Qualification

3rd Annual Stoney Awards

It's a tradition like no others - the Stoney Awards! We're back to honour the best in the year in curling. As in the past, we have 10 categories - ranging from Departure of the Year to Team of the Year. Let us know who you would have presented a prestigious Stoney Award for 2023.

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European Championship Preview & Bad Beer Bet with Rocks Across the Pond

It's that time of year again where the top curling teams in Europe gather to determine the European champion, the teams heading to the world championship, and who will be promoted/relegated next year. It's also the time of year where we go head to head and pit our picks against those of our friends at Rocks Across the Pond. With Jonathan playing in the event this year, we had to do things a little differently so Ryan is flying solo as we preview both the men's and women's events. We go through all the teams in the A events, including some interesting stats that could have a significant impact on the week, before chatting about some of the B event teams that we expect to make a serious push towards promotion. Who do you like this week?

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Kelowna Controversy

We get together to talk about what has been an eventful week at the Pan Continental Curling Championship in Kelowna. We break down TSN's decision to move the games off teevee and exclusively to streaming, Brad Gushue offering some strong criticism for the World Curling Federation, and what this all says about the state of the event, now in its second year. Following that, we talk about the games being played, including both Canadian teams qualifying for the playoffs, the world qualifiers, and the great story being written by Jamaica on the women's B-side.

Check out the Belgium Women's and Men’s Challenger Events early next year!

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Madeleine Dupont Proves Scott Wrong! And What's the Value of Rankings?

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about a fun week so far at the European Championships. They discuss Madeleine Dupont's incredible run, the women's final, and the crowded middle of the women's field. They also chat about the men's side and how things look heading into the second semi final. They then look at the current CTRS, Ken Pom, and Twine Time rankings and debate about the value of ranking systems and whether they warrant so much attention.

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Men's Euros Preview & Bad Beer Bet with Rocks Across the Pond

In this crossover episode, Sean is joined by the Professor of Peel, Jonathan Havercroft, to preview the men's A & B fields for the 2022 European Curling Championship, which starts Saturday in Ostersund, Sweden. They go through the A division team by team and discuss how each team looks heading into the week before making their picks for who books their spot in the world championship and who gets relegated. They then chat about the B division, which teams stand out, and who may have the edge for promotion.

For a full preview of the women's field, be sure to check out Ryan and Scott's preview on Rocks Across the Pond.

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

More USA Curling Changes, Niklas Edin has Surgery, Pan Continental Takes Shape, & Fitting in with New Teammatesing

In this episode, Scott makes his triumphant return to the pod to chat with Sean about the USA Curling situation, including even more changes to the organization. They also talk about the on-going Pan Continental Curling Championship, including the poor attendance, the impact of China not participating, and the teevee coverage. They wrap up by talking about the best ways to incorporate new players into your team and how communication and expectations are key before Sean vents about an esoteric pet peeve.

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Play to Win the Game: Provincial Champions, Mixed Doubles Confusion, & More Wild Cards

This week, Sean and Scott go through all the news in the world curling. They start by talking about the results of the weekend's provincial championships (2:25) before going through the now completed Scotties field (20:36), with the exception of the somewhat confusing Ontario situation and why Team Homan won't be allowed to play if Rachel Homan is selected for the Olympics (24:40). They then move on to who Curling Canada should select as the mixed doubles team at the Olympics and whether the rankings should be the ultimate decided factor (27:00). They then finish the show by talking about the push to add more wild card teams to the Scotties and Brier and the pros and cons (36:56).

For more, be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Separating Fact from Fiction at the Canadian Mixed Doubles Olympic Curling Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott look ahead to the Candian Mixed Doubles Olympic Curling Trials, which kick off next week in Manitoba. They go through the 16 teams in the field and separate fact from fiction as the discuss what will be the difference in determining who is going to Beijing and who is going home.

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Queen Stays Queen: Recapping the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott look back at the week that was at the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials. They start by talking about the women's final, the missed opportunities in that game, and a couple technical issues spotted during the late ends. Then the discuss the men's final, the cause of the low score, and Brad Jacobs' final shot. They also chat about Team Jones and Team Gushue as Team Canada at the Olympics before finishing by recapping the results from the 2021 European Curling Championship.

For more, be sure to visit us GameofStonesPod.com

1 Key Stat for Each Team at the Pre-Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about this week's Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trial event in Liverpool, Nova Scotia and give 1 key stat for each of the 28 teams in the field. They talk about how teams can use the stats to their advantage, how they stack up with regards to Hammer Factor, and who is playing well going into the event. They wrap up by making their picks for who will earn berths to the Trials in Saskatoon and talk about where you can watch this week.

For more, please visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Previewing the Men's World Championship (a.k.a Olympic Qualifer)

In this episode, Sean and Scott preview the 2021 Men's World Curling Championship. They talk about all 14 teams heading to Calgary, the format, and the importance of this event to the 2022 Olympics. They also talk about the TV coverage, who they expect to punch their tickets to Beijing 2022, and what they're looking forward to this week.

Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com for all our episodes, plus a link to our Merch, with all proceeds going to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation and Food Banks Canada.

Biggest Brier Bubble Preview

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about all 18 teams heading the Brier Bubble in Edmonton. They discuss which pool is stronger, the depth of the field, and look ahead to what some of the TV games could be. They also go team by team to look at rosters, expectations, and make their picks for who will stand tall with the Tankard at the end of the week.

Olympic Curling Update: Who's in, Who's out, and How are Teams Qualifying

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about Curling Canada's new Olympic Trial qualification process and how teams will get into the Trials. They also talk about the cancellation of the Women's World Curling Championship and the impact on how country's will qualify for the Olympics. They wrap up by talking about the mixed doubles situation and debate whether Curling Canada will have to send a team to a last chance Olympic qualifier.

Worlds Qualification Cancellations

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about the World Curling Federation's cancellation of the 2020 European Championship, Pacific-Asia Curling Championship, and America's Challenge. They discuss the ramifications on the 2021 Brier and Scotties, what the  World Championships will look like, and how this could shape the Olympics.