Well it certainly look like I’m in the minority on this. I do agree it is cool that every province and territory* is represented however some of them just do not belong on the ice with the elites of the game. Another idea I had was that they divide the two pools by ranking, the top 9 in one pool with 5 qualifying for the playoffs and the bottom 9 in another pool with one team qualifying for the playoffs. This would create much more parity throughout the week and still give every team a chance to win the Breir.
Overall Brier attendance is nothing what it use to be and not trending well. I know there are layers as to why, but the competition level has to be examined as one. The other biggie is that Curling Canada is staying away from large venues/ cities.
That's the women's hockey system. Two groups of five, all five in top group get in and three of the five from the bottom group get in.
They do that to ensure that Canada and the US at least play once but I'm not sure that helps develop the game. The bottom group teams play each other continuously for one shot at a big team in the quarters. In balanced group, over the years you get a few big games.
I don't disagree with you about qualifying and balance but in Canada that's just not possible. They tried that and a team of 4 is not flying across the country from remote areas for 2 games. That would cost $10,000 and time away from work. Teams in remote areas might quit. You might never get a Brad Gushue.
Btw, they're showing Yukon and Sask-Klieter this morning.
Yukon are 2-4 and can still make the playoffs! Although they would have to win twice and get some help. Scoffin has had a really good week. If they can beat SK-K they get NWT last.
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If I’m Gushue, I’d be back out there recruiting a true second. He’s in his final quadrennial (I’d guess) and needs to have the most complete team possible to compete for the spot in the Olympics.
Bottcher is a great shot maker but, against the top teams you just can’t have a weak sweeper in the front end. Gushue’s team is great and will continue to show very well all mid and solid teams but it’s a significant handicap against teams like Jacobs and Dunstone.
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^ Yes she is as she makes everything. A 20’ run back double, a back 4 tap back, draw the button, thin cross house double (with the game in the line), no other player is making these with the consistency she does. Homan is playing at 2021/2022 Brad Gushue level right now. Far beyond anything the women’s game has ever seen before.
Tirinzoni really struggled in the final and Fleury played great, that matchup at third was the difference in the game today.
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Crazy that Sweden-Scotland is a quarterfinal with the winner playing Canada. The other quarterfinal is China-Norway with the winner playing Switzerland.
The Chinese men, similar to the women two weeks ago, need at least a bronze medal to directly qualify for the Olympics.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Crazy that Sweden-Scotland is a quarterfinal with the winner playing Canada. The other quarterfinal is China-Norway with the winner playing Switzerland.
The Chinese men, similar to the women two weeks ago, need at least a bronze medal to directly qualify for the Olympics.
Lots of complaints and murmurs of the Chinese team cheating all week, pushing rocks after the hog line and intentionally burning rocks and denying it.
