation?

Myla Plett. Gracelyn Richards. Keelie Duncan. Claire Booth. Hannah Phillips. The list continues to grow of upstart #NextGen Alberta teams.

Serena Gray-Withers would obviously be included in this list as well but she made the decision to represent Team Canada at the World Winter University Games, going on right now in Italy. 

But lets not put our experienced teams out to Alberta pasture yet either.

Skrlik, still only 27 years old of course, is going to be tough competition.

What about Robyn Silvernagle? She is curling out of Alberta now remember and has joined forces with 3 very strong and experienced ladies: Jessie Hunkin, Jessie Haughian and Kristie Moore.

Janis DeJong and Michelle Hartwell are no strangers to Alberta championship ice either.

Which will reign supreme this week: Experience or #NextGen?

Qualifiers: Team Skrlik, Team Silvernagle, Team Plett, Team Kaufman

Alberta Championship: Team Skrlik def. Team Silvernagle


#TeamGreen

Kindersley, SK

2024 Champion: Team Ackerman

Format: 6 team RR with Top 2 advancing to final.

#Fav: Team Thevenot

The champs are back...for the most part.

Skip Skylar Ackerman made the decision to step away from the game at the end of last season. A move supported by those within the curling circle as she begins to plan for her future.

The remaining members of the team stayed together though, added Brittany Tran from Alberta, and remain the top ranked team in Saskatchewan this season.

Ashley Thevenot stepped into the house as skip, moving up from vice, and Tran transitioned into the open spot at 3rd.

And the success has continued off last season's breakout performance at the Scotties. This season the team has captured 2 tour titles and made 2 additional finals.

They also competed at the Tour Challenge Tier II event.

Lets not forget the success Tran has had this season in mixed doubles, recently making the playoffs at the Olympic Trials with partner Rylan Kleiter.

The difference heading into this year's provincial championship is how the young guns fair with the target on their back. Last year they were the under the radar team who surprised a few people and won it all. 

There is no radar to fly under when you are the defending champions. Can they survive the pressure?

#TeamUpset: Team McCartney

Jessica McCartney has been one of the top skips on the Sask Curling Tour since 2022. McCartney (nee Mitchell) has been knocking on the Saskatchewan door for a few season.

Is this finally the year the door opens?

Last year we saw this team have their best finish at a provincial championship, being on the cusp of the playoffs and losing the TB game to Michelle Englot.

Being so close to the playoffs will leave a taste of redemption (and revenge) in your mouth for an entire year.

This has been a solid season for Team McCartney, reaching a SF in Moose Jaw and qualifying in 3 additional Sask Tour events.

We saw what happened last year when a team flew under the radar.

Could the 2025 Team McCartney be the 2024 Team Ackerman?

#W2W4

Can a field be both completely wide open but also scattered with experience and talent?

Usually experience and/or past champions highlight a provincial championship and take the lead.

This field has both. Experience/past champions but also a field that feels very wide open.

When we say a championship is there for the taking, in Saskatchewan it really is.

The top contender names are here like last year's finalist Nancy Martin and previous champions Amber Holland, Michelle Englot and Penny Barker. Add Ashley Thevenot to the list now as well.

But we also have a few regular challengers looking to finally break through like McCartney and Mandy Selzer and Brooklyn Stevenson.

All eyes may be on the return of Jolene Campbell. Campbell is originally from Saskatoon but curling fans may be more familiar with her recently curling out of rival province Manitoba, including a Scotties appearance in 2022 (her 5th appearance overall).

Can Campbell be welcomed back into Saskatchewan and take a provincial title?

Qualifiers: Team Martin, Team Thevenot, Team Campbell, Team Barker

Saskatchewan Championship: Team Campbell def. Team Barker


#BuffaloHunt

Pilot Mound, MB

2024 Champion: Team Lawes 

Format: 12 team RR with 2 pools of 6. Top 3 in each pool advance to Championship Pool RR. Top 3 qualify for playoffs with 1st place earning a bye to the final and 2nd vs. 3rd in the SF.

#Fav: Team Cameron

The 2024 Scotties bronze medal winners will look to earn their ticket back to the big dance and win a provincial championship.

Team Cameron has had a "flying under the radar" type of season. They reached the SF at the PointsBet Invitational and have mostly played tour events on the Prairies.

When teams do not play in #GSOC events, curling fans sometimes forget just how good some teams still are. Enter the chat Team Cameron.

A perfect example of a team who is not playing in the slams but is still fresh off a podium finish at last year's nationals.

And it is not like they are underperforming on tour either.

Ok, perhaps no tour titles on their brooms but they have 2 final appearances, 2 SF appearances and 2 QF appearances to brag about.

Don't forget they have Allison Flaxey on the ice with them this week too, being #SuperSpare for Brianna Cullen who is representing Canada at the World Winter University Games. Flaxey's experience is a huge advantage.

Plus, they were handed a more advantageous pool out the gate so qualifying for the Championship Pool should not be a problem.

#TeamUpset: Team Robertson

Is this the year Darcy Robertson returns to her status as one of the most dangerous and successful Manitoba skips?

Robertson has been to 3 Scotties but her last appearance was in 2009. Can the 59 year old show she is still capable of curling with the #NextGen...and beat them?

Robertson has joined forces with another notable Manitoba skip, Rhonda Varnes. Varnes has been in Manitoba, shifted to Ontario, jumped back out west to Alberta and returned to Manitoba in 2023.

Could this be the perfect backend experienced duo to make a playoff threat?

The team did reach a tour final in October and before Christmas made the QF at the tour event in Swift Current.

Experience can play a major factor in provincial championships and the Robertson/Varnes combo has it in spades.

#W2W4

No Einarson. No Jones/Carey. No Lawes. No Campbell. Advantage everyone else!

This may be the most wide open Manitoba championship ever, now knows as the RME Women of the Rings by the way. Different name but ok, lets run with it.

Team Cameron and Team Beth Peterson are going to be the strong favourites of course. Cameron off her Scotties run last year, Peterson off reaching the championship final here last year.

The question is who else steps up to the plate? Those Championship Pool spots are right for the taking with Cameron and Peterson being in opposite RR pools to start. 2 additional spots, 4 overall, are waiting for teams to seize the opportunity.

And once you reach the Championship Pool, anything can happen. Step 1 is to get there.

Plus, once there, there is still a final playoff ticket up for grabs if we assume Cameron/Peterson are the favs.

Could a surprise team get on a roll, find magic on the Pilot Mound ice and "steal" a surprise Manitoba championship?

Bring on THAT drama.....

Championship Pool Qualifiers: Team Cameron, Team Peterson, Team Kaatz, Team Robertson, Team McLeod, Team Watling

Playoff Qualifiers: Team Peterson, Team Cameron, Team Robertson

Manitoba Championship: Team Peterson def. Team Cameron


#CurlON

Cobourg, ON

2024 Champion: Team Inglis

Format: 12 team triple knockout with 4 qualifiers.

#Fav: Team Inglis

The hunter is now the hunted.

This will be a new feeling for Danielle Inglis.

Gone are the Ontario championships where she would enter and be chasing down the "big dogs" and defending champions. 

Now she IS the defending champion. Does that change the perspective a bit? The sports psychology side of the sport? Maybe?! Maybe not?!

Inglis has had an up and down season. It has been mixed with strong results, like 3 QF finishes on tour, but also sprinkled with some misses and failing to qualify at tour events too.

But the team could be peaking at the right time after playing in the GSOC Masters last week. While they may not have reached the playoffs, they won their final 2 RR games to stay alive and did advance to the TB game.

The question is can Inglis survive the target on her back and #DefendTheIce?

#TeamUpset: Team Brandwood

Quick, name the highest ranked Ontario team on the CTRS?

Ok, trick question. It is obviously Team Homan.

But who is #2?

Enter the chat Chelsea Brandwood!

Our #Fav and defending champ, Team Inglis, actually ranks behind Team Brandwood. Ok, the difference is less than 0.5 points but still...Brandwood is an emerging threat folks.

While they have not landed in the winner's circle on tour this season, they do have 2 final appearances and another SF result proving they can go deep into a playoff bracket once they qualify.

Brandwood's history at the Ontario provincial championship is not the greatest, having finished with a single win in 2020 and 2023.

But could the triple knockout format be an advantage to her over the old RR format? She enters the competition as one of the top seeds and earned a first round bye.

#W2W4

With Team Homan enjoying the maple leaf this season, it is an advantageous time to curl in Ontario.

And with the 3 pre-qualification spots reserved in the Scotties field now, Ontario is in a great position to have 2 representatives at the national championship in the foreseeable future.

Inglis took advantage last year. Can she do it again this year?

Or do we see another team step into the slider and start making a name for themself?

Qualifiers: Team Inglis, Team Duncan, Team Brandwood, Team Ladouceur

Ontario Championship: Team Inglis def. Team Brandwood


#FearTheMoose

Thunder Bay, ON

2024 Champion: Team McCarville

Format: 7 team RR with Top 3 qualifying and 1st place earning bye to final.

#Fav: Team McCarville

Are you surprised?

Everyone is tabbing Krista McCarville as the #Fav to make another Scotties appearance. If she is successful here in Thunder Bay, she will make her 12th appearance on the national stage.

She remains the face that runs the place in Northern Ontario.

And, as per usual, we only saw this team compete at a few tour events this season. But they did pick up a tour title, reached another tour final and qualified in their other event. 3 for 3 on qualification with a tour title sounds like the consistent season resume we have come to expect from Team McCarville over the years.

Why mess with success?

#TeamUpset: Team Artichuk

But IF McCarville is to slip up, watch out for Team Artichuk.

McCarville currently sits #17 on the CRTS but Artichuk is not that far behind, sitting at #24.

When the team kicked off the season with a SF result at the U25 NextGen Classic in Edmonton, it was like putting the country (and perhaps McCarville) on notice that this team is ready to make moves this season.

They reached the QF at 3 additional tour events, including the always competitive Stu Sells Toronto, and look ready to mount a serious threat to the Queen of Northern Ontario.

Keep your eyes on this team.

#W2W4

All about opportunity here. The winning team will not only punch a ticket to the Scotties but they will advance to be the home team with Thunder Bay playing host to the 2025 Scotties.

Players always want to make it to a national championship. But to also do so on home ice and have the crowd be fully behind you every time you step on the ice, those are magical moments.

It will be hard for the field to take down the juggernaut known as Krista McCarville of course.

But this is why we play the games. Anything can happen.

And that is a VERY dangerous #NextGen team waving the #TeamUpset flag this season.

Qualifiers: Team McCarville, Team Artichuk, Team Mann

Northern Ontario Championship: Team McCarville def. Team Artichuk

#TheIslanders

Bloomfield, PEI

2024 Champion: Team DiCarlo

Format: 7 team triple knockout with 3 qualifiers.

#Fav: Team DiCarlo

The champs are back to defend the title.

Jane DiCarlo surprised a few in the curling community last season when she won the PEI title. Now we will see how the upstart team responds as the defending champions.

We have not seen this team a ton this season, having only entered 2 tour events. However, they did reach the SF at Steele Cup Cash event in New Brunswick. An event won by newly crowned Nova Scotia champ Team Black, who defeated a returning New Brunswick champ Team Adams in the final.

The experience of last season's championship win, coupled with the deep playoff run at a tour event this season, could play to their advantage.

#TeamUpset: The Field 

Team DiCarlo was a surprise winner last season. Who is to say it cannot happen again with another team in this field this season?

This competition is wide open. Any of the remaining teams, Team Blades, Team MacLean, Team Selkirk, could pull a "DiCarlo" of their own at this championship.

DiCarlo gets the nod on last year's experience but the field is wide open.

#W2W4

Who takes advantage?

DiCarlo did not roll through the championship last season remember. They won the A-qualifier but lost in the B and C events and needed to pull the double playoff win over Team Power to win the championship.

Anything could happen here!

And that is what makes a provincial championship fun to watch. Unpredictability. New faces. New teams.

DiCarlo enters as the highest ranked CTRS team, sitting at #97 with the next closest team being Team Blades at #136.

The highest ranked CTRS team, Team Bradley, is not here competing. Neither is last year's finalist, Team Power.

As the blog says, #StayTuned!

Qualifiers: Team DiCarlo, Team Blades, Team Selkirk

Prince Edward Island Championship: Team DiCarlo def. Team Blades

#TheRock

St. John's, NL

2024 Champion: Team Curtis

Format: 6 team RR with Top 2 advancing to championship final.

#Fav: Team Curtis

In the late 2010's, Stacie Curtis was becoming the name of NL women's curling. She went to 3 straight Scotties (2016, 2017, 2018) to hit the 5 appearance mark after previously representing The Rock in 2011 and 2013.

Curtis was the face that ran the place.

Following the 2018 season, she moved to Miami and stepped away from the sport. This move surprised a few curling fans as it appeared Curtis was on the crux of becoming one of the best female NL curlers behind greats like Cathy Cunningham, Heather and Laura Strong and Laura Phillips.

Fast forward to 2023 and Curtis returned to NL and picked up the broom once again. And she has picked up right where she left off, no rust on the slider.

She heads into the 2025 NL championship as the two-time defending champion looking for her second #3peat at the event.

We only saw the team compete at 1 tour event this season, reaching the SF at the Rick Rowsell Classic in December.

The positive? They reached the SF with a 4-2 record. Of those 4 wins, 3 were against teams they will face this week.

The negative? 2 of those losses were also against teams they will face this week. And is 1 tour event enough time on competitive ice to win another provincial championship?

We are about to find out...

#TeamUpset: Team Boland

Is this finally the year Sarah Boland wins a provincial championship and heads to a Scotties without a pandemic plaguing the planet?

Boland does have 2 Scotties appearances under the slider. They came in 2021, when the provincial championship was just a Best-of-5 series between 2 teams, and in 2022, when there was no provincial championship and provincial/territorial reps were assigned.

One could say COVID-19 provided the career highlights for Boland on the national stage. But who wants to give a pandemic praise? And that doesn't take away from Boland's successes either.

Now we are in a "regular" season and Boland could be primed to capture a non-pandemic provincial championship.

Similar to Team Curtis, the team only competed in 1 tour event this season. It was also the Rick Rowsell Classic. But they went 1 round better than the #Favs above, reaching the championship final with a 4-2 record. And all 4 wins came against teams they will face off against this week.

Plus, they may have a wildcard factor sitting on the bench: Laura Strong. Strong will be the alternate this week. Strong is an 8-time NL champion and her experience and expertise could be the difference maker.

#W2W4

While the teams competing in the championship may not be found at or near the top of the CTRS, do not discredit the skillset on the ice.

Nor think this is not going to be a very tightly contested championship. The top teams entered are all very close to one another on the CTRS:

Team Godsland (#94). Team Boland (#106). Team Curtis (#115).Team Dunn (#141).

Team Blandford and Team Vautour did not have a ranking placement.

The results of 1 tour event really dictate where these teams stand against one another. And really, all of them proved they are equally capable of picking up wins against one another.

Curtis and Boland have won this title before. Godsland lost the final last year.

Qualifiers: Team Curtis, Team Godsland

Newfoundland and Labrador Championship:  Team Curtis def. Team Godsland

#Brier2025

#TeamPacific

Langley, BC

2024 Champion: Team Schneider

Format:  12 team triple knockout with 4 qualifiers advancing to Page Playoff.

#Fav: Team Pierce

Brent Pierce is back. And that should concern his fellow B.C. competitors.

Pierce has been a regular top contender for the B.C. championship for a number of years. He has 4 Brier appearances under the slider, most recent being 2022.

And now Pierce is seeking the #5Alive title...with an slightly altered lineup.

Last season he curler with Kyler Kleibrink and they lost the 3vs4 page playoff game to eventual runner-up Team Montgomery.

This season he has joined forces with Matthew Blandford and hoping this back-end combo can go even deeper...all the way to being the home ice team at the 2025 Brier.

Blandford is still seeking his 1st Brier appearance, having competed in his home province of Newfoundland & Labrador but also in Alberta and Yukon.

Blandford also has a claim to fame as being the last skip to defeat Brad Gushue at a provincial championship (2010 NL Tankard RR).

This has been a strong season for Team Pierce as they sit #15 on the CTRS and are right in the hunt for the Olympic Trials.

They have 1 tour final, 2 SF and 1 QF under the slider this season. But they really turned some heads in Swift Current in December, reaching the SF and knocking off teams named Gushue, Carruthers and McEwen.

They have experience. They are peaking at the right time. They are dangerous opposition this week.

#TeamUpset: Team Montgomery

Can last year's finalist really be considered a #TeamUpset?

If we go by the current CTRS, Montgomery enters this year's B.C. championship as the #6 seed behind Pierce, Team de Jong, Team Venance, Team Richard and Team Kolomaya.

So yes, a #6 seed in a 12-team triple knockout would qualify as a #TeamUpset flag bearer.

But do not let the rankings fool you either.

Montgomery has won 2 tour titles this season and reached a QF. The "ranking" could be more due to lack of competitive ice play compared to teams ranked above then results. It may be a Quantity over Quality comparison here. Other teams have more ice time. Montgomery has tour titles.

Whether the lack of competitive tour ice time catches up to them this week is still to be seen.

They took the #CSideGrind path all the way to the championship final last season. What will they do this season?

#W2W4

B.C. is becoming a province where change is almost a given. We expect players to jump around. Teams to look different from one season to the next.

Consistent team rosters is becoming a thing of the past.

Just look at our defending champions. Oh wait...you can't look at them. They aren't here. They no longer exist (as teammates).

Is B.C. competitive? Yes.

Is it getting a reputation of a dumpster fire for team continuity? Perhaps.

Anyone who watched last year's championship saw highly competitive, yet arguably a bit tough to watch, moments on the ice among competitors. 

Passion to win is great. Respect towards fellow competitors should be expected.

What is B.C. going to deliver this year? More drama?

The only thing we know is we know nothing at all.

Besides a new champion WILL be crowned! Whether it is a familiar face or a new face though, time will tell.

Qualifiers: Team Pierce, Team Venance. Team Kolomaya, Team Montgomery

British Columbia Championship: Team Pierce def. Team Venance

#TeamGreen

Kindersley, SK

2024 Champion: Team McEwen

Format: 9 team RR with Top 4 advancing to the page playoff.

#Fav: Team Kleiter

This could be the year of Rylan Kleiter.

With defending champion Mike McEwen out of the provincial picture due to securing a pre-qualification ticket to the Brier, last year's finalist Kleiter moves into the #Fav position.

And Kleiter has been knocking on this door for a few seasons now.

But this is not just a knock on the Saskatchewan door. Kleiter has begun knocking on the national door too. The team is up to a #7 CTRS ranking heading into this championship.

They are establishing themselves as not only the future of Canadian curling but making an argument for being the present too. 

Remember, this team won the Tour Challenge Tier II and did qualify for 2 #GSOC events this season. Ok so their slam record may be 1-7 overall but they are there competing with the best in the world.

And Kleiter himself is still only 26 years old. This is how athletes get better and make moves, by competing with the best. Ask Brad Gushue how many tough losses he took in his early career. Look where he is now.

The question for Kleiter heading into this championship is how he responds to the pressure of being a #Fav and knowing this may be his best opportunity to claim a Sasky green jacket.

We always say it is much easier to be the hunter than the hunted. Kleiter, consider yourself the hunted now. Will he survive or be taken down?

#TeamUpset: Team Thomas

Welcome back Charley Thomas.

The two-time Canadian and World junior champion (2006, 2007) makes a long awaited return to provincial championship ice.

And who would have guessed it would happen in neighbouring province Saskatchewan for the 38 year old long-standing Albertan (who was actually born in Victoria, B.C.)?

Thomas did find success after juniors on the mixed doubles scene, representing Canada at the 2015 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship with partner Kalynn Park. And we did see him curl out of Ontario for a few seasons.

But now he is back to full-time competitive curling and the competition better watch out. Out of juniors, Thomas was tagged as one of the bright stars of the Canadian curling scene. He had the game and competitive edge.

And this season has showed he still has both. His new team, based out of Langenburg, SK, is having a strong debut season. They are 21-16 on the season, having reached the QF at 4 SaskTour curling events.

Thomas could be the most dangerous "under the radar" team in any men's provincial championship across the country this season.

#W2W4

We will see how the new competitive format plays out this season.

Saskatchewan made the decision this year to have the women's and men's championship events run at the same time in the same venue.

In doing so, the qualification standards and format needed to change. Now only 9 teams qualified for the event. And gone is the 2 pool system.

This season there will be 1 pool of 9 teams, each playing one another once and the Top 4 advancing to the Page Playoff format.

The 1 pool format does allow more room for error. Before, under the 2 pool format, 2 losses would be close to 1 too many.

Now, with 4 qualifiers from 9 teams, teams can probably afford 3 (maybe even 4) RR losses and still have playoff aspirations. It changes the dynamic of the event. And a bit of reduction in player stress hopefully.

But it sure makes for a long week of RR games being cramped into 5 days.

Qualifiers: Team Kleiter, Team Knapp, Team Laycock, Team Thomas

Saskatchewan Championship: Team Kleiter def. Team Thomas

#CurlON

Cobourg, ON

2024 Champion: Team Howard

Format: 12 team triple knockout with 4 qualifiers.

#Fav: Team Mooibroek

Is this FINALLY the breakthrough season for Sam Mooibroek?

Last year, this blog predicted Mooibroek to win the Ontario title and make their Brier debut.

Mooibroek ended up losing the A, B and C-qualifier games to miss the playoffs in the most heartbreaking way possible.

Fast forward to this year and we will see if last year's heartbreak leads to this seasons success?

Mooibroek is the highest ranked team in the field, currently sitting #8 on the CTRS, ahead of names like Koe, Carruthers and Howard.

They won a tour title. They reached another tour final. They reached the SF at the Tour Challenge Tier II. They reached the SF at the U25 NextGen Classic, an event Mooibroek has won before.

From a stats and results perspective, this should be the season for Sam Mooibroek.

Add in welcoming Ryan Wiebe to the team and this could be the winning combination.

#TeamUpset: Team King 

Last season the blog listed Team King as the #TeamUpset flag bearer for this event and look what happened. They reached the championship final.

See, the blog doesn't only curse teams folks.

So lets stick with the flag bearer for a second consecutive season and see what happens.

A strong rookie campaign can turn some heads. But what you do in a sophomore appearance can tell the real story.

There is no flying under the radar this season for Team King. And we often see sophomore slumps in sports.

Can Jayden King avoid it?

King is ranked #14 on the CTRS and is a #4 seed in this field based on those rankings.

And while the team has no tour titles under the slider this season, they have 2 final appearances, 2 SF appearances and 3 QF appearances to hold their heads high on.

Many eyes will be on this #NextGen team this week.

#W2W4

Ontario is always going to be competitive. There will always be up and coming #NextGen athletes ready to surprise the field. And there will always be past champions ready to reclaim championship glory.

This season is no different.

Names like Mooibroek, King, Landan Rooney, Kibo Mulima are ready to take Ontario curling into a new direction with new faces.

Scott Howard, Mark Kean, Pat Ferris, Jonathan Beuk and Travis Fanset are not ready to just turn over keys to the club to the young guns yet.

This championship will be a battle of the generations.

If you are a fan of The Challenge reality show, you would know Season 40 just wrapped up as a Battle of the Eras season. We ended up seeing champions emerge from various eras in the show, including from Era 1 and Era 4.

Which prevails in Ontario curling this week? The OGs or The New Blood?

Qualifiers: Team Mooibroek, Team Kean, Team Howard, Team King

Ontario Championship: Team Kean def. Team Mooibroek


#FearTheMoose

Thunder Bay, ON

2024 Champion: Team Bonot

Format: 13 team triple knockout with 3 qualifier positions. A-qualifier earns bye to championship final.

#Fav: Team Epping

John Epping is back to chase down another provincial championship.

But this time it will not be just Ontario. He heads north to Moose Country.

Epping has joined forces with the Horgan brothers, Tanner and Jacob, alongside Ian McMillan in hopes of earning a trip back to the Brier for the first time since 2021.

Epping will be the clear favourite in Thunder Bay. The team sits #5 on the CTRS and is coming off a strong finish to the WFG Masters.

They are 51-15 on the season, having qualified in 9 events. They have 5 tour titles under the slider and an additional finals appearance. Plus 3 other QF results.

All the stats and numbers and results point to Team Epping taking this championship and booking a ticket to Kelowna.

#TeamUpset: Team Adams Jr.

Two seasons ago, Team Adams Jr. was the team the blog was watching at this championship. But they bowed out early with a 2-3 record.

Last year, the blog decided to hold firm on the team and keep them as a #TeamUpset flag bearer. And again they came up short, losing the B and C qualifier games.

Is this the season for Brian Adams Jr. OR is this #3peat proving a #TwineTime blog curse?

Time to find out.

And if it is a blog curse, apologies to Team Adams Jr. in advance.

#W2W4

Last year the Major League of Curling predicted the 2024 champion. Team Bonot pulled the double.

Could the same happen this year?

Well unfortunately not since league play is still underway and the playoffs do not happen until the first weekend in February.

BUT, can the current standings tell us anything?

If so, Team Zach Warkentin is the team to beat this week. They lead the league standings with an impressive 15-2 record.

The rest of the Top 5 are: Team Hackner (14-3), Team Bonot (13-4), Team Adams Jr. (12-5) and Team Rosengren (12-5).

Al Hackner is coaching Team Bonot this week. Team Rosengren is not competing this week.

But if the Major League of Curling standings are to be accurate, Warkentin, Bonot and Adams Jr should be the main challengers to Epping.

Lets see if this holds true once the final rock spins.

Qualifiers: Team Epping, Team Bonot, Team Adams Jr. 

Northern Ontario Championship: Team Epping def. Team Bonot

#TheIslanders

Bloomfield, PEI

2024 Champion: Team Smith

Format: 9 team triple knockout with 3 qualifiers.

#Fav: Team Smith

Tyler Smith will attempt the #5peat this week in Bloomfield.

The defending champion has represented PEI at every Brier since 2021 and has become the name of PEI men's curling.

Now, to be fair to the stats, he played vice at the 2021 Brier with Eddie MacKenzie and was awarded the spot in the 2022 Brier due to the COVID-19 pandemic as skip of his new team.

So this is a #5peat but also a #3peat, if that makes sense?

The #3peat has only been done twice in PEI men's curling championship history: Wendell MacDonald (1954 - 1956) and Mac McLaine (1938 - 1940).

Tyler Smith is trying to join some VERY exclusive company in becoming only the 3rd skip to ever win 3 straight PEI championships. Many have done it back-to-back but few can do it thrice.

Smith is the highest ranked team in the field, sitting #54 on the CTRS. The team may be a modest 10-10 record on the season but they have qualified in 2 of 3 events, reaching 1 tour final and 1 SF.

And lets remember what this team did in Regina last year at the 2024 Brier, going 4-1 out the gate and losing a heartbreaking final RR game to just miss the playoffs with a 5-3 record.

This is a REALLY good team folks.

#TeamUpset: The Field 

Smith will be the overwhelming favourite here.

So do you take the #Fav or take the field?

Darren Higgins and Tyler Harris lost qualifier games to Smith last season and both are back to contend this season.

Both may be considered co-#TeamUpset flag bearers in trying to derail the Tyler Smith train to Kelowna.

#W2W4

Smith has proven himself to be PEI championship pedigree.

Can another team in this field give him a run?

Last year Smith won the A, B and C qualifiers to earn the title with no playoff required.

Can anyone step into the hack this season and stop #HIStory from being made?

Qualifiers: Team Smith, Team Higgins, Team Harris

Prince Edward Island Championship: Team Smith def. Team Higgins 

#TheRock

St. John's, NL

2024 Champion: Team Symonds

Format: 12 team triple knockout with 4 qualifiers to the page playoff.

#Fav: Team Smith

Greg Smith may enter the event ranked #79 on the season CTRS but he is still the top ranked team in NL.

And he is a two-time champion (2018, 2021).

But the results this season have not been as strong as last season. And last season he came up short at this event, losing the championship final to Team Symonds.

Smith has been competing (and traveling) this season. They have played 5 tour events spanning 4 provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador).

And while they only have 1 qualification under the slider, it was a SF result at the Rick Rowsell Classic. They went 5-1 at the event, including 4 wins against teams competing alongside them this week.

Smith is also a fan favourite, which sometimes can be beneficial in tight games having crowd support cheering you on.

But the team is still looking for that peak performance on the season. Now is the time to find it.

#TeamUpset: Team Schuh

If Smith is the highest ranked team in the field, who is ranked #2?

Defending champion Team Symonds? Past champion Team Young? Familiar names like Peddigrew or Thomas?

Nope, it would be Cory Schuh.

If you want to find a perfect under the radar team to rally behind, Team Schuh could be your team.

While they may have a modest 6-4 record on the season, they have reached the QF in 2 of their 3 events.

Schuh is no stranger to this event, having previously curled with Trent Skanes in 2022 and 2023, both times missing the playoffs by 1 game.

Watch out for the Pink & Teal attack this week in St. John's folks.

#W2W4

Perhaps the best summary here is a cut & paste from a year ago:

This is a sneaky strong field.

And with only 3 playoff spots available, good teams will go home early.

With Brad Gushue continuing to hold down the Team Canada jacket, the rest of the province continues to try and capitalize on him not being here.

But when Gushue finally relinquishes that maple leaf, he will be back. And the path to the Brier will get that much more difficult.

Teams in NL have been enjoying the ride. Continue to enjoy it while you can.

And try to be the one to seize the day...and the opportunity.

As an added bonus for this year, keep your eyes on Coach Jeff Thomas. He is listed as doing double duty this week coaching Team Young and Team Tipple. Imagine if they end up landing on the same side of a bracket. What does Coach Thomas do?

I would also keep my eye on Ty Dilello. Curling fans may be familiar with the name, previously curling out of Manitoba. He has jumped ship to The Rock and is curling with last year's SF Ryan McNeil Lamswood.

This could be a VERY dangerous duo.

Qualifiers: Team Symonds, Team Smith, Team Dilello, Team Schuh

Newfoundland and Labrador Championship: Team Symonds def. Team Schuh

#StayTuned 

There you have it rock heads.

The ANNUAL PLAYDOWN PARTY PREVIEW blog post!!!

If you made it to the end, congratulations and THANK YOU!

Most important though, enjoy ALL the curling action this week. There is streaming everywhere so your curling eyes will have lots to watch.

You might want to have a few TVs and monitors set up to stay on top of all the action.

For those competing and chasing Scotties/Brier dreams, good luck and good curling.

And from an international championship lens, the USA Curling National Championships hit the ice in Duluth, MN starting Monday January 27.

The Swedish Curling Championships begin in Harnosand, SWE on Thursday January 30.

And the Japanese Curling Championships start Sunday February 2 in Yokohama, JPN.