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.
Monday, March 16, 2009
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101 comments:
BC
Alberta
Ontario
BC
NL
Manitoba
shirt size:
Large
BC
Manitoba
Alberta
Eric:
Do you have the schedule?
BC
NL
Alberta
BC
Ontario
Alberta
Sorry, Eric...couldn't access the link
BC
Alta
Manitoba
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.
BC
Alberta
Manitoba
BC
NL
Alta
Alberta (already beat Armstrong)
BC
Manitoba
First three game day this year. Opportunity to bring on Neighbour and rest eam BC.
Advantage BC.
BC
Ontario
NL
BC, Alberta, and Manitoba will qualify. You pick from there.
Alberta
BC
Ontario
BC
NL
Alberta
BC
NL
Alberta
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
BC
Manitoba
Ontario
BC
Alberta
Nova Scotia
BC
Manitoba
NL
BC
Manitoba
Alberta
BC
Manitoba
NL
BC
NL
Alta
BC
Altbera
Manitoba
Manitoba
Alberta
BC
BC
NL
Alberta
BC
Alberta
NL
Like last year, only bigger score spreads;
BC
Ontario
Manitoba
Time to ban Team Canada again and level the playing field
BC
Alberta
Manitoba
BC
Manitoba
Alberta
ow ca you not pick BC????
BC
Manitoba
NL
Maybe a better loses bet would be if BC loses a game.....
BC
ALTA
MAN
BC
MAN
ALTA
BC
ON
QC
As with last year:
BC
ONT
MAN
But not even close
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
BC in a walk, (no pun intended)
BC
Man
Ont
BC
Alberta
Ontario
BC
Ont
NL
BC
ON
ALTA
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
BC
Alta
Man
BC
NL
ONT
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
I think Jim Armstrong should have to play lead and not call the game.
If not:
BC
ONTARIO
NEWFOUNDLAND
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
Do you think the Armstrong - Daw match-up will amount to anything?
BC
Ont
NL
BC
Manitoba
Alberta
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
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.
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
That means that with five medals, play any four, including Jim and Darryl.....UNLESS CCA don't want to risk them for a loss.....
BC
Que
Ont
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
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.
BC
Alberta
NL
Bring on Team Canada in whole....Let's see how we compare with the best in Canada.
BC
Man
NL
BC EASILY
WHOEVER ELSE SHOWS UP
BC
NL
ALBERTA
BC
Alberta
NL
BC
NL
MAN
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
I think Jim should be given the opportunity this year. Another win, and perhaps it should be reassessed.
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
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?
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
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?
A Costa Rician viewpoint
Northern Ont
Ont
BC
BC
Manitoba
Ontario
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
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.
BC (with or without Jim)
Manitoba
Alberta
Armstrong is going.
I saw him get his on ice uniform while in Victoria on the weekend.
BC
Ont
Man
I guess I win the Tshirt. I will pick it up when I see you in Halifax Eric.
Ann Onimus
Sorry, Ann:
You must FIRST pick BC, then Manitoba, and Alberta
BC
Alberta
Manitoba
Will the Daw-Armstrong game amount to anything?
Or maybe BC-Alberta?
BC
Alberta
NL
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
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
I agree....get him early and hold on late.....
BC
mANITOBA
aLBERTA
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
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
Alberta
BC
N Ont
Easy as that !!
BC yes
Alberta......maybe
N. Ont.........no, try Ont
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
I would sure hate to see the Las Vegas line on a BC win......
BC
three others to be determined
Love or hate him (i don't why you would hate him),
BC will win.
BC
Alberta
Man
BC
Rest of the field, barring a MAJOR upset
Everybody at the Bradford Curling Club says GO ONTARIO
You can do it Ken!
How about:
BC
Ontario
Manitoba
Ontario....don't THINK so, but is as good a guess as any past BC.
BC
Ont
Alta
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
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.
You're right...bet against Armstrong.......How about your house?
Declare yourself, and let's get a real bet going.
BC
Ont
Alta
1st BC
2nd Manitoba
3rd Ontario
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
Can anyone bet against Armstrong?
If so, who? And why?
BC
Ont
Alta
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
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
go team ontario go just saw results so far on u ( 2-0 )
BC over AB-equal skills but far superior coaching BC will tell the tale in strategy and experience.
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