#STOH2025 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: STOH 2025 Preview

The Homan Empire vs. Canada

Canada's best female curlers are ready to hit the ice in Thunder Bay with one goal in mind: Dethrone the Empire.

The Homan Empire that is.

Team Homan has been dominating the curling house for two seasons now. It started last year and has continued this year with their impressive overall record and #GSOC titles.

And while we mean it in jest, there is some fact behind the statement of The Homan Empire vs. Canada.

The Empire has only taken 4 hits this season. None were knockout shots to bring them down.

And of those 4 losses this season, only 1 has come from a fellow Canadian team (Team Einarson, Tour Challenge Tier I final).

Can The Homan Empire reign supreme over the Fort William Gardens ice in Thunder Bay, ON?

Or will a surprise challenger emerge to take down the overwhelming #Fav?

Everyone loves a good underdog story, right? We love to cheer on a #TeamUpset or two, right?

Are you ready for the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts?

Before we dive into the field, including #PowerRankings, seeding and predictions, there are a few hot topics we need to discuss.

Format Reminder

We saw this new championship round format last year and it will return for another season.

Mixed reviews overall and it is still a bit difficult to tell if this is the "right" playoff format after only a single year of existence.

We were saying similar during the 2022 and 2023 Scotties when a new format was adapted then. Here we are a few years later trying yet again another format.

Lets hope we can finally find the "right" format in the near future.

What does make this format better is the reward for results. If you finish 1st or 2nd in your pool, you have double-dip opportunity to qualify for the Final Four page playoff. You can actually slip up in one playoff game and still be alive.

The reduction of teams "advancing" is still a concern. But look at Major League Baseball. So many teams, so little amount of playoff spots.

And with the parity we saw at last year's Scotties, where 1 pool had 5 teams tied for 1 playoff spot with 4-4 records, maybe we need to adapt once again in the near future?

But alas, here we are for 2025. As a reminder on how the playoff structure works, the Top 3 from each RR pool advance to the Championship Round, which is a playoff elimination bracket, to narrow the field down to our required 4 for the page playoff.

The first qualifier games will pit 1st Place in Pool A vs. 2nd Place in Pool B and 1st Place in Pool B vs. 2nd Place in Pool A.

The two winners of those qualifier games advance to the Page Playoff 1vs2 game.

The two losers will drop to the second qualifier games, facing off against the two 3rd place teams in Pool A and Pool B.

The two winners of these second qualifier games advance to the Page Playoff 3vs4 game while the two losers will be eliminated from the competition.

Got all that?

And remember, NO TIEBREAKERS!!

If teams are tied for playoff positions, the Head 2 Head record will be the first tiebreaker.

If more than two teams are tied, combined Head 2 Head record will still be used as the first tiebreaker. Should the H2H not break the tie, the Last Stone Draw (LSD) total will determine the final standings.

And we saw it happen last year with 5 teams finished with 4-4 records and all 5 finished with 2-2 H2H records. Team Lawes was the ultimate victor in the scenario, having the lowest combined LSD to snag the final Championship Round playoff spot.

The question is will we may see 3 teams from 1 pool in the page playoff once again?

It happened last year when Ontario (Homan) and Manitoba (Jones) won their Championship Round qualifier games to advance to the page playoff while Manitoba (Cameron) won the second qualifier game. All 3 teams played out of Pool B. Alberta (Sturmay) was the lone page playoff team from Pool A.

Will one pool dominate the competition this year as well?

Sandra Schmirler Foundation

Do not forget the Sandra Schmirler Foundation telethon continues, this year taking place on Sunday February 16.

Every year the blog donates to the great cause and challenges every reader of this post to donate as well. Any amount can make a difference.

And, if you are able to donate and feel comfortable doing so, post on SM your support and tag the Sandra Schmirler Foundation in your post. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Remember to use the hashtag #ChampionsStartSmall as well to help spread the message and encourage donations, both on telethon day but anytime throughout the year.

For more information on the telethon, including how to donate, visit the website HERE.

Pool Pick'Em

Want to play some fantasy curling, pick'em style?

OfficePools has a great pool play pick'em game for the Scotties. All you need to do is register a team (free of charge) and pick the winners of each game throughout the event. Most points wins.

And how about a prize for 1st place?!?!?

With a special THANK YOU to Gravity Management, the winner of the Pick'em Pool will receive a SIGNED Team Homan jersey 😍

If you want to register to play (again FREE!), HERE is the link to the Rock Heads pool.

Ok, bring on the 2025 rock talk.

#PowerRankings

The Power Rankings return!

The teams are provided a "seed" based on their ranking. Note, these are #TwineTime Power Rankings. The CTRS ranking for each team and the Curling Canada event ranking is in parenthesis.

Lets first look at the 18 seeds and then break down pool play and predictions:

1. #TeamCanada - Team Homan (CTRS: 1, Event Ranking: 1)

What is there left to say about Team Canada that has not already been said leading into this event?

The fact they have dominated the curling landscape for two years, the numbers speak louder than words.

46 wins this season. Only 4 losses this season. 113 wins and only 11 losses in the past two seasons.

Those are staggering numbers in any sport.

But, perhaps even more impressive, they have only lost to a Canadian team TWICE in two years.

Team Einarson, their main challenger in Thunder Bay, is the only Canadian team to defeat The Homan Empire this season. And odds are, their paths will cross again at STOH.

And, to make things worse for their competition, they added Jennifer Jones on the bench as coach.

The Homan Empire continues to build and grow stronger.

With respect to every other team in the field, it is going to take a monumental, near perfect, game to knock off the defending champions. And you might have to do it twice, something no Canadian team has done in two years.

A Happy Birthday shout out to Emma Miskew, who will celebrate her birthday on opening day of Scotties action (Fri. Feb. 14).

2. #PQ1 - Team Einarson (2, 2)

What a roller coaster ride for Kerri Einarson over the past two seasons. One has to wonder if she is waiting for the ride to stop so she can get off and get back to regular living.

Last year's dramatics over the suspension of Briane Harris right before the Scotties derailed some momentum for the then-Team Canada foursome.

This season Shannon Birchard has been dealing with an injury, taking her out of play all season.

The team has had #SuperSpare and #SuperSpare before finally establishing the team they are bringing to Thunder Bay in hopes of recapturing the Scotties championship they held from 2020 to 2023.

Harris and Birchard are still out. Karlee Burgess has been added in. And Lauren Lenentine has been picked up as alternate.

The Burgess move created quite the ripple effect for Canadian women's curling. Burgess joining the team eliminated her former team, Team Carey, from Scotties eligibility. A move welcomed by Team Sturmay, who picked up the pre-qualification spot.

It also sent Team Einarson into the Olympic trials as an auto-qualifier, replacing Team Carey in the field.

Savage move? Perhaps. Smart strategy? Absolutely.

But now we have to see if the strategy pays off for Team Einarson. The current formation have only played one event together, reaching the QF at The Masters. Is that enough time to come together to make a serious run at this championship?

On the positive side, Einarson is the only Canadian skip to defeat Homan this season (Tour Challenge Tier I final).

3. #ABStrong - Team Skrlik (3, 5)

Is this the under the radar team to watch out for?

We saw what happened at the beginning of the season at the PointsBet Invitational where they were a lower seed with minimal expectation for a deep #Sweep16 run.

Fast forward a few games and they were playing in the championship final. A precursor to the season Team Skrlik were about to have.

They have 2 tour wins under the slider this season and have qualified in 10 of 12 events played. 

Of course we need to mention the 2 events they failed to qualify happened to be against stronger fields on #GSOC ice: Tour Challenge Tier II, The Masters.

On the positive, grand slam ice is still adding to the experience factor of the young team as they continue their climb up the rankings. Sure you may lose to the best in the world but you can also learn from those losses and that may help the Alberta champions this week.

Skrlik has been here before, just missing out on the playoffs with a 4-4 record in 2023. Can she find that extra W this week to hit the magic number of 5, which should get you a championship round spot?

4. #TeamBluenose - Team Black (4, 6)

The most dangerous team in the 2025 Scotties field.

Team Einarson may be considered the main contender to Team Homan's title but should we not be throwing a bit more respect to Christina Black and her Nova Scotia champions?

They have 4 tour titles this season, including the Tour Challenge Tier II. Their season record is 43-9.

They also reached the QF at The National, knocking off higher ranked teams like Constantini, Wrana and Gim.

This season Black welcomed Jill Brothers into the fold, an addition making this team even stronger.

Do you remember the last time we saw Christina Black on Scotties ice? It was in 2023 when she was eliminating heavily favoured Rachel Homan in the championship round to reach the Final Four.

Hmmm, a skip who has beaten Homan on Scotties ice in the past? And in the playoffs?

And we still don't want to consider them a top contender to The Homan Empire?

This is a VERY dangerous team. The question now is whether they can live up to the billing?

5. #PQ2 - Team Lawes (5, 3)

A tail of two seasons for Team Lawes this year.

They opened their season on a tear, reaching 4 SF appearances.

But then they faltered, failing to make the playoffs at 4 straight events.

Hence they arrive in Thunder Bay with a modest 24-23 record overall.

Last year Lawes was the sole survivor of the 4-4 TB debacle but then were eliminated in the championship round by Team Sturmay.

The question heading into the Thunder Bay is which team shows up. The one who started the year with success or the one who is limping into the Scotties struggling to find wins?

We know the talent and experience on this team. On paper alone they should be considered one of the main challengers.

Can they put it all together again this week though?

6. #CurlON - Team Inglis (11, 10)

For many years Danielle Inglis held a title she may never have wanted. She was known as one of the best (and most liked) skips to never compete at a Scotties.

Sure she has been there as a 5th but never in her natural element as a skip.

And then 2024 re-wrote the Inglis curling career script. And now, in 2025, she comes to her second straight Scotties as the two-time defending Ontario champion.

Inglis is in her Scotties Era right now.

Can she build off the rookie appearance from a year ago and improve on the 3-5 RR record though?

We know sophomore slumps are a real thing in sports after all.

It has not been the best season for Inglis. They have only qualified in 2 of 10 tour events. And only sit with a slightly above-.500 record due to their strong results at the Ontario championship (24-23).

But Inglis is also a professional and seems to turn up her game when it matters most. Her strength lies in her communication. She keeps the team positive with her smile and feedback. And sometimes a positive mindframe is what you need to find positive results.

Hmmm, will the baby food return for the 5th end Snack Attack?

The Super Bowl had a number of prop bets. Maybe the best prop bet for the Scotties is trying to guess the flavour of baby food on the Team Inglis bench for the break??!!

7. #BuffaloHunt - Team Cameron (6, 7)

Kate Cameron is back on Scotties ice and will be looking to build off her success from a year ago.

Remember last year when Cameron rode a hot hand into the playoffs and walked away with a bronze medal podium finish?

For some in the curling community, this was considered a #TeamUpset moment.

Can Cameron continue the momentum or will the pressure get to her? There is no hiding this year.

The team has had a strong tour season, reaching 2 finals and 3 SF. Qualifying in 8 of 11 events is a success.

This season has already been a highlight for Cameron in winning her first Manitoba title.

And if you are looking for one of those "fly under the radar" teams to back, the Manitoba champions might fit the bill to perfection.

Expectations are still high but they also fly under the radar of those higher seeded teams in the pool like Einarson, Lawes and Black.

Hmmm, could we see the Manitoba sweep in Pool B? More on that below...

8. #FearTheMoose - Team McCarville (17, 9)

Nobody will be more excited to step on the ice in Thunder Bay for this year's Scotties than Krista McCarville.

Remember the 2022 Scotties. The Scotties in Thunder Bay without fans. Ok fans for one weekend but not really the same.

Krista McCarville remembers. She played a pivotal role in helping Thunder Bay land the Scotties in 2022 only to see those dreams of home ice advantage evaporate due to COVID-19.

Fast forward a few years and McCarville is back. Thunder Bay is back. Fans are back. And home ice advantage will be in her favour.

Not that she needs more of an advantage.

In 2022, she reached the final. Her second Scotties final. McCarville has always proven herself to be one of the toughest skips to beat on Scotties ice. She lures you into her game plan early and before you know it, she has you trapped.

She will also come into the 2025 Scotties with a bit of redemption on her mind. Last year's Scotties ended her consecutive Scotties playoff appearance streak at 7. A streak she would like to end on home ice.

McCarville was also tested in the Northern Ontario playdowns, finding herself trailing in the championship final vs. Team Artichuk and needing to battle back late in the game for the win.

But one thing we know for certain, never underestimate Krista McCarville. And now she is on home ice.

9. #PQ3 - Team Sturmay (12, 4)

Alberta's Team Sturmay may be sending flowers and gifts to Kerri Einarson after Einarson added Karlee Burgess to the team, a move eliminating Team Carey from the Scotties and opening the door for Sturmay to take their place as a pre-qualifier.

Sturmay turned heads at last year's Scotties in Calgary, dominating their RR pool and advancing to the Final Four.

But they have been unable to carry over that momentum into this season. They are sub-.500 for the season and wins have been harder to come by. They have only qualified in 2 of 10 events overall.

They did reach the final of their last tour event in January though so perhaps some confidence and momentum can find their sliders this week too.

This is a tough field and if they are to replicate their performance from a year ago, they are going to have to find that thunderbolt of energy in Thunder Bay.

10. #TeamGreen - Team Martin (22, 12)

Finally. What other word can capture the feeling of Nancy Martin winning the Saskatchewan title this season?

After losing in the provincial final the past 2 seasons, Martin tossed the monkey off her back to win the coveted green jacket. Finally.

Martin has been to the Scotties before of course, as vice with Sherry Anderson in 2021 (The #IceBubble). Anderson will be with Martin this week too, serving time on the bench as coach.

But now the skip known to many curling fans as a mixed doubles specialist will be making her Scotties skipping debut in 2025.

The team has stayed close to home all season, mostly playing events on the SaskTour. They are a modest 23-22 on the season as well.

She is going to have to wave the #TeamUpset flag against a very strong pool to advance.

And a few media outlets have made a note in saying Martin is the oldest skip in the field. Hey, age is just a number, right? It is all about how you feel, not what your driver's license says.

Age brings experience. Experience brings wisdom. And sometimes that is all you need to succeed.

Oh and she will happen to celebrate her birthday on Scotties ice on Monday (Feb. 17).

11. #TeamPacific - Team Brown (9, 8)

Corryn Brown is back at the Scotties, making her 4th appearance in 6 years. She has become the most consistent skip in B.C. women's curling since her Scotties debut in 2020.

Is this finally the year all the experience plays to her advantage though?

Last year she went 4-4 and missed the championship round. Her career Scotties record is a similar story, 14-14.

If she is going to advance, she needs to go above the regular routine of beating teams ranked below her but losing to teams ranked above her. And perhaps lean on the experience of Coach (Jim) Cotter?

This team, welcoming the experience of Sarah Koltum this season, has played a ton of games. They played 11 events this season. And they did make a tour final in January before winning the B.C. provincial championship.

There is some momentum on the brooms of the B.C. champions.

And if Brown is finally able to knock off those higher seeded teams to qualify for the next round, the question becomes, "Who will be her victim?"

12. #Labelleprovince - Team St-Georges (19, 11)

Sometimes riding a hot streak of positive results and momentum can be the difference between a 3-5/4-4 record and a 5-3 playoff qualifier record.

If so, Quebec's Laurie St-Georges should be considered a challenger in Thunder Bay.

After going undefeated to win the Quebec championship, and winning a tour event leading into the provincial championship, St-Georges will step onto the Scotties ice riding an 11-match winning streak.

Add in the experience factor of this being St-Georges' 5th straight Scotties, plus the team addition of Lisa Weagle, and Quebec may have a playoff team to cheer for.

St-Georges was part of the 4-4 TB at last year's Scotties, being eliminated due to their LSD numbers.

But remember back inside the #IceBubble when St-Georges reached the championship pool?

We know St-Georges is capable of beating anyone in the field. And she has a strong lineup in front of her.

A 4-4 or 5-3 record is well within reach...and that could mean another TB discussion.

Lets hope they have been practicing those LSD shots this past week.

A Happy Birthday shoutout to vice Jamie Sinclair, as she will celebrate her special day next Friday (Feb. 21).

13. #TeamAcadia - Team Adams (53, 13)

Another veteran returnee to the Scotties ice this year will be New Brunswick's Melissa Adams.

Adams will make her 4th Scotties appearance and will try to better her record last year (2-6).

The team has been fairly consistent this season, suffering only 5 losses all year. And while they do not have a tour title under the slider, they have played 2 tour finals.

They also stay close to home, competing at tour events in Atlantic Canada. And they did go undefeated in winning the New Brunswick championship.

Can Adams surprise a few teams and better her record from a year ago?

14. #PolarPower - Team Galusha (71, 14)

The Queen of the North returns!

Welcome back to Scotties ice Kerry Galusha. We didn't even have time to miss you...mostly because you haven't gone anywhere. And we love it!

After last year's Scotties in Calgary, where Galusha finished with a 3-5 record outside the playoffs, there was thought 2024 might be Galusha's final Scotties.

Her team was disbanding. Galusha was left without a team up north. And even she, at the time, wasn't sure what her next move would be.

Fast forward a year later and she will be making her 22nd Scotties appearance and what could be considered the most special appearance yet. She will be playing alongside her daughter, Sydney.

And she is rejoined by past teammates Megan Koehler and Shona Barbour.

Results aside, playing alongside family and friends may be the ultimate championship win for Galusha this year.

And we always know to never count out The Queen of the North.

The #PolarPower emotions will be high and the crowd will be on her side, as they always are. It will be even more special given the announcement earlier in the week of Galusha officially declaring the 2025 Scotties will be her last.

A career of 165 games played at the Scotties, collecting 54 wins overall. The resume will grow and the stats will increase for one more week.

On a personal blog note, it will be emotional to see Galusha leave the Scotties ice for the last time at the end of the event. She has been very supportive of the blog since the beginning, the entire Koe family has been to be hoenst.

And we have had numerous interviews over the year. I consider myself VERY lucky to have had the opportunity to chat curling with her and get to know her. Whenever our paths have crossed at a curling rink or arena, whether she is playing or watching, we always connect for a chat and some laughs.

One of my fav podcast episodes was chatting with Galusha post-COVID-19. In fact, the episode published exactly 4 years to the day of this blog post. We even started a conversation of the dreaded "R" word. If you want a bit of #HERstory, you can also find this podcast episode on your favourite podcast players under "TwineTime".

THANK YOU Kerry Galusha for being the positive role model the sport needs. A true leader for women and girls in sport. A true leader for aspiring athletes in the NWT and all three territories. And, results and records and resumes aside, for also being a great overall human being.

There is a reason she is a two-time winner of the Marj Mitchell Sportsmanship Award at the Scotties folks (2017, 2023).

We need more athletes like Kerry Galusha on our competitive fields of play!

15. #PurplePower - Team Scoffin (T150, 18)

Bayly Scoffin is back to represent the Yukon territory on Scotties ice. Scoffin is the two-time Yukon champion and will look to improve on her 1-7 record from a year ago.

Here is another team coming to Thunder Bay in their sophomore era (i.e. Skrlik, Inglis, DiCarlo, Sturmay).

Will it be Sophomore Success or Sophomore Slump?

Yukon has secured 1 RR win at the past two Scotties. Scoffin scored the W last year vs. New Brunswick (Team Adams).

Can Scoffin replicate and/or better the record from a year ago?

16. #TheIslanders - Team DiCarlo (86, 16)

Speaking of a returning team looking to improve in 2025, Team DiCarlo is ready to take centre ice.

Last year DiCarlo surprised a few people with the PEI championship win. The team would end up going 0-8 at the Scotties in Calgary.

Welcome to the Team DiCarlo Sophomore Era.

They successfully defended the ice at the PEI championship. And they will make their second straight Scotties appearance.

The butterfly's and unknowns and excitement of a year ago will be a bit different now. They know what to expect. They may be able to focus more on the games on the ice and silence some of the distractions off of it.

We have only seen them at a small handful of events this season but they did make the SF at a tour event and do have an overall positive season record of 10-4.

A playoff spot might be out of reach but picking up your first Scotties win (or two) could be in the cards.

17. #TheRock - Team Godsland (84, 15)

With all the talk about Scotties experience, how about we celebrate Scotties rookies too?

Welcome to the chat Team Godsland!

Ok, lead Camille Burt will be making her 3rd straight Scotties appearance and vice Erin Porter will be making her 6th (but first since 2020) so it is not a complete rookie team but skip Brooke Godsland and Sarah McNeil Lamswood will make their debut.

Godsland should not be underestimated. They picked up a huge tour win earlier this season as the notable Rick Rowsell Classic.

And last season they reached the NL provincial final. Their rise to the title this season should not come as a shock.

Now we will see how they do on Scotties ice with the combination of experience and rookie emotions.

A playoff spot is probably out of reach but picking up a few wins and surprising a few teams along the way is well within the realm of possibility.

18. #TeamArctic - Team Weagle (136, 17)

Welcome back Nunavut!

After missing last year's Scotties in Calgary, the northern territory will return to Scotties ice in Thunder Bay.

Julia Weagle will skip the team, making her Scotties debut.

There will be experience on the team though as vice Sadie Pinksen will be making her 7th Scotties appearance. Pinksen's experience here should help Weagle in the house.

A playoff appearance? Ok, not likely. But this is about continuing to #growthesport, especially up north. Having Weagle skip the team out of the territory and getting Nunavut back on the national championship scene is a slide in the right direction.

And you can bet this team will have fan support in the crowd.

There is a Double Double Birthday shout out for the team too. Skipper Julia Weagle will celebrate her birthday before the event gets going (Feb. 10) and second Leigh Gustafson will celebrate her birthday on Sunday (Feb. 16).

 

#TwineTimePreview

Pool A

#W2W4

When do you want to play Team Canada?

Is that not the big question on the board?

To win the Scotties, you have to beat the champs. Whether you play them in the RR or the playoff bracket or the page playoff, you are likely going to draw them eventually.

So do you want to play Team Homan early or late?

For the 8 other teams in Pool A, they are hoping drawing them early is an advantage.

Maybe there will be a learning curve to the ice. Maybe The Homan Empire starts slow before building momentum.

Maybe you just know you have nothing to lose and everything to gain drawing them earlier in the competition.

Whatever sports psychology viewpoint you need to take, Pool A is riding with it right now.

But this pool is not just about The Empire. There is also great opportunity for the other teams here.

Three teams advance from the pool. Team Canada is an overwhelming #Fav, nobody will argue.

But who will be the other two teams surviving the pool and advancing?

Never count out Krista McCarville, plus she has home ice advantage.

Alberta champions Team Skrlik are the next highest ranked team in the pool so they should fancy their chances to advance as well.

Selena Sturmay shocked the system at the Scotties last year with an impressive Final Four run.

Corryn Brown and Melissa Adams are back, both with Scotties experience which could help navigate a very tight pool draw and looking to improve on missing the playoff round last year.

Jane DiCarlo will make her sophomore appearance after debuting last season and will look to collect her first Scotties win.

And what about the debut skips Nancy Martin and Julia Weagle? Could they make rookie statements?

Speaking of....

#TeamUpset: Saskatchewan

Could #TeamGreen be the surprise team of the pool?

Nancy Martin has been oh so close to making the Scotties as a skip in the past, coming up just short in provincial playoffs and finals. This year everything came together and the team won the Saskatchewan championship.

But don't assume Martin to be a Scotties rookie. A rookie skip, sure. But she has been here before, playing vice for Sherry Anderson in 2021. They ended up winning their RR pool with a 6-2 record before going 0-4 in the Championship Pool and finished 6th overall with a 6-6 record.

Martin's experience could be a huge advantage. Now we just have to see how she handles the pressure of the skip position on Scotties ice.

Watch out for second Kadriana Lott. This will be her Scotties debut but she is no national championship rookie either. She is the 2024 mixed doubles Canadian champ, teamed with husband Colton Lott. In fact, she is a 4-time medalist at the Canadian MD championship.

If she is on her game, it could make life easier for Martin.

The last time Saskatchewan advanced out of opening RR pool play? 2021.

And lets give a shout out to Julia Weagle, returning to the competitive curling scene after stepping away for a few years. She will skip the Nunavut team at her first Scotties.

What a shame she and sister Lisa (lead, Quebec) were not drawn into the same pool. We always love a good family curling story.

Projected Standings (Seed):

1. #TeamCanada (Power Rankings: 1)

2. #ABStrong (3)

3. #FearTheMoose (8)

4. #TeamGreen (10)

5. #PQ3 (Sturmay) (9)

6. #TeamPacific (11)

7. #TeamAcadia (13)

8. #TheIslanders (16)

9. #TeamArctic (18)

Pool B

#W2W4

A Manitoba sweep?

This pool is Manitoba vs. Everyone Else.

Einarson. Lawes. Cameron.

All 3 have a ton of Scotties experience. All 3 have been on Scotties podiums. All 3 are going to be VERY hard to beat.

But if any of the Manitoba teams falter, who will be next in line to take advantage?

We have seen what Christina Black can do at a Scotties. We also saw this team win the Tour Challenge Tier II and make a playoff push on the #GSOC ice.

Danielle Inglis was able to #DefendTheIce in Ontario and the team will look to feed off the successful debut last year, just missing the playoffs with a 3-5 record. Sophomore success or sophomore slump?

If you bet on curling, you know to watch yourself with Laurie St-Georges. St-Georges is equally capable of beating every team in this field but also losing to any team in this field. Her aggressive play can be an advantage and downfall. But, either way, always a team to watch out for. After missing the playoffs last year due to the TB procedure (remember no TB games), St-Georges will want to go at least one win better than 4-4 this year to be in the playoff hunt.

From experience to Scotties debut, welcome to the ice Brooke Godsland from Newfoundland and Labrador. Could there be some rookie luck on The Rock?

The Queens of the North are back with Kerry Galusha skipping Team NWT and Bayly Scoffin skipping Team Yukon. Galusha went 3-5 last year while Scoffin went 1-7.

Cameron, Galusha, Inglis and Scoffin were all paired in the same pool last year. Here is how they fared against one another:

Cameron - 2-1 (loss to Inglis)

Galusha - 2-1 (loss to Cameron)

Inglis - 2-1 (loss to Galusha)

Scoffin - 0-3

Last year we saw Pool A finish with 5 teams tied for the final playoff spot with 4-4 records.

This year's Pool B may just say "Hold my beer" with the qualification dramatics.

#TeamUpset: NWT

The Queen of the North, Kerry Galusha, is returning to Scotties ice once again.

Last year we saw the end to the dynamic foursome out of the north, with the team disbanding and players going their own way. Interestingly enough, former teammate Margot Flemming is also back on Scotties ice this year as second with Alberta champions Team Skrlik. And another former teammate, Sarah Koltun, will be representing B.C. with Team Brown.

A bit unfortunate to see both former teammates drawn into the other pool and not in the same pool as their past skip.

Galusha knew she would continue curling this season but wasn't quite sure the direction her new look team would take, being a combination of up and coming #NextGen youth and the experience of Galusha and Shona Barbour.

Fast forward a year later and Galusha will be making her 22nd Scotties appearance overall and will be joined on the ice by her 15-year old daughter Sydney at second.

It is going to be a very special family moment Saturday afternoon when Team Galusha steps on the ice for their opening game vs. Team Cameron and Kerry stands next to her daughter Sydney in her Scotties debut. Will their be some tears of joy and emotion? You bet. As there should be. It will be a special moment for the close mom-daughter combo.

Galusha will also bring #NextGen youth on the bench with Ella Skauge at the alternate.

Every team comes to the Scotties ready to compete and to win but one thinks this year's #PolarPower is a bit more than just collecting wins. This is about setting up NWT for the future, combining rookie appearances with the experienced Queen.

And when the last rock settles, it won't matter as much about how many wins and losses Team NWT collects this week. The memories of family curling together will also outlast the final standings.

But also remember, never count against Kerry Galusha! She has a history of being a giant killer. And with her daughter by her side, she could be even more dangerous.

Take note of the bench as well. Galusha is bringing a Canadian champion with her, Amber Holland.

Projected Standings:

1. #PQ1 (Power Rankings: 2)

2. #TeamBluenose (4)

3. #PQ2 (Lawes) (5)

4. #Labelleprovince (12)

5. #BuffaloHunt (7)

6. #CurlON (6)

7. #PolarPower (14)

8. #TheRock (17)

9. #PurplePower (15)

#TwineTimePredictions

Playoff Qualifiers: Canada, PQ1 (Einarson), Alberta, Nova Scotia, Northern Ontario, PQ2 (Lawes)

Page Playoff Qualifiers: Canada, PQ1 (Einarson), Alberta, Nova Scotia

#STOH2025 CHAMPIONSHIP: #TeamCanada (Team Homan) def. #TeamBluenose (Team Black)

#StayTuned

It will be interesting to see which pre-event rankings end up being close to the final standings.

Will it be the current CTRS? The Curling Canada pre-event? Or the TwineTime #PowerRankings?

Which do YOU agree with more? And what are YOUR predictions for the playoff qualifiers and champions?

And don't forget to join the OfficePools Scotties Pick'em pool: https://www.officepools.com/invite/pickem/m/HGPRP8FD

To those competing in Thunder Bay, the world is watching.

Good luck and good curling.

The ice is yours...