Czech Republic

Madeleine Dupont Proves Scott Wrong! And What's the Value of Rankings?

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about a fun week so far at the European Championships. They discuss Madeleine Dupont's incredible run, the women's final, and the crowded middle of the women's field. They also chat about the men's side and how things look heading into the second semi final. They then look at the current CTRS, Ken Pom, and Twine Time rankings and debate about the value of ranking systems and whether they warrant so much attention.

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Is the Power Play Good for Mixed Doubles? Plus, More World Championships & the Final Grand Slam

In this episode, Sean and Scott go around the world of curling to discuss the latest developments. They start by talking about the World Senior Curling Championships (2:40) and the Mixed Doubles World Championship (5:23). They then do a deep dive into the Power Play statistics and debate whether it helps or hurts the mixed doubles discipline, particularly when it comes to keeping games close (14:04). They finish up by chatting about the Canadian U18 Championship (31:55), previewing the Champions Cup (33:55), and how to watch the Wheelchair Mixed Doubles World Championship (43:05).


Fore more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

(Nearly) Live from Men's World Curling Championship

In this week's episode, Sean talks with some of the players at the 2022 Men's World Curling Championship.

Hear from Ross Patterson, Oskar Eriksson, Korey Dropkin, Brad Gushue, Amos Mosaner, Magnus Ramsfjell, Lukas Klima, Craig Saville, Yannick Schwaller, Niklas Edin, and Brett Gallant as they talk about the ice conditions, world championship debuts, Olympic hangovers, and the state of the world championship in a sport so focused on the Olympic Games.

For more, visit us GameofStonesPod.com

One Worlds Ends as Another Worlds Starts

In this episode, Sean and Scott look back at the Women's World Curling Championship in Prince George, BC (1:55). They talk about SIlvana Tirinzoni's 3rd consecutive championship, a terrific performance from Team Korea, and the untimely struggles of Team Canada in the midst of an overall very good week. They also chat about Anna Hasselborg still chasing that elusive world championship, strong performances for Denmark and the United States, and Turkey picking up the country's first ever victory in their debut performance.

They then move on to this week's Men's World Curling Championship (35:10). They talk about some of the major teams that are not going to be playing in Las Vegas before going through the 13 teams that will be playing. They discuss each team's roster and divide the field into tiers before making their picks.

They wrap up by giving their initial reactions to the news that Tracy Fleury will join Team Homan and their own return to the win column.

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Women's Worlds Take Shape & New Teams Announced

In this episode, Sean and Scott check in on the Women's World Curling Championship taking place in Prince George, BC. They talk about the new no-tick rule and its impact on the play, where Team Canada stands, and how they playoff picture looks. They also talk about Team Scotland's withdrawal, the impact on the field, and how the remaining schedules shape the playoff race. Before moving on, they also correct last week's episode on how Czech Republic made it into the field and discuss other replacements for Russia in world events. They then discuss the new team announcements, including Teams Howard, McCarville, Jacobs, and Lawes. They end with a discussion of the Gouden Carolus Classic and their own teams as they head to the end of the season.

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

Keepin' Up with Curlin' - Brier & Paralympic Reactions, Women's Worlds Preview, & Roster Shakeups

In this episode, Sean and Scott go around the world of curling to talk about all the action from the ice. They start by recapping the Brier (1:45), including Brad Gushue's remarkable win, some of the more fun results, and the state of the broadcasts. That's followed by a recap of the Paralympics (35:25), including the great performances by the medallists and Slovakia's incredible run. They then preview the Women's World Curling Championship, which starts on Saturday (43:55), by discussing their expectations for the 13 teams in the field. They wrap up by offering their reactions to some of the team breakups that have been announced this week (1:07:28).

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

High Expectations!?! Who has the Edge in Mixed Doubles at the Olympics

In this episode, Sean and Scott look ahead to the mixed doubles competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics. They go through all 10 teams competing in Beijing and discuss what will constitute a successful week. They also go through some key stats for each team and make their picks for who will stand on the podium at the end of the week.

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

10 Burning Questions Heading into the Olympics

In this episode, Sean and Scott look ahead to 2022 Winter Olympic Games by addressing some of the biggest questions heading into the competition.

Will everyone be able to play? (5:20)

How will the ice conditions be? (9:36)

What is the magic number for losses to still make the playoffs? (13:16)

Will one player win two medals? (14:57)

How will the Chinese curling team perform? (18:33)

What style of play should we expect? (23:07)

Is this the best American curling contingent ever? (28:10)

Will there be an upset? (32:33)

Does Canada have to win a medal? (35:20)

Will one country sweep the gold medals? (42:02)

Are there any players you want to see win? (44:15)

Let us know what you think of these burning questions on social media @GameofStonesPod

For more, 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

Bad Beer Bet with Rocks Across the Pond: Picking the Euros & Olympic Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott are joined by Jonathan & Ryan from Rocks Across the Pond for their annual Bad Beer Bet. They talk about the fields for the European Championship and the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, both of which start on Saturday, before making their picks for the week. Whichever show loses has to drink some terrible beer live on our end of year Broomstack.

For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

That's a Wrap! Recapping the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship

In this episode, Sean and Scott recap the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. They talk about Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds' win, a great week for Norway, and some missed opportunities in the gold medal game. They also talk about the teams that qualified for the Olympics, relegation, and the struggles of the specialists.

Join us at GameofStonesPod.com for all our past episodes and links to the merch.

Swiss Dynasty: Recapping the Women's World Championship

In this episode, Sean and Scott look back 2021 Women's World Curling Championship. They talk about back to back wins for Switzerland and Silvana Tirinzoni, a strong performance for the Russian Curling Federation, and the first American medal in 15 years. They also talk about Anna Hasselborg's week, Denmark qualifying for the Olympics, and Kerri Einarson's and Team Canada's tough week. They finish by talking about Scotland's tough week, looking ahead to the Olympic Qualifying Event next December and what that could look like for Korea and Japan, and wrapping up the week for Estonia, Italy, and the Czech Republic.

Women's Worlds Preview: Who Will Qualify for the Olympics?

In this episode, Sean and Scott briefly talk about the final Grand Slam (1:37) before discussing which teams they think will punch their tickets to the 2022 Winter Olympics (4:35). They then go through the field team by team (12:00) and finish off by talking about the positive Covid tests for one of the incoming teams (1:04:34).

Be sure to head to GameofStonesPod.com for all our past episodes and be sure to check out our new merch!