Monday, March 16, 2009

Who will make the podium at the 2009 Canadian Nationals?

With nine provincial teams and a host team to round out the draw to ten teams, this year's provincial championship will be the largest in the six year history of the sport.

Two players, Frank Cannarello of Ontario and Whitney Warren of BC have appeared in every multi-province championship. BC are the only province to have won the title, in 2007 and 2008, with Team Canada winning the first four championships. Team Canada wil not be competing this year, though four of the present eight person squad will appear; Jim Armstrong and Darryl Neighbour with Team BC, Bruno Yizek with Team Alberta, and Chris Sobkowicz with Team Manitoba.

Darryl will not expect to play more than a game unless a team member is unavailable.

BC, Alberta, and Manitoba bring settled sides who all competed last year. Ken Gregory's Ontario rink finally displaced Toronto's Chris Rees and also brings an experienced team that will expect to be competitive.

Nova Scotia, in their second year of competition will have the advantage of home ice and will be looking to build on a very respectable 5th place last year. Northern Ontario's Wayne Ficek surprised last year's Thunder Bay and provincial skip Carl Levesque in bringing his Kenora team through a playdown to win a trip to Nova Scotia. They also supplied the best "don't mess with us" team photo.

All those clamouring for Chris Daw to resuscitate his curling career will be following Newfoundland/Labrador with interest. No provincial team has worked harder and come further in just a year than Quebec, and darkhorses Saskatchewan and the Nova Scotia host team round out the field.

So who's going to win?

Post your 1 - 2 - 3 picks in the comments below, and if you are the first correct entry AND you have your name on your post, you'll win a wheelchaircurling.com t-shirt.

101 comments:

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
Ontario

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
Manitoba

shirt size:

Large

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
Alberta

Anonymous said...

Eric:

Do you have the schedule?

BC
NL
Alberta

Anonymous said...

BC
Ontario
Alberta

. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Sorry, Eric...couldn't access the link



BC
Alta
Manitoba

. said...

The schedule is here

http://wheelchaircurling.com/Nationals/Nationals2009/Nationals2009.htm

(make sure the link is all one line and that you are not picking up just part of it)

Or go to wheelchairchaircurling.com and click on the link on the events page.

We'll be live blogging one game per draw.

The times I have may not be the times the games are played - I will update any changs if and when I receive them.

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
Alta

Anonymous said...

Alberta (already beat Armstrong)
BC
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

First three game day this year. Opportunity to bring on Neighbour and rest eam BC.

Advantage BC.

BC
Ontario
NL

Anonymous said...

BC, Alberta, and Manitoba will qualify. You pick from there.

Anonymous said...

Alberta
BC
Ontario

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
Alberta

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
Alberta

Anonymous said...

1st - BC
2nd - BC
3rd - BC

They're just that damn good! 2 WORLD Champions and 5 CANADIAN Champions...I'm predicting they "Martin" the field.

By the way Team Canada has only won 3 out 5, the 6th has yet to be played

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
Ontario

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
Nova Scotia

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
NL

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
Alberta

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
NL

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
Alta

Anonymous said...

BC
Altbera
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

Manitoba
Alberta
BC

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
Alberta

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
NL

Anonymous said...

Like last year, only bigger score spreads;

BC
Ontario
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

Time to ban Team Canada again and level the playing field

BC
Alberta
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
Alberta

Anonymous said...

ow ca you not pick BC????

BC
Manitoba
NL

Anonymous said...

Maybe a better loses bet would be if BC loses a game.....

BC
ALTA
MAN

Anonymous said...

BC
MAN
ALTA

Anonymous said...

BC
ON
QC

Anonymous said...

As with last year:

BC
ONT
MAN

But not even close

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, no one will want to see BC win....only because they are better than the others. Don't see why we shouldn't like them, though.

If they dserve to win, let's root for them.

BC
Ont
Alberta

Anonymous said...

BC in a walk, (no pun intended)

BC
Man
Ont

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
Ontario

Anonymous said...

BC
Ont
NL

Anonymous said...

BC
ON
ALTA

Anonymous said...

I believe that BC simply ain't that good......two quads can be at least matched, and then a break at skip, and they are beaten.

Look to ignore obvius shots and just try to get a break around the for foot

Anonymous said...

BC
Alta
Man

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
ONT

Anonymous said...

I agree tha BC CAN be beaten.....ignore where Armstrong will want to take you.......

He is the best in the World for making you play his game.

Take chances, and beware of what Amstrong seems to leave you for a shot...likely it is what he wants you to play

Ont
BC
Man

Anonymous said...

I think Jim Armstrong should have to play lead and not call the game.

If not:

BC
ONTARIO
NEWFOUNDLAND

Anonymous said...

Eric:

Do you think Darryl will play more if BC loses a couple of games early?

I think Melissa (coach) will prioritize winning with substitution if necessary.

BC
MAN
NL

Anonymous said...

Do you think the Armstrong - Daw match-up will amount to anything?

BC

Ont

NL

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
Alberta

Anonymous said...

I don't think Jim and Darryl should be allowed on the ice at the same time.

Can the CCA be canvassed to but some control on Team BC?

BC (regardless)
Ont
Man

. said...

I don't think it's Melissa's call. For Darryl to play, Jim, Whitney or Frank would have to sit and while perhaps I can see Jim sitting I don't see Whitney or Frank saying hey Darryl, fine with me if you take my place. Nor should they.

Darryl had his own team at the BC playdowns and he didn't win. He goes as a fifth to play a courtesy game, and step in for one of the men if they are unable to play.

Has nothing to do with whether or not BC would be a stronger team with him in the side. That's the big change this season - it's not a coach selected side.

Anonymous said...

But, Eric:

How important is winning to Team BC? I suspect some of their funding relates to performance, and with Jim and Darryl, they can have performance. Al five are named on the team, and in a perfect world, all five can win, regardless of who steps on the ice

Anonymous said...

That means that with five medals, play any four, including Jim and Darryl.....UNLESS CCA don't want to risk them for a loss.....

Anonymous said...

BC
Que
Ont

Anonymous said...

I woud hope the event is competitive enough to allow BC to play whoever, whenever. Forget the politics, let's see the National as a competitive show.y

Anonymous said...

I don't think we are ready for a competitive National final. It's okay to kick another country, but not each other.

Sit Jim out, and let's have an enjoyable event.

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
NL

Anonymous said...

Bring on Team Canada in whole....Let's see how we compare with the best in Canada.

BC
Man
NL

Anonymous said...

BC EASILY

WHOEVER ELSE SHOWS UP

Anonymous said...

BC
NL
ALBERTA

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
NL

Anonymous said...

BC

NL

MAN

Anonymous said...

Eric:

Jim Armstrong brings on another philosophical issue. Should BC even be allowed to field him? It is such an overloaded advantage that I think the event would best be without him

Anonymous said...

I think Jim should be given the opportunity this year. Another win, and perhaps it should be reassessed.

Anonymous said...

Bring on Team Canada....resolve the selection issue by letting them win their way to Worlds.

It could be announced now, since they can't play this year, and next year Canadians will clash with Paralympics....so.....make the announcement now and deal with it in 2011.

BTW:

BC
Alberta
NL

Anonymous said...

Any chance Chris Daw can make a showing?

I understand he has a new and improved attitude....Team Canada can still use another technically quality player.

Or will his demons of the past continue to haunt his comeback?

Anonymous said...

For whatever his reason, Jim Armstrong has chosen to play in the BC finals, and spend another week at the Nationals.

Letr's hope he brings the same charisma he usually shows, and is available to the players for whatever help they want.

I can't imagine Jim is viewing this as a competitve challenge, or a "must-win" situation.

For the record,

BC

Manitoba
Alberta

Anonymous said...

I just cannot believe one person (Jim Armstrong) can make such a difference.

Eric, have you ever interviewed Darryl Neighbour about how much impact he has?

I think the National will be at least a three horse race, BC, Alberta, and Manitoba, with Ontario threatening.

Neggative to BC? How do you get ready for this after just winning the Worlds in your backyard?

Anonymous said...

A Costa Rician viewpoint
Northern Ont
Ont
BC

Anonymous said...

BC
Manitoba
Ontario

Anonymous said...

I agree...surely on player cannot impact a team that much that it is a foregone conclusion that they will win.

But, you can't bet against him, either.

BC
Ont
NL

Anonymous said...

I heard a rumour that Jim Armstrong will not be going. He didn't attend a camp in Prince George a couple of weeks ago.

Anonymous said...

BC (with or without Jim)
Manitoba
Alberta

Anonymous said...

Armstrong is going.

I saw him get his on ice uniform while in Victoria on the weekend.

BC
Ont
Man

Anonymous said...

I guess I win the Tshirt. I will pick it up when I see you in Halifax Eric.

Ann Onimus

Anonymous said...

Sorry, Ann:

You must FIRST pick BC, then Manitoba, and Alberta

Anonymous said...

BC
Alberta
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

Will the Daw-Armstrong game amount to anything?

Or maybe BC-Alberta?

BC
Alberta
NL

Anonymous said...

Is Halifax simply going to be an Armstrong show? I think he will win, but surely he will drop a game or two along the way.

He won last year, but didn't look that strong early in the week......much like World's.....

BC
NL
ALYA

Anonymous said...

I think your best shot at getting Armstrong will be early in the week. At least get some bragging rights before he sticks it in high gear.

BC
NL
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

I agree....get him early and hold on late.....

BC
mANITOBA
aLBERTA

Anonymous said...

I think Jim's learning curve is over....look for him to light it up a bit....although i don't know if his support is 100%....

BC
Alberta
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

To the contrary

I think he is over-cooked for this season. He has absolutely nothing to prove to anybody. I would hope he just goes to Halifax and enjoys himself. I know he practices all the time with his buddy, Darryl, and spends a lot of time with Jacqueline, as well.

In fact, I don't think he should even be there, but, oh well.....wonder how many months he has spent at national tournamnets in his day?

Alberta
Ontario
BC and Manitoba

Anonymous said...

Alberta

BC

N Ont

Easy as that !!

Anonymous said...

BC yes

Alberta......maybe

N. Ont.........no, try Ont

Anonymous said...

Ant team surviving Tuesday's three draws will be in the driver's seat.

Personally, I doubt anyone will get through it with three wins....unless they use their fifth......hmmmmmm.....Darryl would be a logical substitute.


BC
Ont
Man

Anonymous said...

I would sure hate to see the Las Vegas line on a BC win......

BC

three others to be determined

Anonymous said...

Love or hate him (i don't why you would hate him),

BC will win.

BC
Alberta
Man

Anonymous said...

BC

Rest of the field, barring a MAJOR upset

Anonymous said...

Everybody at the Bradford Curling Club says GO ONTARIO
You can do it Ken!

Anonymous said...

How about:

BC
Ontario
Manitoba

Anonymous said...

Ontario....don't THINK so, but is as good a guess as any past BC.

BC
Ont
Alta

Anonymous said...

Armstrong's pride will get in the way of not winning. Look at the Worlds.......he struggled until they were in a have-to situation.....never lost again.....had to be very careful in choosing more than one set of rocks, since advantage through playoffs was always against them....never had last rock in playoffs, yet never had a game that shoud have gone mor than 6 or 7 ends.

BC
NL
Alts

Anonymous said...

Except of course he lost to Norway, a team that really HAD to win to avoid relegation and re-qualification, in the final draw, a loss that had China won would have thrown Canada into a tie-break situation.

Anonymous said...

You're right...bet against Armstrong.......How about your house?

Declare yourself, and let's get a real bet going.

BC
Ont
Alta

Anonymous said...

1st BC
2nd Manitoba
3rd Ontario

Anonymous said...

It has to be BC. Who coud bet against them?

I wonder if winning is so important that Neighbour will play much?

BC

Alberta
Man

Anonymous said...

Can anyone bet against Armstrong?

If so, who? And why?

BC
Ont
Alta

Anonymous said...

Saw Jim Armstrong at the hotel today....very gracious, and seems like a nice guy.

Also seems quietly confident, but not overstated. Appears he is here to enjoy being sociable, as well.

Chris Daw and he seem quite close.....something in the works??????


BC
ALTA
ONT

Anonymous said...

I think that as we mature yet again this year, that Armstrong's presence is a big plus. More media interest, and a higher profile for the competition as a whole. He always seems to be a great promoter, and, probably a BC win is the best thing for the sport.

Start a dynasty, and it brings interest as well.

Let's hope:

BC
Ont
Man

joey_g said...

go team ontario go just saw results so far on u ( 2-0 )

Anonymous said...

BC over AB-equal skills but far superior coaching BC will tell the tale in strategy and experience.