The 2013 Season of Champions Curling Championships

[AragornElessar]

That's right. It's that time of the year and The Scotties had their Opening Day today w/some really impressive games during both Draws, but that team from Quebec really pushed Nova Scotia tonight. Really impressed w/them and I don't think anyone should make the mistake of underestimating them of their chances.

I also hope the one player for Quebec isn't too badly bruised or banged up after that hard fall she took while sweeping a rock during the last couple of ends of the game. She laughed it off, but it was a pretty hard fall and she could have easily hurt her one knee as it looked like it took the brunt of the impact. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does...Yikes!!!

So...Anyone already have a favourite picked? We'll be cheering for the Territories as usual, as well as our girls from Ontario.

And not cheering for the Princess from Manitoba.

So....Yeah, pretty much par for the course for this house come Scotties time.

Also tomorrow is Sandra Schmirler Day and it's a pretty great cause the Foundation supports too. I hope the Annual Telethon's a huge success for them.

And...Awwwwwaaaay we go!!!

[kylet3]

Nova Scotia played way too defensively, they needed that game terribly. Had Kim made either of her draws in 10 they likely would have stolen because their stones wouldn't have gone anywhere but Quebec got there first that last end got away from them. Their schedule now is Canada, Manitoba, BC so they could very well be 0-4 after their first four which of course is not what they wanted. I think they can beat Canada and BC but they're going to have to be at their very best. I'd love to see them in the playoffs!

[Dave of the North]

That was a huge mistake by Suzanne Birt in the first game against Man. Missed the takeout and gave up a steal of 2 instead of getting 3.

Hoping for NB as always...

[kylet3]

Ugh, was really hoping NS would beat the loudmouths on Team Canada, they had a chance but Mary-Anne's last shot just curled too much. Ugh, their poor schedule doesn't get any better either with BC tonight and MB tomorrow. As much as I adore BC I would like to see NS come through with a win tonight. Ugh, Jennifer Jones wasn't missing either, BC got hammered. Sasha and Kelly struggled with their draw weight.

Looks like this is Ontario and MB's event to lose.

[Skate Talker]

I have a love hate with Heather Nedohin. She is not full of herself and cocky on the plus side, but she is full of horse shoes on the minus side and it drives me nuts to see her get those game-breaking lucky shots when the other team is outcurling her team and just can't get a break.

Kelly Scott is sounding a bit more normal in voice tone and inflection this year so doesn't seem to grate on my nerves as before. She couldn't buy a good shot against Manitoba this morning though and will need to pick up her socks.

I watched last night's Nova Scotia v Quebec game and have never seen duller strategy or half shot making in my life. No excuse for the half shots at this level as they were not tricky shots by any stretch of the imagination for 95% of the game. Well okay, maybe some getting used to the ice excuses could be made but the style of play here was very bad for the reputation of the sport and everyone could have just skipped the first 8 3/4 ends without missing anything at all.

Since I didn't have any favourites in that game I sure would have liked to see a lot more intricate game to at least add some tension to the evening.

I like the Quebec skip's attitude and though even as a I write, Devereux, the NL skip is really having a bad game, I quite like her demeanor too. Also Crawford from NB looks calm and cool under pressure. It's actually a nice field this year.

It should be interesting to see how the new schedule affects the teams at the end of the week. There will only be 2 games per day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully it will allow teams to build up stamina instead of tiring them out early. It certainly should make the last part of the week more interesting as far as who is still in with a good chance at the playoffs.

Oh and I will be a dissenting voice here and declare that I am sticking with my home province team - go Jennifer go!

[AragornElessar]

Does anyone know why they were saying that it was impressive Her Highness was back so soon after having a new baby, which I knew, and a new knee. Now that I didn't hear about and we're all wondering...!?! Kyle, anybody?

I like the new sked, as it's not only easier on the teams, but the fans too. Back in 2001 when Sudbury hosted, I had to beg off the Morning draws as I just couldn't do it and the rest of the day too. This will make the entire week easier on everyone and I like it!!

[kylet3]

Jennifer's left knee which is often the case for curlers was royally effed up so she had to have reconstructive surgery to fix it. This was scheduled as far as I know before she even got pregnant with Brent Laing's child (while he was in a relationship and had a child with another woman to boot...)

Poor Mary-Anne Arsenault This is just clearly not their week. I think Colleen still has a little bit too much influence with the defensive strategy. I get why they're doing it, it won them 5 Scotties, but that was 9 years ago and the game has clearly changed. If they're to have any kind of chance, they need to put rocks in play and start executing.

Team Alberta... that's all I'll say about that.

Right now Ontario and Manitoba are looking like the two best teams bar none. Saskatchewan is doing quite well in their debut with Jill Shumay but she played a good final over Lawton and theyre not too bad. BC had a really bad game against MB, they had a good win over NS but they're going to need to up their game if they want to have a shot at the final again. We shall see by Wednesday I think what really is going to happen with who is going to be in the playoffs.

[clarie]

I'm a voluteer at the Scotties in media, so I can watch as many games there as I like . Seriously rooting for Ontario and feel they have the skills to win it all. I'll be working the media bench today so I may have to deliver interview requests to some of the curlers. My better half is a score keeper, sitting rinkside in a red baseball cap lol. It should be a great curling week. Already one can see the "cream rising to the top". Sask is a big surprise.

[kylet3]

Wow what a barnburner of a game between BC and Ontario. Kelly made a perfect draw in the extra and Rachel just followed her right down and tapped it out and easily made it for the win. That was worthy of a Scotties final.

Unfortunately BC 2-2 and NS 0-4 are starting to fall behind. Though I don't expect Saskatchewan to stay perfect for long, they haven't played the favorites yet. But they fought through against Alberta in a game that AB had the entire time and yet still managed to lose... Man, with Bernard and Nedohin not at AB Provincials this year, I'm hoping next year with them returning, we can get a rep that's worthy of representing us at the Scotties, Moore is one of the best sweepers in the country so having her skip is such a waste in my view.

The Olympic Trials are also starting I think to get a better idea, I think Rachel Homan and probably Chelsey Carey will get two spots, and possibly Sherry Middaugh with the last two spots to be determined at Pre-Trials this November, I think right now our best shot at Olympic Gold lies with Rachel Homan. She's fearless, young, can throw the up-weight easily but also proved that she can play the soft finesse game today. J. Jones has consistently proved at the world level that you never know what you're going to get with her as proved by her wildly inconsistent results at worlds.

That being said, there is still lot of event left this week and anything can happen. BC is starting to play better and I think will be in the playoffs at the end of the week. I don't think SK's momentum will hold.

[AragornElessar]

First off...Thanks kyle for the info about Her Highness and her knee. Wow about the info about Bret Laing though. Yikes!!

Second...Holy freakin Classic this afternoon!!! Kelly and Rachel really put on one heck of a show and then some and as you said kyle, it was only a Round Robin game too. But what a Round Robin game!!!

[clarie]

I was standing rinkside and it was a nailbiter. Rachel won tonight's game too against NB, but it was not one of her best games. PEI finally came thru with a win vs. Sask., and Jennifer and Heather both creamed their opposition.

[kylet3]

Bah! BC lost to Team Canada, but their three hardest games are out of the way and quite frankly if they don't win their next 5 then I'll be disappointed. They lost to the teams they might be expected to, but now they've got to get on a roll. Team Canada played their best game of the week. I have no doubts that Kelly Scott can beat Heather Nedohin, especially with Jeanna Schraeder back but they have got to start executing. It also doesn't help that their lead is sick now Ugh, hope it can stay away from the rest of the team.

Ontario and MB really I think are playing the best. I like how Homan has calmed down, she's still got the attitude, you can tell but she's at least being a bit more mature and not acting like a spoiled brat like she did in 2011. This team has all the shots in their arsenal. I would love to see them win it this year if BC can't.

I think it's going to be one helluva fight for that 4th playoff spot right now. BC, PEI, SK, QUE, NB, and even NS are all still in contention for that final spot. I think NS is probably out because they have to face Ontario yet (if only they'd beaten Quebec in their opener... le sigh), but as I said before, SK likely won't hold their momentum. I'm expecting BC to squeak through with the last spot, but right now that one is anyone's guess.

Glad to see though that NS rebounded with two wins today. Colleen curled 95% in the game against SK tonight, so good for her! If Kim Kelly can start executing a bit more, they might make it exciting towards the end. Maybe go 6-5, which isn't out of the realm of possiblity for a tiebreaker. If they beat Ontario, I'll shave my eyebrows and streak through West Edmonton Mall.

[Seerek]

Can't see anyone breaking through the Heather/Rachel/Jennifer stranglehold at the top, and it'll probably be Kelly for the 4th spot...7-4 might get a tie-breaker (maybe)

[Dave of the North]

So it will be CAN, MB, and ON tied at 10-1 at the end of the week, and somewhere from 3 to 6 teams tied at 6-5 . Can you say holy tiebreakers?

ETA: Go-oo-o NB Go-o-oo-o PEI

[clarie]

A "nailbiter" between Ont and NS last night, which was a surprise. Hope Ontario can get their numbers up again. They'll need to.

[Dave of the North]

NWT now tied with BC 5-5 after 5; hoping for NWT to win to bring BC back so that NB still has a chance for a tiebreaker. Of course NB has to beat Jennifer Jones...

[Skate Talker]

I have either been too nervous to watch the televised game, or not invested enough to pay attention - depending on who is playing. What a week and such a split between the top 2 teams and the others. Reminds me of the last time Stoughton won the Brier.

Ah found the VOD and watching it now.

[clarie]

Can Ont. beat Man.?............fingers x'd. I'd like to see some fresh faces as Team Canada.

[AragornElessar]

What a great game tonight's 1-2 Playoff was and also fantastic to see Her Highness run out of rocks finally this week. Here's hoping Rachel and the Team keeps it going into tomorrow night's Championship Final.

Go Team Canada Go in the Semi Final tomorrow morning!!!

Speaking of Team Canadas...

Cdn Curling Association ~ Canada Claims Gold Medal At Wheelchair Worlds

The Wheelchair Worlds are/were the very first major Curling event to take place and "christen" the new building. World Jr's will also be held there and is the Olympic Venue Test Event for Curling, but after reading the article and what the Skip of Team Canada said about the building and Sochi in general, it sounds like this venue is more than ready to Welcome The World.

Congratulations to Team Canada!!! WTG Guys!!!

[clarie]

Good for the Wheelchair curlers. They are truly skilled at what they do with no sweepers. And GOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Team Ontario today. That was a terrific game last night.