The Canadian Olympic Curling Trials are underway, and the ice is already heating up! After a weekend of intense competition in Halifax, the race to represent Canada at the Winter Olympics in Italy next year is well and truly on. Let's dive into the action!
Team Dunstone, featuring brothers E.J. and Ryan Harnden, has emerged as an early frontrunner, currently boasting a 2-0 record. Their journey began with a commanding 6-3 victory over John Epping's Sudbury-based team on Saturday. Dunstone's strategy, as described by themselves, is all about control: "Don’t get hammer to start, get a steal, control the scoreboard the rest of the way.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Team Jacobs, skipped by Brad Jacobs, faced a setback in their opening match, losing 6-5 to Kevin Koe's Calgary team. Jacobs admitted the loss was on him, stating he "was just not good in that first game.” However, they bounced back on Sunday with an extra-end win against Rylan Kleiter, showcasing their resilience. Jacobs acknowledged the tough competition, saying, "That was a great test for us, and that’s how we expect this entire week to go.”
Sunday's games saw Team Dunstone continue their winning streak with an 8-4 triumph over Jordon McDonald. Colton Lott of Team Dunstone emphasized their ability to overcome challenges, saying, “We just stuck with it... kept capitalizing and putting pressure on them.”
And this is the part most people miss... The format of the tournament is crucial. Round-robin play continues through Wednesday, with the top three teams advancing to the playoff round. The top teams move directly to the best-of-three final, while the second- and third-place teams battle it out in a semifinal on Thursday. Monday promises more excitement, with Jacobs playing two games and Dunstone also hitting the ice twice.
What do you think of Team Jacobs' comeback? Will Dunstone maintain their winning streak? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!**
