Covid 19

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Bold Predictions for 2022

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In this episode, Sean and Scott look ahead to 2022 with some predictions for what they think the year will bring. This includes who talking about how Curling Canada will select a mixed doubles representative, trying to make sense of the recent provincial and territorial championship cancellations, and debating who has the edge at the Olympics. They also chat about what the year will bring for team breakups, world championships, retirements, and the Grand Slams.

They also tally up the total donated to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation and Food Banks Canada through sales of the Game of Stones merch, where all proceeds are donated and matched.


For more info and to check out the merch, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Weird Weekend: Cancellations, Qualifications, & Explanations (Plus, a Sex Toy 'Controversy')

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about a weekend when the world of curling really went off the rails. They start by talking about the cancellation of the 2022 Continental Cup, which was scheduled for January in Fredericton before moving onto the Olympic Qualifying Event talking place in the Netherlands, including the playoff matchups for the mixed doubles and the fields for the men's & women's qualifiers, which kick off on the weekend. They also get into the sex toy sponsorship 'controversy' that disrupted the broadcasts. They then move to the Canadian Senior Curling Championship taking place in Sault Ste Marie and the absolutely loaded women's field. They also discuss the coverage of Team Bottcher's announcement that Darren Moulding would no longer be on the team and how business arrangements could infuence team dynamics moving forward. FInally, they debate who would win an all-curling version of the Lou Marsh Award.

For more, be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

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5 Things to Watch at the Champions Cup

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In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about 5 thigns they'll be watching at this week's Champions Cup. They talk about the teams making their first appearance in the bubble, lineup change, the format, & make their picks for the week.

Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Olympic Curling Update: Who's in, Who's out, and How are Teams Qualifying

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about Curling Canada's new Olympic Trial qualification process and how teams will get into the Trials. They also talk about the cancellation of the Women's World Curling Championship and the impact on how country's will qualify for the Olympics. They wrap up by talking about the mixed doubles situation and debate whether Curling Canada will have to send a team to a last chance Olympic qualifier.

News Update: What to Expect in the Curling Canada Bubble

In this episode, Sean and Scott break down the Curling Canada's Calgary bubble announcement for the Scotties, Brier, Mixed Doubles, and Men's Worlds. They discuss the protocols, the reaction from players, and how confident they are in these events taking place.

Big Weekend on Tour as More Curling Facilities Close

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about the big tour events from this weekend, including the cancellation of of the women's event in Okotoks, Alberta. They also talk about more facilities announcing closures for the season and what the longterm impact could be on the sport.

Unsung Heroes of the Curling Club: Board Members During Covid

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Steve Graham, a Board member at the Fergus Curling Club, to discuss the challenges volunteer Boards are facing during Covid 19 and some of the considerations for returning to play.

Rec Leagues Return to Play

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about their feelings as they get ready to return to the ice. They talk about masks on the ice, safety protocols, and how the social side of the sport will change. They also discuss their level of anticipation for this season as compared to years past.

Worlds Qualification Cancellations

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about the World Curling Federation's cancellation of the 2020 European Championship, Pacific-Asia Curling Championship, and America's Challenge. They discuss the ramifications on the 2021 Brier and Scotties, what the  World Championships will look like, and how this could shape the Olympics.

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Summer News Update: Canada Cup Postponed & Clubs Announce Plans

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In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about all the recent news in the world of curling. They talk about the postponement of the Canada Cup, how that will shape the season, and whether this will lead to changes for the Scotties and Brier. They also talk about local curling facilities announcing their plans for the season and the resulting financial implications for the sport.

Jill Officer and Kirk Muyres on Tour Teams' Return to Play

In this episode, Sean and Scott on joined by Jill Officer and Kirk Muyres on the possibility of elite-level teams returning to competition this fall. First, Jill Officer talks about the challenges of setting schedules, team dynamics, and her role on the World Curling Federation's Athlete Comission. Then, Kirk Muyres discusses the financial ramifications of the Grand Slam's cancellations, how teams manage sponsor relationships, and balancing four-person teams and mixed doubles. 

Breaking Down Curling Canada's Return to Play Guidelines with Curling Geek

In this episode, Sean and Scott are joined by Doug (aka Curling Geek) to discuss Curling Canada's Return to Play Guidelines. They talk about the practicality of physical distancing in curling, the financial implications for clubs, and whether there will be curling in clubs this winter.

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Curling News Update & Ranking Top 5 Players in the World

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In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about some recent curling news, including event cancellations, procedures for clubs, and the new World Curling Tour points system. They also give their rankings of the top 5 players in the world.

Best Games to Watch on YouTube

In this episode, Sean and Scott give their recommendations for games available on YouTube. Sean ranks his top 5 while Scott goes through his list chronologically. They talk about what makes a game re-watchable and re-live some of the great moments from these games. 

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Simulating the Men's World Championship

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In this episode, Sean and Scott run a complete simulation of the 2020 Men's World Championship. Using the team's statistics, Scott ran a series of calculations to create a formula to simulate each game. Scott describes the math behind and they talk about the results of the round robin and simulate the playoffs live on the show.

What Does Olympic Postponement Mean for Summer & Winter Athletes

In this episode, recorded before the official announcement of the Olympics being postponed to 2021, Sean and Scott talk about the challenges associated with changing the dates of Tokyo 2020. They talk about the financial issues for sponsors, television partners, and, most importantly, the athletes.  They also look at the logistics of shifting the dates and how that might impact the winter games in Beijing in 2022.

Events Are Cancelled & Lineups Are Shuffled

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about the World Curling Federation and Curling Canada cancelling events in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also talk about the teams that have made lineup changes and hear the news about John Morris joining Team Koe live during the show.