S1E7 - Our First Very Special Guest

WEBVTT
00:00:02.080 --> 00:00:07.519
Extra Ends, a curling podcast with Chris, Norm, and sometimes Rob.
00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:11.679
Welcome back to another episode of Extra Ends.
00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:12.640
I can't believe this.
00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:15.599
This is episode seven already.
00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:21.839
I figured we would have either been banned or have given up, considering nobody had listened to us.
00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:28.399
But here we are in episode seven, and we've got a really special episode.
00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:34.479
We were hoping to have a really, really special episode last week, but we got a really, really special episode this week.
00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:37.359
As always, uh my name is Chris Rouget.
00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:41.840
I am a proud curler, curling coach, and member of the Royal Canadian Curling Club.
00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:45.759
And I am joined with my fellow co-hosts, uh Kevin McDonald.
00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:47.119
Hey, Norm here.
00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:48.640
And Rob Ainsley.
00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:49.520
Hey there.
00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:51.200
How's your guys' week been?
00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:53.200
Anything, anything new, exciting?
00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:58.079
You you get any sleep having to watch four draws a day at the Grand Slam of Curling?
00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:04.640
I uh I didn't really watch a lot, so I got plenty of sleep, but I'm sure you got a lot less than me being there in person.
00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:24.159
And I uh did not get very much sleep because not only did I watch a lot of the curling from the Grand Slam, I also uh helped out at a clinic this uh past weekend at the Royal Canadian Curling Club and went around the Greater Toronto area at a couple different clubs and watched some of the uh provincial qualifiers for the uh club play downs.
00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:28.719
A little bit different type of competition, but still one that's very important to those of us, the curling club.
00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:30.959
How was the how was the the club play downs?
00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:31.920
How was how was that looking?
00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:33.920
I always wanted to watch more of those games.
00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:35.439
It was it was excellent.
00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:46.000
Uh obviously, I went to a game yesterday at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, and uh there were four games on the ice, and I was trying to watch all four of them because I had friends at every single one of the games.
00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:48.159
So it was very interesting to try to do that.
00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:55.280
But but it was it was fantastic competition and uh something that uh I've really started to enjoy the last several years.
00:01:55.359 --> 00:02:19.520
It's uh my uh competitive days are behind me, but uh definitely enjoy watching it and enjoy uh the competition that is there because it is something that uh those of us that aren't trying to make the Briar or the Scotties uh or the Tankard or the provincials of of uh of any of these different provinces that that we uh surface, it's one that allows those of us uh more of the level down and and uh goal to uh achieve for.
00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:25.199
I think I I I think the club championship is something that actually isn't looked at enough.
00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:27.919
Everyone's drawn in by the Briar and the Scotties, etc.
00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:31.120
And like the yes, the amazing curling that happens there.
00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:34.080
But the clubs is I I'd love to see that.
00:02:34.240 --> 00:02:36.960
We talk a lot about what's being streamed and what isn't streamed.
00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:39.840
That is one I would love to see professionally streamed.
00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:41.680
Uh, I think there'll be a lot of interesting.
00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:42.960
Yeah, I totally agree with that.
00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:51.199
I know when it hits the nationals level, I'm pretty sure that curling Canada in some capacity will stream it, but I'm not necessarily sure the provincials and what's going on with that.
00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:56.560
Ontario's unique where we do mostly the fall qualifier for the event the Nationals is this year.
00:02:56.719 --> 00:03:02.240
Most other provinces do it kind of like during the season in the spring uh end of winter time frame.
00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:04.080
So it's always interesting when people have it.
00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:06.560
But nonetheless, it's definitely something that would be great to see stream.
00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:07.599
Oh, definitely.
00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:12.800
So, those of you who are new to our podcast, uh you're probably wondering why the heck are these guys doing this?
00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:15.280
Why are they just talking about curling?
00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:17.360
And uh that we have a very important purpose for this.
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:23.840
We are trying to draw attention and get excitement built for what we are calling curling week in Canada.
00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:36.400
The week of January 10th to January 17th, almost every province in Canada will be holding their provincial play downs to decide who their champions are for men's and women's who go to the Scotties and the Briar.
00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:49.120
This means that from the 10th to the 17th, and most particularly on January 17th, there will be more curling in Canada than there is in the rest of the world almost through the entire year combined.
00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:57.439
And so it's a really exciting time, and there are only 83 days left to go as of recording until Curling Week in Canada.
00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:58.960
So we're really excited for this.
00:03:59.039 --> 00:03:59.919
We're pumped for this.
00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:07.919
We're hoping that some of you listening are going to join us in celebrating and watching Curling Week in Canada and uh getting behind it all.
00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:11.199
Um, yeah, so onwards with the show.
00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:23.680
Uh, we had this past week the first slam of the season, the grand slam of curling, uh, held the co-op invitational in Victoria, British Columbia, beautiful BC.
00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:27.759
And uh it was it was a really good event.
00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:36.879
Um yours truly had the opportunity to be there in person, which I will say, oh, so much fun.
00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:38.959
So much fun to watch live curling.
00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:59.839
And uh my wife and I always have this debate what's better, the last weekend or the first the first part of the event, usually either the weekend or the start of the week, where you can see four games going, you know, you can see 16 or more teams a day playing, or the end of the event where you see the championship, the quarter, the quarterfinal, the semifinal, and the championship.
00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:04.560
And I'd always been, I like the last week because that's you know the consequential moments.
00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:18.160
But more and more I'm coming around to uh my wife's perspective on this, that when you get there when there's four games on the ice, and yes, a lot of people tell us it's really hard to watch four games at once, but but don't worry, you get used to it.
00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:23.920
Um, and you can you can track a lot of what's going on, and it's it is so much fun.
00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:35.839
You get to see teams that may not be on TV as much, you but you get to see matchups you don't usually see, but you also get to see preludes to the championship or even you know what we're going to see over the next quad.
00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:37.759
So I absolutely love this event.
00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:40.399
Did you guys uh get to catch any of it on TV?
00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:43.600
Uh I did, and I like that debate as well, Chris.
00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:54.720
It's it's one of the ones I've had frequently, like the ones that sell the most tickets at these events is obviously the final, the semifinals, the quarterfinals, the closing weekend at our national championships.
00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:56.720
Those ones are the ones that draw the biggest crowds.
00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:02.720
But I'm always uh I'm kind of always one along what your wife says that going to the early part of it is great.
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:14.560
And I think the biggest thing for me is even though it might not necessarily be as big a crowds, the energy of the city and the volunteers and everyone that had been building up for quite some time leading up to it is so noticeable then.
00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:23.199
By the end, there's almost like a little bit of like a oh god, it's been going all week, but like that it gets that spike of excitement from all kinds of other people coming in.
00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:27.759
So it evens out, but I I personally enjoy watching as much curling as possible.
00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:30.639
So watching multiple games at the same time is great.
00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:38.639
Um, I definitely I think I had two takes from uh listening and watching to the games this week uh from the slam.
00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:49.360
The first one was is I did subscribe uh to the uh rock channel uh that exists where you can watch any of the sheets that's not on sportsnet slash ESPN slash design.
00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:52.000
Um uh and and have that.
00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:54.079
There's no commentary per se on it.
00:06:54.160 --> 00:07:04.959
They do have an excellent thing with either uh Royals member uh uh Gareth uh Wheeler or uh Chelsea Carey, where they call it the full house, where they have L four sheets going and they kind of like comment on all of them.
00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:11.199
Um so I enjoyed that, and that was good to do that and watch that because I could pick and choose the games I wanted to watch too.
00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:12.480
So that's my first take on that.
00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:14.079
I enjoyed that part of it.
00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:21.040
Uh the second part that I really did enjoy is Sportsnet is now covering from Tuesday through to Saturday.
00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:29.680
In the past, they would come in like Thursday, and it's like felt like it was already over half over, and it's like we're near the end, and some teams are eliminated almost at that point in time.
00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:32.560
It always felt like they kind of came in and you're missing the plot.
00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:37.600
And so I was like line score watching before Rock Channel came along, and then Rock Channel, I really started to like that.
00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:46.160
So it was good that that SportsNet expanded their coverage, and then they have pretty much an all-new, other than Jennifer Jones, they have all new broadcasting teams, and they seem to stick with it.
00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:50.720
Where they had Darren DuPont and uh paired up with uh Joanne Courtney and Brad Gushu.
00:07:51.120 --> 00:08:04.399
That was an excellent group of people, and then we had uh John Cullen uh taking the step up from uh The Rock Channel and uh Married Couple Jen Jones and Brent Lang on the broadcast together, and that was obviously a great grouping as well.
00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:05.759
So it was excellent listening to that.
00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:09.279
All right, I'll stop talking about the off-the-ice stuff and the on the ice stuff.
00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:12.480
It was spectacular, the quality of curling that we saw on the ice.
00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:24.879
Like you could tell that many of the teams that had been really doing all of the spills and work and lead up to the event of all the things we'd been covering, you could tell that they were in like peak form and ready to go.
00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:32.320
Uh, there were some teams that obviously um didn't quite measure up to the level that they that we were expecting from them.
00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:34.240
Uh, team Holman being an example.
00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:37.840
When's the last time that Rachel Homan hasn't qualified for the playoffs?
00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:46.559
Rachel Holman, Rachel Holman lost more games in this event than she did in like the last two years or something, was the statistics.
00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:48.399
It's out of control, right?
00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:52.960
Like it's just it's not what you normally expect from a team of that high quality.
00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:54.240
So that's an example of a team.
00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:59.759
And I think the other one that was surprising was Team Mowit was another one that also did not qualify for the playoffs.
00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:07.360
That like those were the two teams like last season and the year before that were winning winning every single slam, and it wasn't even close in several cases.
00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:14.879
So seeing them uh take that approach and come in and and the other teams really stepping up and and following their example and playing to that level.
00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:22.960
I think that to me was the biggest thing that I noticed out of the slam itself, because obviously we haven't even mentioned the winners, but that that was my take from the event overall.
00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:27.600
I'm I'm actually uh we'll get to the winners in a second, but I'm actually with you on this.
00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:35.840
I uh I I think I'm coming down around the best curling calendar from a team perspective, is what would be like a bookend calendar.
00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:50.559
You high intensity it at the beginning to get into shape, and then you you you slow your tempo down a bit through the middle, and then you high-intensity it as you go into your provincials, your your nationals, your play downs, whatever, so that you get as much as you can.
00:09:50.879 --> 00:10:06.559
Because it was later on in the week less so, but at the beginning of the week, it was visible the teams that have already got a couple events under their belts versus the teams that were taking a lighter schedule, and this was their first or maybe their second event.
00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:08.720
Um, it was very clear.
00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:19.840
Now, uh Holman and Jacobs were both in the this was their first event, and and Team Jacobs, they came out of the gate on fire, and they just got better as the week went along.
00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:24.480
Like their their first game was a little bit shaky, but they were undefeated.
00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:29.519
And as their week little went along, they got better until they were eliminated in the semis.
00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:38.960
But uh even that, like seeing seeing them get eliminated in the semis, was like, oh, this is this is did they have the stamina to make it all the way through?
00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:44.879
It's a long grind, and there's a lot of games in multiple days, there's a lot of 7 p.m.
00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:46.639
games followed by an 8 a.m.
00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:48.480
game, this type of stuff.
00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:55.360
And I don't know about you, but one of the hardest things I do in my life is dragging myself out of bed for an 8 a.m.
00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:59.200
curling game, especially if I don't have to play in it.
00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:10.159
Uh waking up that was bright and early and trudging over to the rink at 8 in the morning, and of course the rink concessions are all closed, there's no coffee to be found.
00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:14.720
Oh, that was tough, but it was worth it for for the curling.
00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:17.519
So um, those are a couple of my takes.
00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:27.360
Before we get into just a quick rundown of the uh of the qualifiers and the scoreboards, uh Rob, did you have any takes on this uh week at the slams?
00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:38.320
No, I I didn't get to watch a lot, um, but definitely what you're saying there with like the two teams that hadn't played much this year just jumped in.
00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:41.440
Luckily for them, they were teams that had stuck together.
00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:46.399
So you are seeing some development from the teams that are formed this year.
00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:48.320
Um, I guess there's not many of them there.
00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:51.679
I think it was only Botcher and one or two others that had made changes.
00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.519
And they actually're one of the few that was able to rack up points quickly.
00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:56.320
Yeah, yeah.
00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:57.360
They did really well.
00:11:57.440 --> 00:12:01.279
And I mean, Botcher's been doing great uh all season so far with this new lineup.
00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:11.679
Um so yeah, I guess what I'm saying is there there is um that path of growth and then that path of familiarity that Jacobs had.
00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:16.399
And maybe being their first event, maybe they weren't in as good a shape.
00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.320
Maybe they just had a bad game.
00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:21.360
Um I'd hate to say a team like Jacobs is in not good shape.
00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:32.960
I mean they're all pretty jacked, but this is this is you need to understand when we say not good shape, it means the the the run back hit and roll, the roll was off by an inch where the rock stopped.
00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:34.320
Yeah, exactly.
00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:43.200
Like this is not you know our club curling, I'm out of shape, where you know I can't remember how to slide out of the hack for the first half of my first game.
00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:48.000
This isn't going to do Sales Toronto and be like, I'm too out of shape, guys.
00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:49.200
You don't have to be able to do that.
00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.879
Not that we know anybody like that, right?
00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.240
Probably all this.
00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.279
Yeah, no, not at all.
00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:53.679
No.
00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:58.480
But and and I think that was my last takeaway before we get into this.
00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:18.080
This is a game now where the level of precision at the slams has become so intense, especially because this season we watched so much curling leading up to it in Calgary and Okatokes and Edmonton, in Toronto, Oakville, uh, KW, uh Cornwall, all over the place.
00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:31.279
Uh the uh the precision uh shooting, like this isn't the the it like uh we hope for a hit and roll and get a decent roll where the rock's you know kind of buried behind another one.
00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:40.559
These are guys where they get a hit and roll, and if it's an inch out, well, there goes the end, it's over, right?
00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.399
They're gonna pick it out, and you know, we're now in a chasing situation.
00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:50.879
Uh I just it was phenomenal to watch, but that's the level we're at now.
00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:56.000
Curling is a precision sport, unlike anything I've ever seen.
00:13:56.320 --> 00:14:06.480
And it's been kind of been that way for the last few years, but I think it's the number of teams that have that skill set and that ability now, yeah, making those margins so much different now.
00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:10.559
Where it's like you could look at someone that you would think it's like, oh, that's terrible.
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:15.200
And it's like, I mean, they're kicking our ass at the club if they ever play this year, right?
00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.799
Like it's not even close.
00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:19.759
You're you're you're I think you nail in the head, Chris.
00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:20.960
Yeah, nail in the head there.
00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:23.039
Like the top four teams used to be able to do this.
00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:29.840
Now it's everyone at the slam is able to do this, and plus the teams that are knocking on the door to try to get into the slam, right?
00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:32.320
Like we're talking like a lot of teams are there, right?
00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:32.799
So yeah.
00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:33.440
Yeah.
00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.840
So uh it was a great event.
00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:40.320
It came down to uh uh a number of teams qualifying.
00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:48.080
The top eight of 16 teams on the men's side and women's side each qualified for a simple bracket play down.
00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:50.960
And um, we'll start on the women's side.
00:14:51.039 --> 00:15:00.799
Our quarterfinalists were Gim versus Hasselborg, two names we recognize, Einerson versus Ueno, another two names which we recognize.
00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:10.080
Uh Zeny Zeny Zeny Schwaller against uh Patz, and uh uh Rana versus Kang.
00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:16.879
And the the only new one here for me was Kang, who it was a bit of a surprise that they that they got in.
00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.720
They got in on a tiebreaker.
00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:24.240
Um, but it was it was great to see them there, and then and then they pushed through to the semis.
00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:30.000
So uh these were the eight teams, and as mentioned earlier, there was some notable names missing.
00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:33.840
Like we uh team Homan didn't make it in.
00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:47.039
Um uh the Fuchisawa didn't make it in, and there was a big, big push for hometown heroes Reese Hansen and McMillan to get in, and they didn't make it in either.
00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:58.879
So um it was uh very surprising the number of women's teams that didn't make it into the quarters, but uh it was still some great curling to watch.
00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:02.559
So the way it sort of played out, uh again, a bit of a surprise.
00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:05.279
Gim beat Hasselborg seven to six.
00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:12.559
Um Einerson beat Leno, uh Schwaller beat Patz, and then Kang beat Rana.
00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:27.840
So our and then in the in the semis, it was Einerson over Gim uh and Kang over Schwaller, which I was surprised to see Schwaller out here, but that's that that's sort of the way that goes.
00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:30.879
Then the final, I have to spend a minute talking about the women's final.
00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:34.159
This was one of the best curling games I've watched in a very long time.
00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:40.480
Carrie Enerson made a pick, uh an angle pick in six, I think it was, to get two.
00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:45.840
That sort of was the tipping point of the game, and it was lights out.
00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:48.240
Find the clips of this, it is worth a watch.
00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:53.360
Watch the whole game, subscribe, subscribe to uh Rock League or Rock Channel.
00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.919
Uh, it is worth looking at.
00:16:56.080 --> 00:17:00.240
Um, and the hometown crowd was very much behind Einerson in the room.
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:03.600
The place was probably about half full for this game.
00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:07.599
Um, and it was it was an absolute stunner.
00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:13.920
Do you guys have any thoughts on the uh finals or the play downs before I go over and look at the men's?
00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:18.319
I think that shot is the one that's getting replayed multiple times.
00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.440
Uh, I've seen it.
00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:28.160
I watched uh the curling show on uh CBC, the little post-game thing where they did the uh the haircut post-game as one of the pets that one of the teams did.
00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:36.880
But that shot was the one that was replayed, I think, at least three times on that cat broadcast because it was such an unbelievable shot, and it was so good.
00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:40.880
And of course, Devin Haru happened to be in the stand sitting next to Carrie Anderson's dad.
00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:44.000
So that was always the fun part from that perspective.
00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:45.759
But the uh that shot was great.
00:17:45.839 --> 00:18:06.000
And I know team uh Team Kong was the one that is not necessarily that well known uh to those of us because um we don't necessarily follow South Korean curling, but this is definitely a team that uh is up and coming, and and really it was um uh the vice off the uh team that uh had got a silver medal in the Olympics, moved over and joined a new team with some younger curlers.
00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:18.640
So it's kind of like the um other countries are now starting to do what they do in Canada, where you get the more experienced curlers and pair them up with some of the uh younger up-and-coming ones and and have that experience pairing with the the young team.
00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:22.640
And obviously it's paid off well because they played really, really well in that final.
00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:26.880
We're not uh we're not shaken by uh the stage or anything like that.
00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:30.079
That just they got out curled, unfortunately, and that happens in the situation.
00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:33.039
That was my take from the women's uh final.
00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:35.440
Yeah, it was what a what a show.
00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:41.920
On the men's side, we had once again uh a few surprising teams that didn't qualify.
00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:50.880
Um, if you if you put a gun to my head and said uh who qualifies for an event, team Hardy or Team Moat today, I would probably say Moat.
00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.960
And believe it or not, it was the opposite.
00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:55.839
Hardy qualified and Moat did not.
00:18:56.079 --> 00:19:00.160
Um they were they were sitting on the benches for the playoffs.
00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:07.920
Um also Carson from the United States, uh, or sorry, Casper from the United States, and the other Scottish team team, Carson didn't qualify.
00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:14.640
Uh bit of drama around uh these two teams, maybe or maybe not qualifying, which I'll get to in a second.
00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:20.160
But the also team Erickson and uh team Cuey didn't qualify.
00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:30.400
So our our qualifiers were were Jacobs, Ramsfeld, Hosley, Dunstone, uh, Yannick Schwaller, Hardy, Epping, and Botcher.
00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:42.319
And uh, you know, I was a little surprised, but what happened in the in the final round robin game, there it was between there was one of them between Botcher and Dunstone.
00:19:42.640 --> 00:20:01.119
And it after the Casper game had completed, uh, it had become clear that because of the way the points work, the way the points work at the slam this year is you get three points for a win, uh, two points for a uh uh uh if you win the shootout.
00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.000
Tie in a win.
00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:04.240
It's a win and an extra end, effectively.
00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.759
It's a draw to the pin for the win.
00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.920
So it's kind of like what you do in your club play.
00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:12.799
If you ever tie at some clubs, you just draw the pin for the win, but you don't get the full three points, you get two.
00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:13.680
You get two points.
00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.880
So they called it the shootout.
00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:18.559
So you win the shootout, you get two points, and if you lose the shootout, you get one point.
00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:21.279
And a loss in regulation, obviously, you get no points.
00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:40.400
But because of this point system, it worked out that Dunstone and uh Botcher were in a situation that uh they were both close in rankings, and either the loser would be out no matter what, and the winner would be in no matter what.
00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:51.359
But after the result and the other sheet had come in, it was seen that if they tied, they both could guarantee spots in the playoffs and prevent the need for tiebreakers.
00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.400
They would both get in.
00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:57.039
And so there's already some controversy on the internet uh about about that.
00:20:57.279 --> 00:21:05.599
So uh we have a very special guest on later, and I'm I'm planning on uh asking their opinion about this, so I'm very excited for that.
00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:12.880
Keep listening through uh our episode today, and you'll get to hear some hopefully some exciting opinions on that.
00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:15.759
But I looked at this and said the rules allow it.
00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:21.519
If the rules allow uh the tie to happen, then the tie happens and they're in.
00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:24.160
So if you don't like it, change the rules.
00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:28.160
And I suspect there will be some discussion about that in the coming weeks.
00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:31.839
You mentioned, Kevin, that the competition committees already said that they're going to meet on this.
00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:41.440
Yeah, that I've been reading some of the articles and following this, and this was one of the like like when you look at it and you go, okay, what are the most dramatic things from the weekend?
00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:47.519
Um, that I think was the one that came out of it as one of the most dramatic, other than the excellently played women's final.
00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:59.759
Um, and then the other one that was kind of like the biggest one going in was of course the uh recap of the boop gates scenario where they purposely, I don't know if it was purposeful or just the way it ended up, but Team Jake.
00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:07.440
Against Team Erickson on the Friday night game on the last draw and putting it on the on the broadcast, and it was bigger than the game.
00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:11.680
Primetime TV gets a the first ever rematch of the boob game.
00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.319
Yeah, that was a lot of fun.
00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:25.920
Which it turned out to be like for our audience and the one we watch at, it was a very low-key affair because literally going into the game Ericsson hadn't qualified, Jacobs had, and Jacobs dominated the game.
00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.279
So, like, okay, great, thanks.
00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:29.200
So yeah, what was the drama out of that?
00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:32.240
And these guys, I guarantee you have talked to each other, right?
00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.200
So nonetheless.
00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:36.400
Yeah, I was now I was standing there with my boop hoodie.
00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:49.039
Um, and you may be able to catch me in camera shot from time to time if you look at the reviews, but uh I I was there in my boop hoodie trying to drum up some some debate, but everyone was quite happy to curl on.
00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:55.200
And I did keep my eye, not just in this game, but in throughout the entire week, I kept my eye on the hog line.
00:22:55.279 --> 00:23:00.960
And I will say there is across the board much more adherence to the hog line rules.
00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:03.279
Much more adherence to the hog line rules in a lot of people.
00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.000
Imagine that.
00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.480
Yeah.
00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:08.000
So who who ended up winning this the spiel then, Chris?
00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:11.200
So the winner overall was Yannick Schwaller.
00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:18.079
Uh, I guess there's really no surprise here because this is his fourth win of the year already that we've been tracking.
00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:21.920
Uh I believe, uh, over Ramsfeld.
00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:29.519
Um the Schwaller beat Jacobs in the semis, which uh was a very good game.
00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:33.920
And Ramsfeld beat Hosley in the in the semis as well to come to the final.
00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:38.160
Unfortunately, it was handshakes after six uh for this game.
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.920
Yeah, it was a kind of uneventful final.
00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:47.279
It was it was uh Schwaller took uh ended up taking four in the third end, I believe.
00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:52.720
Uh yeah, in the third end, and that just took the deflate at the game.
00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:55.200
He was up five nothing after three.
00:23:55.359 --> 00:24:12.160
Uh, and Ramsfeld, he started with the Ramsfeld started with the hammer, Schwaller stole one, uh, Ramsfeld blanked the second, Schwaller stole four, up five-nothing, Ramseld's then forced to one and four, and so the game just slowly grinded down.
00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:16.240
And like Ramsfeld is a top curler, it just wasn't his day.
00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:23.119
They missed a few shots, and I I don't think Team Schwaller has missed anything since July.
00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:27.519
Um yeah, they're they're now the number one team in the world, and it showed.
00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:32.559
So yeah, I think that that's kind of like we it's almost the they might be occupying that.
00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:40.400
Retorn as had that run and um for a few slams in a row, Moet had the run for a few slams in a row, it may be their time now.
00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:45.920
So I think overall though, Chris, it was a very good slam, and I think you thoroughly enjoyed yourself, right?
00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:49.200
Oh, it was so much fun for anyone who hasn't been to a slam.
00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:54.160
Uh, there's for those of you in Southern Ontario, there's one in Kingston this year, plan to go.
00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:56.720
If you're uh near Thunder Bay, plan to go.
00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.960
If you're near Sydney, Nova Scotia, plan to go.
00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:02.640
Going to a slam even for a couple days is a great event.
00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.000
I highly recommend it.
00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.880
It's a lot of fun.
00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:07.759
You can dress up in costumes, cheer for your favorite teams.
00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:19.680
There's always a patch, or sorry, they call it an A Pre curl, a pre curl um that you can go to, meet some new curlers from around the country, meet some of the pros who'll do events and and go as well.
00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.440
Highly recommend it.
00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:29.680
Um, so before we get to reviewing our predictions on this event, is there any you guys have any other final thoughts on the co-op invitational?
00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.200
I already said a lot.
00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.680
I'm good.
00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:33.359
No, yeah, we've said a lot on this.
00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.079
All right.
00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:37.039
Uh Rob, what were uh what were our predictions from last week?
00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:38.000
How'd we do?
00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.119
Oh boy.
00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:41.680
Um, where do I find these?
00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:44.880
I know Rob was the only one who picked a winner.
00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.160
I think.
00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:50.640
Yeah, I picked Einerson to win the women's, and I was right.
00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.599
So that's always good to report on.
00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.480
There you go, Chris.
00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:54.960
Thanks a lot.
00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.759
We're now moving on.
00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.680
We wrote this down.
00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:04.160
I also picked Moet to win, but I didn't notice he already had two losses in the bank when I picked them, so that wasn't smart.
00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:06.079
Yeah, lesson learned for Rob, but good.
00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:09.759
Yeah, I picked I picked Yannick Schwoller for the men.
00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:11.039
Oh, look at oh wow.
00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:12.720
Obviously, then I didn't pick anybody.
00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:16.640
I picked two teams that made the playoffs qualified for the playoffs.
00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.680
So Hardy made the playoffs.
00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.319
You picked one team that qualified for the playoffs.
00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.680
Oh, Hardy didn't qualify?
00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:21.920
Okay.
00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.039
No, Hardy did qualify.
00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.079
Hasselberg didn't.
00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.119
Yeah, she did.
00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:25.920
Oh, yes, she did.
00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.240
Sorry.
00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.200
Yes, she was in the quarters.
00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.920
How dare you?
00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.480
Oh, sorry.
00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.799
So moving on from the slam.
00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.839
Um, we missed it.
00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.400
Well, that's it.
00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:34.160
There was no other events last week, right, guys?
00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:36.079
Yeah, almost, Chris.
00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.759
We we missed an event.
00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:40.079
Um what did I miss an event?
00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.440
Yeah, in Stroud.
00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:44.799
Oh Stroud, yes, Stroud.
00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:46.799
Beautiful Stroud near Annisville, Ontario.
00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.519
Yes, absolutely.
00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:50.079
An event that Rob Ainsley has competed in in the past.
00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:52.240
So what happened in Stroud, Rob?
00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:56.640
Well, um, Sandy McEwen won the men's and Sherry Madow won the women's.
00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:58.640
Oh, I don't know much other than that.
00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.440
That's awesome.
00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:03.599
Did we have any did we have any did we have any friends in that event?
00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.519
We had some friends in that, yes.
00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:08.960
Um team uh Thompson Brown was playing in that.
00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.960
Ah, team Thompson Brown.
00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.519
All right.
00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:15.440
Well, we I I apologize for missing uh the Stroud event.
00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:19.599
We will put it on our calendar for next year and make sure that it is not missed.
00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:29.680
Um, particularly on the Ontario circuit, it's worth points, and those are becoming more and more critical as we go through the Ontario system and the Ontario play downs.
00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:35.119
And in the future, when you miss an event, we'll do our due diligence to remind you the next week.
00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.119
I appreciate it.
00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.960
I appreciate that very, very much.
00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:40.799
You guys stay on top of me.
00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:42.640
Uh, all right.
00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:51.519
This episode of Extra Ends a Curling Podcast is not sponsored by Rudy Victoria.
00:27:51.759 --> 00:28:00.319
Rudy is an exploration of identity, food, and home restaurants in Victoria that serves Tapas style Monday to Friday from 3 p.m.
00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.759
till close every week.
00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:12.240
We are not at all sponsored by this delicious tapest style restaurant that if you're in Victoria, we highly recommend you check out Rudy at 710 Pandora Avenue.
00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:15.680
That's a lot of information for them to not be a sponsor, right?
00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:23.359
Uh, ladies and gentlemen, we are so very excited to have our first ever guest on Extra Ends.
00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:27.359
And we don't have technical difficulties this week, so they're actually here.
00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:33.200
Woo! Yay! Yay! Ladies and gentlemen, it's a very special day today here at Extra Ends.
00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:36.799
We have our first ever very special guest.
00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:41.200
From time to time, we will be bringing in very special guests to Extra Ends.
00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:49.440
And uh, we're always so privileged to have friends, friends of the pod, people we know, and sometimes people that we kidnap for 20 minutes and make them talk to us.
00:28:49.680 --> 00:29:03.440
But earlier today, we spent some time having a great interview with Briar Champion, five-time Grand Slam champion, and has appeared in 10 Briars, Brendan Botcher.
00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:08.240
And uh, we're gonna play this interview for you now and uh enjoy it.
00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:14.559
Well, here we are again, and hopefully we have no technical gremlins in the system.
00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:23.839
We have uh hired dogs to hunt them all down and chase them out of the wires, and we are here once again with uh Brendan Botcher.
00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:31.599
Uh, ladies and gentlemen, uh we are very, very excited to present Brendan as the very first guest on Extra Ends.
00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:42.240
And uh he's here with us today coming off a uh quarterfinal performance at the Grand Slam in Victoria, and uh he's given us some time today.
00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.680
How are you doing today, Brendan?
00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.119
Yeah, I'm doing great.
00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:53.279
Um, it was nice to have you know four or five days from the the first time we taped this to think back through a few answers, and I'm looking forward to the questions here.
00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:58.720
Well, thankfully, we don't have any copy of the recording, so we can't compare notes.
00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:06.000
Um but uh what like we always want to try and get to know our guests as as we talk to people.
00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:10.240
This podcast is we we work very hard not to take ourselves seriously here.
00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:19.200
So we're gonna start with the really hard-hitting questions, uh, which was uh I have two, but I'll start with my favorite, but the most important one.
00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:22.319
What was the best meal you had in Victoria?
00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.240
Ooh.
00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:27.119
Um I'm I'm excited at this answer.
00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.000
Go ahead.
00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:32.079
So in Victoria, we found a great tapas place called Rudy.
00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:42.160
Um I it was a walk from the arena, so it wasn't too too hard for us to get to, but um great food, kind of small plates sharing amongst the table.
00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:46.880
They had a whole variety of different things, so you got to try a few different cuisines through your meal.
00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:51.759
Um, and yeah, it was just a cool little bar atmosphere, and and we had some great food.
00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:55.920
I think that was our uh the supper we had the night at when we qualified.
00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.680
Amazing.
00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:02.000
It's going on my list for my next trip to next trip to Victoria.
00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.880
Um, all right.
00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:05.920
What is um keeping in the same vein?
00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:08.960
What's uh we know that you're a golfer in the summer.
00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:12.559
Um what's the best golf course you've ever played in Alberta?
00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:17.680
It'd probably be bold to call me a golfer, but I do participate in golf.
00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:21.839
Um and when I do, my favorite course in Alberta is definitely the Bamp Springs.
00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:23.839
Um it's just incredible.
00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:28.240
The the atmosphere being in the mountains, the course itself is in pristine shape.
00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:34.559
Um, I happen to know the head pro down there who's been quite involved in curling um over the years.
00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:38.960
Um, and it's just all around a great time, and I think one of Alberta's best courses.
00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.720
All right.
00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:46.880
So um we'll get to we'll get to the Grand Slam and this past week in a little in a little bit.
00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:55.279
But uh I think I think Norm, uh, you had some questions that you that are sort of uh more about the season as a whole you wanted to get into.
00:31:55.680 --> 00:32:00.160
Yeah, they're a little bit more journalistic and less less fun than the golf course.
00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.559
I actually golfed in Alberta.
00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:06.160
I've golfed in many provinces and in the US, but not had the opportunity to go out west.
00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:09.200
So definitely interested in trying Vamp Springs, Brendan.
00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:10.480
Thank you for the recommendation.
00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:20.799
Um, so for this year, uh on a new team, um, can you just talk me through forming the team with the uh the Horgan brothers and and Jeff Walker, your former teammate?
00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:30.480
Can you just walk me through how that team formed other than uh meeting each other and jumping in a circle that was on the on your TikTok or Instagram reel this week?
00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:32.079
I don't think it was quite that.
00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:34.799
Uh the more serious version of that, if you don't mind.
00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.319
Yeah, fair enough.
00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:41.039
Um, yeah, so I I actually thought we were in quite a good position last year.
00:32:41.200 --> 00:33:14.319
And Brad, um, Brad did Jeff, uh, Mark, and I some favors in that he was pretty um sure of himself that that was going to be his last season, and he was ready to put that out into the world before the season started, because he didn't want to get asked a whole bunch of questions as we were going, um, which was great for him, I think, to kind of live that last year, um, knowing that it was his last year on tour, but it also freed up Jeff and I um and Mark to have some conversations as the season was going on, which um I think was great.
00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:21.519
So that was an opportunity that not a lot of the athletes would have had because you know, no one was really talking about team changes going into the trials.
00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:30.559
And then even once the trials were done, you know, most of the players were looking to talk about and talk to are likely a part of the Briar field in some capacity.
00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:38.400
So um everyone's kind of tied up for quite a bit of the season, and then all of a sudden it's free agency uh frenzy.
00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:40.720
Um, and we got to dodge a little bit of that.
00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:54.799
So, you know, we got to go through the fall and start to have some conversations and certainly once the trials were done, really, you know, shortlist the people that we were excited to play with that we thought, you know, had the right mix of experience and drive and passion.
00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:59.599
And um, I think we found and put together just a just an awesome team.
00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:11.920
So to have um myself and Jeff from Team Gushu, um, certainly Jeff more so than me, but a couple guys with some good experience that have been to some big games, some big moments kind of felt that.
00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:26.559
Um, paired with a couple of great young guys who, you know, have been having a pile of success, but maybe a step or two just shy of you know some of those big, big moments, um, but who are willing to put you know all the work in to be to be great.
00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:28.480
And I think that's just such a good mix.
00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:32.079
And I think we're set up here for the quad, you know, really quite well.
00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:37.679
And we've certainly been working hard, and I've been, you know, proud of how we've gotten off to the start of the season here.
00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:39.679
So that that's great.
00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:47.199
And I I really think like having that infusion of the the younger people on the team kind of adds a little bit of more excitement to the team.
00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:53.280
Because I know when when Tanner and Jake joined uh Team Epping, that definitely helped them and they they kind of came forward.
00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:58.800
Have you have you felt that type of excitement to help uh really help motivate you going forward?
00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:00.079
Absolutely.
00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:03.760
Um, I can say I feel it, and I certainly see it in Jeff too.
00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:07.840
It's uh kind of an injection of that energy and that excitement.
00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:13.280
And I've played on a lot of different teams, and and you need that passion and that drive.
00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:24.719
And I think you do this year in, year out over a couple of decades, and that spark sometimes isn't always quite as quick and quite as on demand as you want it to be.
00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:29.280
But you bring in a couple of young guys who are hungry to go win.
00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:32.400
Um, and it's amazing what that does to everyone on the team.
00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:39.760
So I felt it um in practices, even, you know, we're we're having some of the best practices I think I've had in in years.
00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:44.400
And it's just been a lot of fun out on the ice, and I think we're excited to do it together.
00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:45.280
Excellent.
00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:47.119
Um, you mentioned the practices.
00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:55.599
I know that uh from knowing him a little bit, I know that uh Tanner went out and joined you guys for a solid chunk of the later part of the summer.
00:35:55.760 --> 00:36:01.119
So just talk us through a little bit about like what you did to practice, what you did to even form the team.
00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:11.599
Because I think some of the things like it's not just throwing rocks sometimes, it's about team bonding and communication and a number of intangibles like that that are actually tangible when it comes to being on the ice.
00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:17.199
So, what were some of the things that you did uh to help practice and get that connection built?
00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:25.599
You know, I think it shows a lot of the commitment level that Tanner and Jake had to um they came out for three weeks in in August.
00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:27.440
So not a not a small amount of time.
00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:34.719
They spent the better part of the month out here with us, really practicing every day, if not you know, twice a day, many of those days.
00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:48.079
Um, spending the time on the ice, trying to kind of align our technical philosophy of how we want to go about throwing the curling rock and kind of working through some of the systems of line calling and sweeping and strategy and all the details there.
00:36:48.159 --> 00:37:03.440
But I think equally important spending that off-ice time so that we can work on the team dynamic and work on some of the softer communication type things and have really good debriefs and meetings and just kind of build the foundations of the communication that we're gonna need on the team.
00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:08.000
So I think that time was really, really well spent and it went by quite fast.
00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:12.559
I think that's the most I've curled in August, probably ever in my career.
00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:18.400
Um, and then Jake certainly keeping the commitment, you know, he moved out here.
00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:21.119
So even in between events, he's right, yeah.
00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:23.280
Yeah, he's coming back to Edmonton.
00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:39.440
We're spending every day on the ice together, and I think that's huge for me to have my third, you know, local so that we can spend that time and really get to know each other, even you know, one step deeper than uh, you know, everyone else on the team because that relationship is so important.
00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:53.920
This is maybe um a bit of the curling nerd in me here, but um, do you have any sort of like keywords or phrases that you find are unique to you and your team that other teams don't use for simple things like make it curl or hold it straight?
00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:57.599
I wouldn't say really unique words.
00:37:57.760 --> 00:38:00.880
I think how we talk about technical.
00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:06.159
I I think once you get into the really the weeds technically, every team has certain phrases.
00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:14.079
And even you you put out a laser line on a sheet, and teams use that laser line a little bit differently, even though it's a yeah, it's a straight line.
00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:15.199
That's the whole point.
00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:32.000
But your perception of where you are relative to that line and how much release you want to have and how much through it on the release, like north-south versus how much east-west, like of a set you want to have, all that combines into kind of your way of throwing the curling rock.
00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:38.320
And I think that's something the really top teams um commit that you know they've got a team way of doing it.
00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:41.039
And that's what really propels them to that next level.
00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:52.000
Where I think a a lot of teams, and it's kind of been the case in Canada in the past, that you just get four really good curlers out there and you know, put the reps in, put the time in, and you do a lot of winning.
00:38:52.159 --> 00:38:53.679
And that's just not the case anymore.
00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:54.159
Yeah.
00:38:54.239 --> 00:39:02.639
So do you find um part of building good success with a team is to actually conform everyone's releases to be as identical as possible to what you'd like to see?
00:39:02.960 --> 00:39:07.360
Yeah, I think it's um that's really a non-negotiable at this point in the sport.
00:39:07.519 --> 00:39:34.719
I think if you want to be consistently a top eight team, a top five team in the world, you just have to because um even if you're sacrificing a small amount on individually throwing, you gain that back in multiples in sweeping and communication and rock management and line calling and ice reading and rock matching and all the other little pieces where you get a little bit back here and a little bit back there.
00:39:34.880 --> 00:39:50.079
And I think what's most important for me is the skip is I need to have a read that I can trust is similar to the read that I'm gonna give so that we know how my rocks need to travel up the sheet to make as big of a percentage of my shots as possible.
00:39:50.239 --> 00:39:50.719
Yeah, absolutely.
00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:56.480
And having my guys kind of conform to a certain philosophy at least of how we want to do that, I think is huge.
00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:57.119
Great.
00:39:57.280 --> 00:40:02.400
So and I've heard like teams like Homan have uh they talk about having like three different releases.
00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:04.960
And uh how far along are you guys with that?
00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:14.239
Are you at the point of just having one that works right now, or are you talking about having one that works on a certain type of ice and another one for a different type of ice like that has more curl?
00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:17.280
Well, I would say we're a new, new-ish team.
00:40:17.360 --> 00:40:20.159
You know, we're five events in now, so certainly not new, new.
00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:24.079
We have a way that we're standardized trying to throw the curling rock.
00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:34.159
But even in the five events we've played, we've been on ice that's probably curled a little bit too much for our standard, and we've been on ice that's curled probably a little too little for our standard.
00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:45.039
So whether we're adjusting uh the rotation, whether we're adjusting the amount of set, whether we're adjusting even the weights we're calling on a lot of our hits, there's different ways to kind of get there.
00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:48.800
Um, but we've been talking about the same kind of thing.
00:40:48.960 --> 00:40:59.039
Once the event's on, once you know what the ice is going to give you, you need to communicate as a team and figure out what release is gonna give you the best range of playable options.
00:40:59.199 --> 00:41:02.320
You don't want to be chasing one side of the fairway the whole event.
00:41:02.400 --> 00:41:08.239
Um, you want to be kind of up the middle, and then you've got a lot of manage with your management and sweeping and communication.
00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:08.880
Great, yeah.
00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:15.119
And this is a big thing that I I try and talk to a lot with club curlers because they always ask for like how can I fix my release?
00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:16.159
What's a good release?
00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:27.920
And we can teach them what a good release is for club curling, but we also let them know that pros often switch between releases based on their conditions, and they have to be, they have to have that ability to dial in on that release they want for that game.
00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:28.719
Absolutely.
00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:34.559
And even the ice conditions and the rocks themselves have changed substantially in the last quad, two quads.
00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:39.920
Um, it wasn't that long ago that we were talking about rotation, just as an example.
00:41:40.159 --> 00:41:45.039
And if you had three, three and a half rotations, that was deemed good.
00:41:45.440 --> 00:41:49.519
And then somewhere we got to, you know, three rotations between the hog lines.
00:41:49.599 --> 00:41:54.559
So we just changed the goalposts a little bit, which actually equates to four and a half, five rotations.
00:41:54.880 --> 00:42:04.639
Um, and now we'll play on some frosty slam conditions, and you'll see people draw the forefoot at the end of a game with well over 10 rotations in some cases.
00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:12.480
So it it's kind of exponentially gotten a lot more as the rocks have gotten sharper and the ice has gotten more aggressive.
00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:18.719
And it's great because it allows us to make all the fancy shots, all the super precise shots.
00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:20.880
Um, but that comes with a bit of a trade-off.
00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:23.679
We're certainly throwing the rock a lot differently than we were in the past.
00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:28.639
If I ever had to do 10 rotations, I'm afraid I'd corkscrew that rock into the next sheet.
00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:33.119
You would accidentally do 210 rotations, but yeah.
00:42:33.360 --> 00:42:38.559
So so someone at our curling club tried uh like a 200 rotation shot and put it on on the YouTube.
00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:41.280
Stop giving him press, Chris.
00:42:41.599 --> 00:42:42.639
It doesn't need anymore.
00:42:42.880 --> 00:42:44.239
It doesn't need any more.
00:42:44.559 --> 00:42:47.519
No, I uh I think I think this is all fascinating.
00:42:47.679 --> 00:42:52.639
It's leading to a like total evolution of the game, which is amazing.
00:42:52.719 --> 00:43:07.280
And I think that that takes us to this this past week, uh, and what we saw, which was probably one of the most competitive slams, considering that we're still relatively early in the season that I I've ever seen.
00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:14.000
Uh, what what was uh sort of your top top line memories out of this this past week at the slams in Victoria?
00:43:14.559 --> 00:43:16.559
You know, I thought we battled great.
00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:25.440
Um, it was our first slam as a team, and although we had played 25-ish games in a club setting, um, arena ice is different.
00:43:25.519 --> 00:43:33.920
And being in a slam with fans and on you know, that different ice and sharper rocks and different types of shots we're calling, that's all a little bit different.
00:43:34.079 --> 00:43:43.679
And I think not um to disregard the rules we're playing at the slams are also quite a bit different than the standard rules of curling we play at a lot of these club events.
00:43:43.840 --> 00:43:59.039
So, even you know, talking about our strategy and what shots are we gonna call and what ends do we wanna take one as opposed to blanking or push extra hard for two because you just the scoreboard is a little bit different when you're trying to get different outcomes.
00:43:59.440 --> 00:44:05.039
Um So I I, you know, last year we played these rules as well, but I wasn't in the house skipping.
00:44:05.199 --> 00:44:12.239
And maybe I didn't fully appreciate how different the strategy was to I'll call it traditional rules of curling.
00:44:12.480 --> 00:44:17.679
Um and this week I certainly noticed that there are a handful of differences and a handful of pretty significant differences.
00:44:18.159 --> 00:44:28.800
There was uh one of the majors uh major differences was we saw a lot of teams choosing to uh to not take the hammer uh in the last end.
00:44:29.119 --> 00:44:44.559
Uh I believe that was, I think if I'm recalling this correctly, I saw a number of teams almost intentionally decide to take one instead to get the point to tie and then fight for the win and the steal or or something like that, as a because of the elimination of the extra end and the draw to the button.
00:44:44.719 --> 00:44:49.039
I don't know if it's more advantageous or less advantageous to have a draw to the button.
00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:51.760
I guess it depends on how confident you are in your draw that day.
00:44:52.000 --> 00:44:53.840
Yeah, I think it's very game dependent.
00:44:53.920 --> 00:45:00.159
I mean, there's some games where you throw the same draw to the button four, five, six times in a game and you know you're gonna be real close.
00:45:00.239 --> 00:45:08.239
And then there's some games where the last time you threw a draw to the button was in pregame practice two hours and 15 minutes ago, and it's a complete crapshoot.
00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:10.719
So I it's definitely a skill.
00:45:10.800 --> 00:45:15.440
Um, so I'm fine with it being a skill-based, you know, how you win or lose the game.
00:45:15.760 --> 00:45:16.639
All good with that.
00:45:16.800 --> 00:45:25.599
I certainly think it's good for TV to have that, it's an easier window for them to fit a TV schedule into taking the extra end out, in all honesty.
00:45:25.840 --> 00:45:37.440
But I just want to acknowledge it does change the game a lot, um, knowing that you're either pushing hard for a full three-point win or accepting maybe a marginal outcome.
00:45:37.519 --> 00:45:48.480
You know, you could be controlling the whole game, would have had hammer in the extra end, comes down to a draw, all of a sudden you only walk away with one point in a game that you like, could have controlled, you know, throughout the majority of.
00:45:48.639 --> 00:45:49.679
That's a different feeling.
00:45:49.760 --> 00:45:54.480
Because usually in a traditional game, uh, you control the game through the whole way.
00:45:54.639 --> 00:45:58.960
At the very end, maybe you know, someone gets two or three, you go to an extra end.
00:45:59.039 --> 00:46:03.599
That's still a 90% win probability for the plus for the team with the hammer.
00:46:03.679 --> 00:46:07.519
Um, and this draws a lot more of a 50-50 coin toss at the end.
00:46:08.239 --> 00:46:17.679
Speaking of the slams having a slightly different format, um, how would you feel about having Skins make a comeback into one of the slams events?
00:46:18.079 --> 00:46:19.360
Skins is great.
00:46:19.440 --> 00:46:20.320
Um, I love it.
00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:31.119
It's great for TV actually, because it kind of in itself creates all that aggressive play that I think they're trying to recreate with the rules they've got now.
00:46:31.360 --> 00:46:39.599
Um and I remember there was there was the Elite 10 back in the day, and I'm probably dating myself here a little bit, but I'll call it a decade ago roughly.
00:46:41.199 --> 00:46:45.599
It was pre-pandemic for sure, and the pandemic was six years ago, so yeah, about that, I think, right?
00:46:45.840 --> 00:46:50.320
And I believe the last Elite 10, at least that I played in, was in Victoria.
00:46:50.480 --> 00:46:53.039
But that's a that's a complete aside.
00:46:53.199 --> 00:46:55.280
Um, and that was a skins event.
00:46:55.440 --> 00:46:56.559
Um, and it was great.
00:46:56.719 --> 00:47:01.840
It was nice for us, I think, as players too, to go out and play something different, like just a different format.
00:47:02.159 --> 00:47:11.440
Um, if I go back like a generation before mine, even they had a number of skins games a year, and that was their opportunity to really push the boundaries and be aggressive, and it was great TV.
00:47:11.599 --> 00:47:12.480
Yeah, it's a lot of fun.
00:47:12.800 --> 00:47:18.000
Yeah, uh it's a lot of fun, and it allows you to go hard without that risk of putting the game on the line.
00:47:18.159 --> 00:47:18.400
Yeah.
00:47:18.480 --> 00:47:24.880
So if if we start a petition to get uh maybe one or two of the slams that have run skins format, we can get you to sign that paper, huh?
00:47:25.119 --> 00:47:25.920
Oh, absolutely.
00:47:26.320 --> 00:47:27.199
You heard it here first.
00:47:27.519 --> 00:47:29.440
Heard it here first on extra ends.
00:47:29.840 --> 00:47:30.320
All right.
00:47:30.400 --> 00:47:32.880
Uh Norm, you have any other any other questions?
00:47:33.119 --> 00:47:41.440
Yeah, I I think one that was just on my list here was is uh the last few years you you kind of stepped away from the skip position and and played second.
00:47:41.599 --> 00:47:43.519
Now you're returning to the skip position.
00:47:43.679 --> 00:47:52.880
What was it about uh just the way that that last quad ended that uh felt like it was the right time to come back to skip and what went into your decision to do that?
00:47:53.199 --> 00:47:57.280
You know, I think I was in a bit of a unique position for a number of reasons.
00:47:57.440 --> 00:48:01.760
Um I've I've been a, at least to that moment, I had been a lifetime skip.
00:48:01.840 --> 00:48:06.639
And there's not a lot of top players that have really only played the one position.
00:48:07.039 --> 00:48:20.559
Um and it was great for me to learn and get perspective, not only perspective playing another position, but perspective of playing with, you know, some of the best curlers of all time, the goat of Canadian curling, you know.
00:48:20.880 --> 00:48:26.480
Um, so just through osmosis, uh, what I learned through that process was incredibly valuable.
00:48:26.719 --> 00:48:36.000
And as the quad was wrapping up and I was trying to decide what I wanted to go do next, I just felt A, I felt like I missed certain parts of the skip roll.
00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:45.760
Um B, I felt like after a couple years away, that I was excited, ready to come back and be the leader on that next team.
00:48:46.000 --> 00:48:54.480
Um, and something that was important to me too, you know, on every team competitively that I've ever played on, I've always been the youngest guy on the team.
00:48:54.639 --> 00:48:58.960
Um, and I saw an opportunity here to transition a little bit.
00:48:59.039 --> 00:49:03.280
You know, I'm not the old guy on the team, but I'm also not the young guy on the team anymore.
00:49:03.519 --> 00:49:11.840
And I can share a little bit of that experience and I can be a leader, and uh, you know, the guys have just been great, allowing me to step back into that role.
00:49:12.079 --> 00:49:13.199
That's amazing.
00:49:13.360 --> 00:49:19.199
Okay, I have um I have one more serious question, and then I have some more fun ones because I I just like the fun questions.
00:49:19.519 --> 00:49:20.559
You would like the fun questions.
00:49:20.800 --> 00:49:21.840
I love the fun questions.
00:49:22.079 --> 00:49:40.800
The uh there's a there there was a lot of discussion, and now there's some discussion online about uh your last game at the slams this past week against Dunstone, and the fact that a lot of people were saying that uh you and Dunstone ended up tying to ensure you would both qualify.
00:49:40.880 --> 00:49:47.440
Now there's been debate about this online and said it's it happened years ago as well in different point systems and and whatnot.
00:49:47.599 --> 00:49:55.280
And I wanted to know if you'd heard about that and sort of what you thought about the idea of that you two were both angling for the tie.
00:49:57.039 --> 00:50:03.280
Um, well, I think I can point blank say that that's uh that's a conspiracy theory at best.
00:50:03.360 --> 00:50:08.239
Um, there certainly was no handshake agreement, there was no locker room arrangement.
00:50:08.400 --> 00:50:16.800
Um, and to be honest, anyone that watched the first seven ends of that game would have probably said the two of us were going at each other reasonably hard.
00:50:17.039 --> 00:50:25.360
Um, it's also worthwhile acknowledging, you know, my my job as the skip of our team is to qualify us for the playoffs.
00:50:25.679 --> 00:50:30.480
So keeping in mind I knew I needed to get one point out of that game.
00:50:30.639 --> 00:50:38.079
Um, I wasn't willing to stick my neck too far out on the edge of the line either, because I wanted to make sure we we qualified.
00:50:38.159 --> 00:50:39.360
I thought we had a great week.
00:50:39.440 --> 00:50:44.400
And, you know, in the eighth end, there um we were planning on going hard for two.
00:50:44.480 --> 00:50:47.039
Um, and Jeff's first rock picked.
00:50:47.280 --> 00:50:49.760
So, you know, he makes the hit and roll to the wing.
00:50:49.840 --> 00:50:53.280
We were already planning to throw a delayed corner guard and go hard for two.
00:50:53.519 --> 00:50:58.719
Um, once Jeff's rock picked and they put a second rock in the house, I kind of had a choice.
00:50:58.880 --> 00:51:05.679
We could throw that delayed corner and be stuck with a run back double to see daylight for the rest of the end, or we could make sure we scored a point.
00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:09.519
And in that moment, I I chose to protect the team and score a point.
00:51:09.679 --> 00:51:19.440
But I don't think you can ever you certainly can't fault the athletes for trying to trying to qualify themselves for the playoffs in in a system that was given to them.
00:51:19.519 --> 00:51:21.199
Um yeah, these are the rules, right?
00:51:21.280 --> 00:51:23.519
You play you play within the rules you're given.
00:51:24.239 --> 00:51:24.960
Absolutely.
00:51:25.039 --> 00:51:27.119
Um, and it was a it was a good game of curling.
00:51:27.199 --> 00:51:32.480
I'm glad we qualified for the playoffs, and uh, I really don't care what happened around us.
00:51:33.119 --> 00:51:34.159
That's awesome.
00:51:34.400 --> 00:51:37.920
Um, all right, so I I I have a couple more fun questions.
00:51:38.079 --> 00:51:41.920
Oh, sorry, one other serious question because I have to ask every guest we have this.
00:51:42.079 --> 00:51:52.719
Um, because I'm uh and unfortunately, the poor people sitting next to me on the plane back from Victoria had to deal with this as I as I talked to them about it quite a lot.
00:51:53.039 --> 00:52:01.599
Um, what do you think as as somebody down on the ice that we need to do to bring more people to curling?
00:52:01.760 --> 00:52:10.639
I I see the only way of this sport growing and becoming bigger and more successful is getting a bigger audience because that's where the sponsorship comes from, that's where the money comes from.
00:52:10.800 --> 00:52:12.960
And I want to get a bigger audience across the board.
00:52:13.039 --> 00:52:15.280
What do we need to do to grow that audience?
00:52:16.239 --> 00:52:22.480
Um well, I think what we need to accomplish is we need to get a better in-venue experience.
00:52:22.639 --> 00:52:32.000
Um, I think curling is still one of the few sports that a lot of folks will say is better entertainment to watch on television.
00:52:32.719 --> 00:52:54.880
So I think it's finding that mix of keeping the traditional curling fan wanting to come out and watch it live, and also encouraging and trying to pull the younger demographic, you know, hockey baseball fan to, you know, spend a handful of dollars and go watch a curling game live.
00:52:55.039 --> 00:52:56.800
I think there's some middle ground there.
00:52:57.039 --> 00:53:02.719
And I think that um it could be a lot more fun of an atmosphere.
00:53:02.960 --> 00:53:11.440
We could accomplish a very similar thing without completely, you know, turning away the traditional curling audience or changing it too much.
00:53:11.840 --> 00:53:15.679
Um now the the hard part is obviously how you make that happen.
00:53:15.760 --> 00:53:19.679
And I'm not a marketing fellow, so I'll leave that with the with the experts.
00:53:19.840 --> 00:53:23.760
I'm just trying to, you know, make it as entertaining as I can from out on the ice as possible.
00:53:24.159 --> 00:53:25.920
Well, we appreciate the diagnosis.
00:53:26.000 --> 00:53:30.639
Uh we'll let the we'll let the other professionals deal with the with the actual cure.
00:53:30.719 --> 00:53:36.960
Um Chris, were those people you talked to on the plane curlers, or were they not curlers and they had no idea what you were talking about?
00:53:37.280 --> 00:53:37.840
Uh you know what?
00:53:37.920 --> 00:53:38.480
I didn't ask.
00:53:38.559 --> 00:53:39.360
I just started talking.
00:53:39.760 --> 00:53:41.039
You just started talking.
00:53:41.360 --> 00:53:42.239
Okay, excellent.
00:53:42.400 --> 00:53:45.039
We apologize to them on our behalf.
00:53:46.159 --> 00:53:55.920
So uh my last question uh is you you've you've traveled around the world a lot for this great game and been able to participate in uh hundreds, if not thousands, of different events.
00:53:56.079 --> 00:54:07.519
Uh, what is in your time, curling, what has been your favorite tour spiel, like a series competitive event, favorite tour spiel, and favorite fun bond spiel?
00:54:08.719 --> 00:54:15.119
So, my favorite tour spiel, um, I think I'd go back to Kurozawa uh in Japan.
00:54:15.280 --> 00:54:25.280
They they host an invitational event every year, and our team um a quad and a half ago was lucky enough to be invited to go play.
00:54:25.440 --> 00:54:27.840
Um, and it's just a great, it's a great event.
00:54:27.920 --> 00:54:39.119
I mean, curling in Japan is pretty cool and special in itself, but what the organizing committee and what that event does to make it special and big for the teams that get to go is is just outstanding.
00:54:39.199 --> 00:54:45.840
It's a lot of fun, it's a great environment, it's a bit of a trip, you know, a bonding trip for a team to go experience that together.
00:54:46.000 --> 00:54:49.360
Um, and just yeah, really cool to be a part of.
00:54:49.519 --> 00:54:52.559
So that would probably be my number one tour event.
00:54:52.719 --> 00:54:58.719
Um, and you know, to date, I haven't been a big fun spiel curler.
00:54:58.880 --> 00:55:08.639
I did play uh a summer spiel down in Hollywood at the Hollywood Curling Club um a handful of years ago now, I'll say three or four years ago, which was a blast.
00:55:08.719 --> 00:55:12.639
I would definitely recommend going down there for anyone that um hasn't been.
00:55:12.719 --> 00:55:14.639
It's a great community, great people.
00:55:14.880 --> 00:55:21.760
Um, I have been angling, as I think I've shared with a few of you, to you know, possibly participate in another fun spiel here this year.
00:55:21.920 --> 00:55:24.159
So what what what fun spiel are you interested in?
00:55:24.559 --> 00:55:25.280
What spiel would that be?
00:55:25.360 --> 00:55:26.079
Yes, we're very interested.
00:55:26.400 --> 00:55:34.800
Well, should should there be an opportunity and should I get an invite, I would love to support the Curl for Kids event in uh in Oakville this spring.
00:55:35.039 --> 00:55:40.960
Um, I've been tentatively carving my plan and my schedule calendar around those dates.
00:55:41.119 --> 00:55:44.159
Um, but now I gotta wait for my golden ticket in the mail.
00:55:44.480 --> 00:55:44.800
Absolutely.
00:55:45.280 --> 00:55:53.920
Well, well, listen, I'm sure the uh executive producer Kevin McDonald of X-Trents Podcast can make some some phone calls there.
00:55:54.320 --> 00:55:57.440
And I can I have no arrange that invite.
00:55:57.599 --> 00:56:10.400
I I will say though, Brendan, honestly, uh there's part of me though that says, you know what, if you can't make it because you're at Worlds, we'll defer to the next year or the next year or the next year, whenever you're available.
00:56:10.559 --> 00:56:14.639
Uh, because I do know that there is a conflict with men's worlds for that event.
00:56:14.800 --> 00:56:17.599
So uh there's part of me that hopes you can't make it.
00:56:17.920 --> 00:56:21.360
I I appreciate that flexibility and that uh confidence.
00:56:21.679 --> 00:56:24.800
It sounds like either way, you're keeping Easter weekend free.
00:56:25.119 --> 00:56:26.480
As I should, really.
00:56:27.519 --> 00:56:28.239
Amazing.
00:56:28.400 --> 00:56:28.960
All right, guys.
00:56:29.119 --> 00:56:32.880
Do you have any last comments or questions uh for Brendan?
00:56:33.199 --> 00:56:34.320
Uh nothing from me.
00:56:34.400 --> 00:56:36.079
It's been excellent talking with you, Brendan.
00:56:36.239 --> 00:56:42.480
Really appreciate you taking the time to join us and answer the fun and not fun questions here with us.
00:56:42.559 --> 00:56:43.440
It's fantastic.
00:56:43.599 --> 00:56:44.639
Oh, I did have one.
00:56:44.719 --> 00:56:48.400
How is it like listening to extra ends of curly podcasts?
00:56:49.039 --> 00:56:53.679
So I wasn't sure if it was gonna be funny, corny, entertaining.
00:56:53.840 --> 00:56:57.440
And you know, I think it's a mix of all the above and it's great.
00:56:57.679 --> 00:57:02.000
Um, I I I had a blast listening, and I look, I think you guys are doing a great job.
00:57:02.079 --> 00:57:06.159
Um, and I hope this you know continues to blow up and continues to be a thing.
00:57:06.239 --> 00:57:08.960
And I think curling needs more of this in general.
00:57:09.199 --> 00:57:11.039
So, you know, I wish you guys all the best.
00:57:11.119 --> 00:57:13.679
And if I can help support in any way, I will.
00:57:14.320 --> 00:57:15.119
Thank you so much.
00:57:15.440 --> 00:57:19.440
Brendan thanks for being on the show, and uh good luck with the rest of the season.
00:57:20.079 --> 00:57:20.639
Sounds good.
00:57:20.800 --> 00:57:21.360
Thank you all.
00:57:22.639 --> 00:57:25.920
Once again, I want to thank Brendan for all of his time he's given us.
00:57:26.000 --> 00:57:31.840
And we already have additional very special guests lined up for future episodes.
00:57:32.000 --> 00:57:34.800
So keep your ears pinned to our podcast.
00:57:34.960 --> 00:57:47.039
Make sure to like and subscribe because you're gonna hear some of the very special guests we have on this podcast in the coming weeks in the 86 days or 83 days until Curling Week in Canada.
00:57:47.280 --> 00:57:48.800
That's so many days, Chris.
00:57:49.119 --> 00:57:51.119
What did you guys think of Brendan?
00:57:51.599 --> 00:57:53.519
I thought it was an exceptional interview.
00:57:53.760 --> 00:58:00.400
I thought it was excellent timing that we got him like right after the slam uh to get his uh feeling and vibes.
00:58:00.559 --> 00:58:10.000
And then one of those dramatic news stories about that uh tie uh that you talked about and getting his take on that was something I thought was spectacular to hear that.
00:58:10.079 --> 00:58:14.800
And I don't know if we're gonna break news with that or not, but uh I think it was excellent to hear his viewpoint on it.
00:58:15.039 --> 00:58:22.559
Yeah, I I I I I honestly if I'm sitting in the skips in the skip circles in the skips house, I'd be doing the same thing.
00:58:22.719 --> 00:58:23.920
How do I get into the playoffs?
00:58:24.159 --> 00:58:26.400
What is because we do it in a curling shot, right?
00:58:26.480 --> 00:58:29.519
We look at the rings and we say, how do we minimize the risk?
00:58:29.679 --> 00:58:31.039
How do we eliminate the threat?
00:58:31.199 --> 00:58:34.000
How do we maximize potential while eliminating the risk?
00:58:34.079 --> 00:58:36.000
That's what skipping and curling is.
00:58:36.320 --> 00:58:43.519
And I think uh you do that job, you do that whether it's a single shot, a single end, a single game, or a tournament.
00:58:43.679 --> 00:58:47.119
You go, how do I get as far as possible and be as successful as I can?
00:58:47.440 --> 00:58:48.559
Hockey does it all the time.
00:58:48.719 --> 00:58:53.840
You see teams that want to just get to the overtime to each get a point and move on.
00:58:54.320 --> 00:59:01.840
And you see both teams in the last five minutes of the game really wind down, and it's just part of the if you got a system where never agreed to, it just kind of happens.
00:59:02.000 --> 00:59:02.880
Yeah, it just kind of happens.
00:59:03.199 --> 00:59:12.159
If you got a system where there's points for uh a tie, and then you play an extra thing for the tiebreaker, um, you're always gonna have the potential for something to happen like that.
00:59:12.320 --> 00:59:17.039
Yeah, I think it's it it's part of the game, it's part of the game and it's part of the strategy.
00:59:17.199 --> 00:59:24.000
And if you don't want to be a team that's on the bubble, either on the good side or the bad side of that bubble, win more games.
00:59:24.400 --> 00:59:25.039
Do better.
00:59:25.199 --> 00:59:28.000
Yeah, like Jake Jacobs went four and oh.
00:59:28.400 --> 00:59:28.880
Guess what?
00:59:28.960 --> 00:59:30.639
They didn't have to worry about the bubble.
00:59:31.519 --> 00:59:35.360
This week we are skipping Coach's corner because all I'm gonna say is do better.
00:59:35.519 --> 00:59:36.159
Do better.
00:59:36.239 --> 00:59:36.719
Yes.
00:59:36.960 --> 00:59:39.039
You heard Coach's Corner in this segment.
00:59:39.119 --> 00:59:39.599
There you go.
00:59:40.000 --> 00:59:40.639
Do better.
00:59:40.880 --> 00:59:43.599
All right, so we have uh the pre-game roundup.
00:59:43.760 --> 00:59:45.440
What's coming up this week, Kevin?
00:59:45.679 --> 00:59:48.400
Uh, there seems to be really only one major event this coming week.
00:59:48.800 --> 00:59:54.800
Of course, is the Henderson Metal Fall Classic presented by Coyote Tractors of Ontario to be held at in Sault Ste.
00:59:54.960 --> 00:59:55.920
Marie, Ontario.
00:59:56.000 --> 01:00:05.920
Uh, I know this is a big event that a lot of people really feel is one of the top events that's the non-Slam event, uh, simply because of the amount of prize money for it.
01:00:06.159 --> 01:00:08.079
So uh that will be streamed.
01:00:08.159 --> 01:00:11.760
We'll uh be looking forward to several of the games there because it is the only event on.
01:00:11.840 --> 01:00:15.280
So we're looking forward to catching some of that this coming weekend.
01:00:15.679 --> 01:00:16.880
Yeah, it's gonna be great.
01:00:16.960 --> 01:00:19.199
Uh, it looks like am I reading this correctly?
01:00:19.360 --> 01:00:25.760
It's gonna have Brad Jacobs, Jordan McDonald, Jaden King, Matt Dunstone, Tyler Tardy.
01:00:26.400 --> 01:00:28.400
Oh, and Joel Returnez, too.
01:00:28.559 --> 01:00:32.719
Yep, and we of course have John Epping and we have our two favorite Royals teams.
01:00:32.880 --> 01:00:34.639
Uh, Thompson Brown is not in that.
01:00:34.719 --> 01:00:38.320
There are definitely your favorite, but uh Team Champ and Team Young are in this as well.
01:00:38.400 --> 01:00:40.400
So Royals representation as always.
01:00:40.639 --> 01:00:41.760
This is gonna be a great event.
01:00:41.920 --> 01:00:44.639
Let's make sure to find some streaming time for that this week.
01:00:44.719 --> 01:00:45.840
Yeah, yeah.
01:00:46.639 --> 01:00:48.000
All right, ladies and gentlemen.
01:00:48.400 --> 01:00:50.800
Are you picking someone to win, Chris?
01:00:51.119 --> 01:00:52.159
Oh, picking someone to win.
01:00:55.199 --> 01:00:56.159
Oh, uh I can't.
01:00:56.320 --> 01:00:58.159
All right, since you two are trying to decide, I'm gonna pick.
01:00:58.239 --> 01:01:02.320
I'm gonna pick Olympic gold medalist Brad Jacobs uh on this one.
01:01:02.400 --> 01:01:08.239
And believe it or not, if I'm reading this correctly, there will be a super spare that will be on that team, which is of course E.J.
01:01:08.400 --> 01:01:09.280
Harndon.
01:01:09.360 --> 01:01:11.039
So I'm definitely going for that team.
01:01:11.119 --> 01:01:14.800
A little recap of the old school lineup that he had back in the days.
01:01:15.039 --> 01:01:17.920
So Ben Hebert seems to be sitting out this one.
01:01:18.719 --> 01:01:23.599
Listen, uh, our our friend Alex Champ, if he beats Scott Howard, he's then gonna face Brad Jacobs.
01:01:23.760 --> 01:01:25.679
You know, Alex could knock Brad out.
01:01:26.480 --> 01:01:30.800
I am the team I'm probably going to pick is you know what?
01:01:30.880 --> 01:01:33.199
I'm putting my money on Jordan McDonald.
01:01:33.760 --> 01:01:34.239
You're right.
01:01:34.320 --> 01:01:36.000
You're riding the McDonald train, aren't you?
01:01:36.320 --> 01:01:38.400
You're trying to get him in a slam, you're trying to get him in the water.
01:01:38.480 --> 01:01:40.079
I want to see him in the wild card spot.
01:01:40.639 --> 01:01:42.480
Yeah, I want to see him in the wild card spot.
01:01:42.639 --> 01:01:45.119
I think, and also I think he's hungry.
01:01:45.199 --> 01:01:47.519
He has had a little break, he got a week off.
01:01:47.840 --> 01:01:50.880
So I think it's it's time.
01:01:51.039 --> 01:02:00.800
He he he he has he has John Epping in his bracket, and if he gets through that, he has Dunstone and Jaden King and John Schuster also in his bracket.
01:02:01.039 --> 01:02:04.880
And I'm gonna go with uh Dunstone in this one.
01:02:06.639 --> 01:02:11.840
I think he's had a slow start this season, but it's gonna come together eventually, and I think this weekend's the time.
01:02:12.320 --> 01:02:12.800
I agree.
01:02:12.960 --> 01:02:13.280
All right.
01:02:15.519 --> 01:02:17.840
All right, friends, listeners, thank you very much.
01:02:18.000 --> 01:02:22.239
Please don't forget to uh like and subscribe extra ends podcast.
01:02:22.320 --> 01:02:26.400
Uh we just love getting those little bells dinging off every time somebody subscribes.
01:02:26.480 --> 01:02:40.480
Uh, and as a reminder, complaints and requests for shout-outs, especially those of you from High Park, can be filed at the bar at the Royal Canadian Curling Club with the appropriate fee of one drink for every one of the hosts.
01:02:41.199 --> 01:02:45.360
With that, guys, uh, do you have any final thoughts on our week?
01:02:45.679 --> 01:02:46.960
I think it was an excellent week.
01:02:47.119 --> 01:02:52.960
I think we had an excellent uh guest, a special guest, as you mentioned, and really looking forward to more curling coming up.
01:02:53.199 --> 01:02:53.599
All right.
01:02:53.679 --> 01:02:56.880
With that, thank you very much for listening to Extra Hends, a curling podcast.
01:02:57.119 --> 01:03:01.440
May your ice be fast and curly in the shed and cold and ready at the bar.