A Stacked Pool, New Playoffs, & a Three-peat? Our 2022 Scotties Preview

In this episode, Sean and Scott look ahead to the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. They chat about the new modified page playoff system (4:35), whether the teams that didn't play in the Olympic Trials have an advantage (10:13), and a stacked Pool A (13:10). They then go team by team through Pool A (17:10) and Pool B (35:30) before making their picks for the week (49:30).

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

Canada Has a Mixed Doubles Team: Instant Reaction

On Thursday, Curling Canada announced that Rachel Homan and John Morris would represent Canada at the upcoming Beijing Olympics. In this quick episode, Sean and Scott share their instant reaction, what this means for mixed doubles in Canada, and the impact on who will represent Ontario at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

For more, vsit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Play to Win the Game: Provincial Champions, Mixed Doubles Confusion, & More Wild Cards

This week, Sean and Scott go through all the news in the world curling. They start by talking about the results of the weekend's provincial championships (2:25) before going through the now completed Scotties field (20:36), with the exception of the somewhat confusing Ontario situation and why Team Homan won't be allowed to play if Rachel Homan is selected for the Olympics (24:40). They then move on to who Curling Canada should select as the mixed doubles team at the Olympics and whether the rankings should be the ultimate decided factor (27:00). They then finish the show by talking about the push to add more wild card teams to the Scotties and Brier and the pros and cons (36:56).

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

Bold Predictions for 2022

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

Best of 2021

This week, we look back at some of our favourite moments from 2021. From great guests to an accurate prediction, we re-visit the moments that stood out to us from the year. Thanks to everyone for listening and we wish you a healthy and happy 2022!

Clips

Advent of Rotation on the Stone: 2:35

Jason Chang on PACC: 7:25

Scott's Bold Prediction: 9:35

Greg Smith on LGBTQ2+ Representation: 13:28

Elena Stern on Switzerland's same-sex marriage referendum: 15:10

Katherine Henderson on Curling Canada's Equity and Diversity Initiative: 16:42

Annette Norberg's Greatness: 21:22

Kirk Muyres on Players on TV: 25:36

Nevin Demiliano on Social Media in Curling: 27:27

Use of Unbelievable in Broadcasts: 31:34

You can find all of our past episodes at GameofStonesPod.com

Separating Fact from Fiction at the Canadian Mixed Doubles Olympic Curling Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott look ahead to the Candian Mixed Doubles Olympic Curling Trials, which kick off next week in Manitoba. They go through the 16 teams in the field and separate fact from fiction as the discuss what will be the difference in determining who is going to Beijing and who is going home.

For more, including our merch, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

The 2021 Stoney Awards: Honouring the Year's Best in Curling

In this episode, Sean and Scott hand out some hardware as we present our year end awards. We go through 10 categories as we recount the highlights from a very eventful year in the world of curling.

Be sure to 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

Queen Stays Queen: Recapping the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott look back at the week that was at the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials. They start by talking about the women's final, the missed opportunities in that game, and a couple technical issues spotted during the late ends. Then the discuss the men's final, the cause of the low score, and Brad Jacobs' final shot. They also chat about Team Jones and Team Gushue as Team Canada at the Olympics before finishing by recapping the results from the 2021 European Curling Championship.

For more, be sure to visit us GameofStonesPod.com

Each Team's Path to Victory at the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott preview the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials.. They talk about all 18 teams in the field and chart a path for how each of them can stand tall at the end of the week. They also talk about the schedule, the expected crowds, and their Broomstacking plans for the week.

To join us for our daily Broomstacking following the afternoon draws, follow us on Facebook

For more, 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

Hong Kong Skip Jason Chang on the 30th & Final Pacific Asia Curling Championship

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about this week's Pacific Asia Curling Championship before welcoming in Team Hong Kong Skip Jason Chang. Jason talks about the new-look field this year, adding new players to the team, and his expectations for the week. We also discuss the women's field, world championship qualification, and the legacy of the Pacific Asia Curling Championship.

You can watch all this week's action here.

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She Did What!?!? Combacks, Qualifications, & a World Championship

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about a busy weekend in the world of curling. They discuss a couple crazy comebacks for Krista McCarville, the tough spot facing Mackzenzie Zacharias, and teams Horgan and Gunnlaugson qualifying at the Pre-Trials before looking ahead to how the four teams who got through this weekend may fare during the Olympic Curling Trials later this month. They then recap China's extra-end win at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship, Sweden's strong 3-three run, and the teams that qualified for the 2022 Paralympic Games. The guys finish out the show by talking about Team Bottcher securing Canada's spot in the 2022 World Championship, Plys/Persinger winning the US Mixed Doubles qualifier, and who they're picking in this week's National Grand Slam.


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1 Key Stat for Each Team at the Pre-Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about this week's Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trial event in Liverpool, Nova Scotia and give 1 key stat for each of the 28 teams in the field. They talk about how teams can use the stats to their advantage, how they stack up with regards to Hammer Factor, and who is playing well going into the event. They wrap up by making their picks for who will earn berths to the Trials in Saskatoon and talk about where you can watch this week.

For more, please visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

Previewing the World Wheelchair Curling Championship

In this episode, Sean flies solo to talk about the 2021 World Wheelchair Curling Championship, which kicks off Saturday in Beijing. He goes through the Paralympic Games qualification process and talks about who is in, who is out, and who has to perform this week to earn a spot. He then goes through all 12 teams in the field, breaking down lineup changes, experience v. rookies, and which team has the strongest roster as we start to look ahead to who may be at the top of the podium at the end of the week.


For more curling, please join us at GameofStonesPod.com

Does Slam Success = Olympic Success?

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about the return of the Grand Slam of Curling by talking about next week's Masters. With this being an Olympic year, they look back at how the Olympic teams from 2018 fared in the Slams leading up to the Games to try to determine if there is a correlation between success in the Slams and success in the Olympics. They also talk about the triple knockout format, the 32 teams in the field, and make their picks for the week.

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We're Back on the Ice! Return to Curl at the Rec Level

In this episode, Sean and Scott talk about their first games back on the ice with their teammate Maegan Hough. They talk about the Covid protocols in place for this season, the difference from last year, and their level of comfort being back in the arena. They also chat about the new developments that have come to rec curling, including changes to the post-game socializing, and their expectations for the 2021-22 season.

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

Real Live Curling: Recapping What We Saw at the Pre-Pre-Trials

In this episode, Sean and Scott recap the Pre-Pre-Trials. They talk about the teams that qualified for the Trials, the format of the Trials Direct Entry Event, and what to expect from the teams that didn't punch their tickets to Saskatoon. They then discuss the Pre-Pre-Trials, remarkable weeks for Sean Grassie and Jill Brothers, and Kerry Galusha earning a berth to the Pre-Trials. They also go over their experience in the building, the protocols in place, and give credit to Curling Canada for investing in this event before going over some other results from the weekend and a great news story from the world of curling.


Be sure to visit us at GameofStonesPod.com

It's Olympic (Qualifying) Time: Looking Ahead to the Pre-Pre-Trials

In this week's episode, Sean and Scott talk about this week's Pre-Pre-Trials event being held in Ottawa. In one of the two concurrent events, 2 men's and 3 women's teams will qualify for the Olympic Trials in Saskatoon, with the other teams heading to the Pre-Trials in Liverpool, Nova Scotia in October. In the other event, the Pre-Pre-Trials, 2 men's and 2 women's teams will qualify for the Pre-Trials. The Game of Stones team will be on-site throughout the event, so be sure to follow along @GameofStonesPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Visit us at GameofStonesPod.com