Yes, it's been a while since I've put finger to keyboard. My new project, the
Curling Legends Podcast, has been taking up most of my non-family, non-work time this curling season. I've been hoping to get out a few articles but frankly haven't even watched much of the Grand Slam this season (though it's all sitting on my PVR). That Edin squad looked tough to beat early in the season and the Casey Scheidegger rink provided a rare "underdog" story by winning their first Slam in their first appearance, after qualifying in a previous event. A reminder that maybe we need more access to the Slams. I've always felt some type of play-in process (like "Monday qualifiers" in the PGA Tour) would be great for the sport. Not certain a single Tier 2 event during an early Slam is the best solution, but more avenues for young developing teams to gain entries to these big showcase events would be fantastic.
Speaking of Tier 2 teams. The Glenn Howard rink found themselves in the minor league portion of this seasons Tour Challenge, but despite their form this season and the age of their veteran skip, after the dust cleared at last week's Ontario Tankard, they were on top yet again. I've had a few Legends mention to me that the old time players like Ken Watson used to come out for games with their crests on their sweaters. Helped to remind their competitors who they were playing. Got me thinking that if Glenn Howard comes out with all of his Purple Hearts (17) on his jacket, the weight would make it difficult for him to stand erect.
Unfortunately, Howard's path to the Brier was paved by the apparent collapse of Team Epping. I say apparent, because without watching, I can't say for sure. I was unable to watch these games, due to some strange licensing contract that forced those of us from out of town to pay for streaming services. I'm not against paying but I was unsure whether you were required to watch live only or if a recorded copy of the game would be available to me afterwards. Actually, being from Winnipeg I'm also notoriously frugal and $15 per game seemed excessive (though maybe it was $15 for the event, it didn't really explain). Here's hoping Sportsnet provides coverage again soon.
You have to feel for John and his team. Up 5-3 without (against Howard in the 1vs2 game), and playing the 8th end, they should win about 81% of the time. In the semifinal, a 6-1 lead with 6 ends remaining should result in victory about 97%. It's not the 99.8% win expectancy that the Atlanta Falcons had in the 3rd quarter of the Super Bowl, but it's pretty close. I'm certain that Kyle Shanahan and Dan Quinn will have many sleepless nights wondering why they didn't just run 3 times into the line and kick a 40 yard field goal (Matt Bryant is
78.2% from 40-49 yards in his career). Side note, LI may have been the greatest gambling Super Bowl in history. A dramatic swing from an Atlanta win (at +3) and Under to New England -3 and Over 59 points. In fact, if NE had won with a field goal in overtime, both the moneyline and over/under would have tied. I can only imagine that would have been the largest push in the history of gambling.
I heard that Epping made an attempt at a double in the 8th end to go up 3 when he had a draw to go up two (against Tuck). As mentioned, I didn't see the shot call, so hard for me to judge, but the relative
risk factor is as follows:
Win Expectancy (3 up, 2 end remain) = 96%
Win Expectancy (2 up, 2 end remain) = 86%
Win Expectancy (Tied with hammer, 2 end remain) = 66%
So the Skip Risk Factor (SRF) with a made double is +.10 but a steal results in -.20. Not certain the risk made sense but without seeing the shot, hard to judge the decision.
Clearly, with McEwen reaching the Brier last year, Epping will continue holding the
BPTHNWAPH belt. Just as Mike did, I'm certain John will pass it to someone else eventually. Unless of course Glenn goes to Germany to visit Kobe Bryant's knee doctor and keeps winning these for another decade. If a 39 year old quarterback can throw 62 passes and win a Super Bowl, I suppose anything is possible.
The previous weekend, I dropped by my local St. Albert Curling Club to take in the Alberta Scotties. Not certain why it wasn't held in an arena (we have a perfectly good one that was used for the Continental Cup a few years back) but sadly I am rarely asked to provide my opinion on such matters.
Congratulations to Team Kleibrink, aided early in the week by super-sub Heather Nedohin. I was there for the hard fought and entertaining 1 vs 2 game, and then enjoyed the finals from the comfort of my couch. I did see an interesting call in an earlier game. During the B Qualifier semi-final, Casey Scheidegger was tied with hammer in the 9th against Geri-Lynn Ramsay. On thirds last rock, Ramsay (Yellow stones) calls a time-out to discuss their options:
They decide to play an angle raise on their stone in the four foot onto the Scheidegger stone at the back of the button. Not sure I agree with this call. Remember, they are tied without hammer and want to force a single by Casey or a steal. A blank is not a favourable result and they should be willing to take risks, even if it means a deuce or worse. The challenge is trying to keep their shooter for third shot and it just doesn't appear to be likely. Even with a made shot, Casey will have a double to sit 2. I suspect they were concerned that the current set-up would be easily doubled, if left as it was. It's also possible that the amount of curl (remember, club, not arena ice) did not allow them to bury enough to the face of the shot stone with an out-turn draw. I prefer attempting the draw, throwing a guard or playing a soft tap on the target stone (rather than a hit) in order to bump it into a freeze position on the pin. I could go into more detail of the benefits or risks of each option, but I need to get back to editing next week's podcast (Dan Carey).
The actual result was worse than expected, as they hit the top yellow stone and rolled out...
Scheidegger eventually scored two (and went on to win). Ultimately, she had a chance at three with little risk of a steal or force.
Thanks again to everyone who is listening to the new podcast. If you like it (or even if you don't), please tell your friends to listen. Please also tell your enemies, your families and tell complete strangers you meet in your everyday life.
Perhaps I'll upchuck another quick article during the Scotties and Brier in the coming weeks.
Until next time...
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