Tag Archives: Curling

April 5, 2018

Blame Canada

A bald eagle, being used in the opening day ceremony in Minnesota, landed on the shoulder of the Mariner’s starting pitcher, Canadian James Paxton. Paxton stayed calm and was not injured. In retaliation, however, he is shutting out the Twins through three innings.

I’m watching the Twins broadcast, and it looks like they are about to bring on the American curling team that won the gold medal in Korea. It is a great day as two of my favorite sports collide.

February 24, 2018

Sweden Wins Women’s Curling Gold

Sweden beats South Korea 8-3 to win the Olympic gold medal. The story of the game was simple; the Swedish third and fourth greatly out-shot their Korean counter parts. Congratulations to a great Swedish team!

South Korea is on it’s way to becoming a force, however. They played extremely well in the tournament, winning silver. Maybe nerves got to them in this game, but as they mature, they should become one of the best teams in the world.

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Nine

Sweden owns the hammer in this end leading Korea 7-3. If Sweden can score multiple points in this end, the game is likely over.

Update: Korea keeps putting stones behind guards and the Swedes, especially Sara McManus, keeps peeling them off. Korea is running out of both stones and ends.

Update: Korea lies two as Sweden throws the last stone of the end. Korea needs a miss.

Update: Sweden knocks out one Korean stone and rolls for shot. The lead 8-3, and Korea concedes. Sweden wins the gold medal!

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Eight

South Korea has the hammer trailing Sweden 7-2. Korea is desperate for a big end.

Update: Once again, Sweden keeps peeling Korean stones off the ice.

Update: Kyeong Ae Kim tries to draw behind a guard with her first shot, but she throws he stone heavy and Sweden is able to sweep it out of the back of the house.

Update: Korea takes one point to cut the lead to 7-3. That’s a big win for Sweden.

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Seven

Sweden has the hammer as they lead South Korea 4-2.

Update: Once again, Sweden keeps peeling away Korean stones.

Update: Sweden lies three with the skip stones to come. All three stones are in front of the T-line.

Update: Eun Jung Kim knocks out two Swedish stones with her first shot of the end.

Update: Eun Jung fails to freeze to the Swedish stone closest to the center. If Hasselborg can knock that off and stay, the Swedes will earn three points and may assimilate a gold medal.

Update: Hasselborg makes her shot, the Swedes earn three points, and they lead Korea 7-2 with three ends left.

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Six

The Koreans have the hammer in the even ends after two steals by Sweden. South Korea needs to make the most of those opportunities to come back and win gold as Sweden leads 4-1.

Update: Sweden keeps peeling off Korean stones. If Korea can’t get stones in the house, they can’t get a big score.

Update: Korean buries their sixth shot behind a guard, as they try for two.

Update: Sweden runs back the guard to knock off the Korean stone.

Update: Eun Jung Kim puts her first shot on the button.

Update: Hasselborg knocks it off, and the Koreans will be force to take one.

Update: Eun Jung gets the one, and cuts the Swedish lead to 4-2.

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Five

Korea is making more mistakes in end five. They have the hammer, but so far Sweden is lying three.

Update: Sweden now lying four after knocking out another Korean stone.

Update: Nice draw by Kyeong Ae Kim to put a Korean stone between the two Swedish stone closest to the center. Sara McManus knocks it out while leaving Sweden lying four.

Update: Kyeong Ae executes a double take out, but Sweden still has shot rock.

Update: Eun Jung Kim leaves the Koreans with shot, but she was going for a double take out and only gets one. Sweden may steal again.

Update: Anna Hasselborg takes out the Korean stone and rolls behind a center guard. They are forcing Korea to go for one. Eun Jung goes the double take out instead, misses, and Sweden steals another point. The lead Korea 4-1 at half time.

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Four

The Koreans get the hammer in the fourth end as they trail Sweden 2-1.

Update: Sweden sets up a center guard, Korea sets up a corner guard, and both teams put a stone behind the center guard as the broadcast goes to commercial.

Update: The Koreans keep putting a stone on the button behind the center guard, and Sweden keeps knocking them off.

Update: On the last shot of the Korean third, Kyeong Ae Kim, the stone hits the center guard. The Swedish skip, Anna Hasselborg, throws her stone a bit heavy and her stone winds up in the back of the house.

Update: Eun Jung Kim makes the shot that Hasselborg wanted. It’s right on the T-line however, instead of in front of it.

Update: Hasselborg makes the second shot, putting her stone right on the button. Korea is going to for two with a shot that might give Sweden two! High risk, high reward.

Update: Eun Jung’s shot hits a guard and leaves Sweden lying one. The Swedes steal the end and lead Korea 3-1 after four ends.

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Three

Last night, the feed of the men’s match was uninterrupted. For some reason tonight, they are going to commercials during the early stones. That stinks.

Sweden retained the hammer for the third end as Korea leas 1-0.

Update: Nice first shot by Korean third Kyeong Ae Kim, as she knocks out the Swedish stone in the house, then rolls behind a Swedish guard. Sara McManus clears that stone, however.

Update: Eun Jung Kim, the fourth, leaves Korea lying two in the back of the house with her first shot. Both teams are shooting very well.

Update: Eun Jung’s second shot comes up short, and that gives Sweden the chance to draw for two.

Update: Anna Hasselborg draws to the button, Sweden scores two, and they lead South Korea 2-1 after three ends.

February 24, 2018

Women’s End Two

Sweden gets the hammer in the second end as Korea leads 1-0.

Update: Korea does a nice job of setting up a center guard and a stone behind it in the house. Sweden, however, is able to peel off the stone in the house.

Update: Eun Jung Kim makes a great first shot as the fourth to have Korea lying two.

Update: Anna Hasselborg executes a nice double hit to take out one Korean stone, and move the other back in the house while lying shot. Eun Jung follows with a shot that leaves one of hers in the house. (All the Koren women have the surname Kim, so I’ll be referring to them by their given names.)

Update: Sweden blanks the end to see if they can score multiple points in an end. The Koreans lead 1-0 after two ends.

February 24, 2018

Women’s Gold Medal Curling Game

Sweden faces South Korea as the women play for curling goal. Korea gets the hammer in the first end.

Update: Sweden makes the first mistake as second Agnes Knochenhauer misses a takeout. That might make it easier for Korea to score a point.

Update: Sara McManus, the Sweden third, makes up for the mistake with a double takeout.

Update: I forgot to mention that Korea is playing yellow stones, Sweden red.

Update: Eun Jung Kim, the Korean skip, makes a nice last shot to score one and pass the hammer to the Swedes. South Korea leads 1-0 after one end.

Update: I guess Eun Jung was trying to blank the end and failed. Blanking would give the Koreans the hammer in the even ends, the equivalent of last licks in baseball.

February 24, 2018

US Men Win Curling Gold

A great comeback tournament for the US, ending in a 10-7 win over Sweden in the final. John Shuster found himself these last few games, and started making his shots. Tyler George, the US third, was amazing the whole game. Shuster was not perfect, but his shot in the eighth end that scored five points took advantage of a number of Swedish errors.

Congratulations to Sweden as well. Like the US, they never did better than bronze in this competition. They take home a well earned silver medal.

The Swedes won’t sweep gold in curling, but the women get their chance tonight against South Korea. That should be a great game as well.

February 24, 2018

Tenth End

The US is one end from a gold medal, as they lead Sweden 10-7. Can Sweden steal three points? It will take huge mistakes by the US.

Update: Hamilton takes out the two Swedish guards. The US will likely keep removing stones until there are not enough left for Sweden to tie.

Update: Edin uses a spin to make his final shot, then concedes. The USA win curling gold!

February 24, 2018

Ninth End

The Swedes go to the ninth end with the hammer, but trailing the US by five.

Update: The US is just peeling off Swedish stones in this end.

Update: Sweden gets two in the end, and the US goes to the tenth with the hammer and a 10-7 lead.

February 24, 2018

Eighth End

The US has the hammer in the eighth end, tied with Sweden at five. The first five stones of the end are on the center line, two Swedish guards out front.

Update: Nice sweeping by Shuster turns a lemon into lemonade as Hamilton takes out the front guard instead of the back guard. Shuster was able to pull the shooter into the house by sweeping.

Update: Tyler George makes another great shot as he hits and rolls, and the US lies two. George is the MVP for the game so far.

Update: George makes another great shot after a Swedish draw, and the US appears to be lying three after a hit and roll.

Update: Edin draws in to lie one with his first shot.

Update: Shuster removes the rock. The US appears to lie two.

Update: Edin tries for a hit and roll. He gets the hit, does not roll. The US could take out that stone for a very good end.

Update: Shuster hits the double, and the US scores five! This may be over as the US leads 10-5.

Update: That was the best end I’ve seen the US play in all these years of watching Olympic curling.

February 24, 2018

Seventh End

Sweden holds the hammer in the seventh end, trailing by one. The US would like to force Sweden to score one here, so the US can continue to hold the hammer in the even ends.

Update: Hamilton makes a poor first shot as the US second. We’ll see if Sweden can turn it into multiple points.

Update: Hamilton makes up for it with his second shot. He was trying to hit and roll to the center, and winds up doing that and knocking out the second Swedish stone. Great shot.

Update: Sweden makes a mistake, hitting a guard. The US draws to the button and has a US and Swedish stone guarding.

Update: Eridsson peals the guards away, but the US still lies three.

Update: George tries to set up a guard for the US, and doesn’t quite get it as far center as he would have liked.

Update: Eridsson freezes to the US stone on the button, and the US lies one with two more stones in the house.

Update: Shuster puts a stone in the front of the house on the T-line.

Update: Edin throws his first stone through the house.

Update: Shuster sets up another guard.

Update: Edin makes a nice combination shot to knock the US stone off the button, but the Swedes score just one. The game in tied at five after seven ends.

February 24, 2018

Sixth End

The sixth end starts with the US holding the hammer.

Update: The US sets up a stone in the house with a guard. Sweden tries to run both off, but only gets one, moving the US guard into the house.

Update: Tyler George continues to make great shots as the US third. the US lies two after the first shots by the thirds.

Update: Oskar Eridsson, the Swedish third, takes out both US stones.

Update: Edin misses his first shot, failing to take out the US shot rock.

Update: Shuster sets up a difficult double for Sweden, according to the broadcast.

Update: Edin hits and rolls on the side US stone, but rolls two far, and the Shuster just needs to draw for two.

Update: He does, and the US takes two in the end. They lead 5-5.

February 14, 2014

Good Curling

I’m watching the US versus Denmark women’s curling match on my DVR. These are two teams at the bottom of the standings, but each made outstanding shots in the second end. The US third and skip executed three perfect shots in a row to lie two, but the Danish skip had the hammer and knocked off both stones to take two points.

The US women need to win the rest of their round robin games to make the playoff. Denmark has yet to win a match in the tournament.

Update: The US deteriorated after that. Twice they went for a tough shot to score three with the hammer, when a draw would give them two. Both times, they missed and scored just one. Then in the seventh end, another draw would give them one, but the draw was short and Denmark score two and leads 8-2. This match looks over.

Update: Denmark steals one more in the 8th, and the US concedes. Once again, poor shots with ends on the line sink the US.

February 11, 2014

Bad Curling

I’m watching the morning men’s curling match between the USA and China on the DVR. Skip Shuster of the USA just made his usual choke throw in the third end and gave China a three. China leads 4-1 after three ends.

Update:Shuster comes back to score two after a China mistake in the fourth end, and the US trails 4-3.

Update: Once again, Shuster fails to make the big shot. A few more inches with the hammer in the sixth end, and the US scores two. Instead, they take one, lose the hammer, and go into the seventh end trailing 6-4.

The commentators noted the US has a higher shot percentage than China, but it seems China is doing a better job on the big shots.

Update: Shuster makes a terrible shot with the hammer in the eighth end, and China scores two. The US concedes with the score 9-4.

Leverage index was very important in this game. The US made 88% of their shots to 80% for China, but the skips reversed that, the China 4th making 88% of his shots, while Shuster made just 80%. The US falls to 0-2 in the tournament. Maybe we’ll see more Norway now.

November 17, 2013

Curling Debacle

John Shuster and his curling team take an 11-1 lead over Pete Fenson’s squad after four ends as the two teams try to qualify for the Olympics. Fenson could not make a shot, giving up four points in the fourth end despite holding the hammer. Fenson then concedes the match, and Shuster’s team will represent the USA as they try to qualify for the Olympics. Just an amazingly bad game for Pete Fenson, the former Bronze Medalist.

November 16, 2013 November 16, 2013

Busy Eighth End

After two blank ends, Team Shuster and Team Fenson have filled the house in end eight. Shuster still has the advantage in hammers, but Fenton is setting himself up for the needed big end. After five throws by each side, Fenton has shot, and two more stones close to scoring.

Update: Team Fenton fails to set up a guard with their sixth stone.

Update: Shuster makes a nice shot, but Fenson has a chance to set himself up for a steal as he throws the seventh stone of the end.

Update: Fenton makes a perfect shot and is sitting two in the button.

Update: Shuster’s seventh stone puts Fenson in an even better position, with one stone right on the button, and another just off it. He can set up a guard that should give him a decent chance for a steal.

Update: Fenson makes the freeze, and has three in a row, vertical on the button. It will be tough for Shuster to knock off all three.

Update: Shuster makes a great shot to clear two, but Fenson steals the end and gets one for a 4-3 lead. Fenson, however, now will get the hammer in the tenth end.

November 16, 2013

Half a Curl

John Shuster’s and Pete Fenson’s curling teams are tied at three after five ends. Shuster’s squad holds three of the five remaining hammers, so Fenson needs a high scoring end at some point to hang on.

November 16, 2013

Little Mistakes

John Shuster’s curling squad will qualify for a chance to represent the US in the Olympics with a win over Pete Fenson’s team. If Fenson wins, the team’s play a championship game on Sunday. After two ends, Shuster leads 2-1.

I remember Fenson from the 2006 Olympics, and it seems little has changed. His team did well, winning Bronze, but little mistakes seemed to cost him in that tournament. So far today, we’re seeing the same thing, especially on a miscommunication in the second end that set up Shuster’s two points.

The US Men have not qualified for the Olympics yet. The winner of this tournament must compete in an international qualifying tournament for an Olympic berth. The US women have qualified, so whoever wins that contest goes automatically.

November 16, 2013

Ice Time

NBC Sports broadcasts the USA Olympic Curling trials today starting at 3:30 PM EST. It will be the men followed by the women. Needless to say, I’m very excited.

July 8, 2012

Just Another Reason to Love Curling

Via The Big Lead, curlers know how to party:

“If I were to reincarnate myself, I’d come back and do curling,” says Lodwick. “What other sport can you not be in shape for, and still be considered at top athlete?”

While curlers are held in the lowest esteem athletically, they are considered gold medalists when it comes to partying.

After the female Olympian finished competing at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, she checked out of the Village and went to stay with the curlers, who were off-site at a hotel in Whistler.

“That was a party house,” she says. “Curlers are known for drinking. The sport doesn’t require that much.”

I suspect they’re not quite rugby players, who usually play with a keg on the sidelines. 🙂

March 21, 2010 March 15, 2010

Curling Talk

My good friend Ed Vescovi invited my down to the Branford, CT Rotary Club meeting today for lunch and to hear guest speaker Sharon Giese of the Nutmeg Curling Club. Ms. Giese gave an excellent talk on how curling works, from the pebbling of the ice to the balance needed to throw a stone. She cleared up a couple of misconceptions of mine. I thought at the Olympics they resurfaced the ice after five ends, but the five minute break was for TV time. She also told me that sweeping only makes the stone go faster. A sweeper can’t make the stone curve more.

I also now understand the way the spin is applied to the stone. The handle is held at either 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock, then rotated to 12 o’clock, depending on the desired direction of the spin. If the stone is thrown straight, it will start to curl on it’s own, depending on the state of the ice. In that case, it’s like throwing a knuckle ball, you don’t know where it will end up.

If you’re in southern Connecticut and want to try the sport, the club holds a number of open houses. They have 140 members now, but can accommodate another 60.

February 27, 2010

Men’s Curling, Gold Medal Game

Canada and Norway take to the ice in a few minutes to determine which team will take gold and silver. Norway defeated Canada four years ago in the finals. The Canadians are undefeated in this tournament so far.

Update: A double take-out by Norway convinces Canada to blank the first end. They’ll try for two with the hammer in the second.

Update: John Morris, Canada’s third, takes out the three Norwegian stones in the house with his first shot of the second end. They were nicely separated, too.

Update: Kevin Martin’s first shot rolls out of the house, so Thomas Ulsrud puts his last stone in the house behind the Canadian guards. That forces the Canadian skip to take one for the end, and the hammer goes over to Norway for the first time with minimal damage.

Update: Norway blanks the third end. The speculation on the broadcast was that he either wanted to get the hammer for the even ends, or he wants Canada to put guards out front. We’ll see what he tries in the fourth.

Update: With Canada lying three, Ulsrud tries to draw to the button, but misses becoming shout by centimeters. Canada steals a point in the fourth end and leads 2-0.

Update: Another beautiful takeout by Morris, this time in the fifth end. Norway had two in the house, one behind the Canadian guards. Morris took out the free stone, then rolled to take the other, leaving his shooter protected in the house.

Update: Martin misses his first shot of the end. He took out the Norwegian stone, but he meant to roll behind the guards. That gave Ulsrud the chance for a double, but he just missed it.

Update: Martin’s second shot hits the guard, and he looks upset at his sweepers for not getting around it. Now Ulsrud can draw to the button for one.

Update: The Norway sweepers can’t get Ulsrud’s last throw around a Canadian stone in the house, and for the second end in a row, Canada steals one. The lead 3-0 at the break as it’s time to re-pebble the ice.

Update: Ulsrud’s first shot clears off the Canadian stone in the house, and leaves his two stones split in the house. Martin can’t take both off, so Ulsrud now needs to remove the Canadian stone and stick, and they’ll score two points.

Update: A perfect shot by Ulsrud, and Norway scores two in the sixth end. They trail Canada 3-2, but are set up to hold the hammer in the even ends.

Update: The Fire on Ice curling calendar is almost sold out.

Update: John Morris tries for a double take-out, but throws it two hard and only gets one Norwegian stone. Norway may be able to steal here.

Update: Kevin Martin throws a great draw to freeze on the Norwegian stone in the four foot, and become shot. Norway throws their last stone of the end. Norway tries to take it out, but leaves it shot. Now Martin can draw for two.

Update: Martin draws to the button, and Canada leads 5-2 after seven ends. The momentum in that end shifted twice. It’s a great match so far.

Update: This could be the last shot of the game. If Martin can knock out Norway’s only stone in the house, Canada will score three.

Update: Sorry, Norway has the hammer, but Canada is sitting three.

Update: Ulsrud knocks Norway off the button, but is forced to take one. The trail 5-3. They need to force Canada to take one in the ninth end so Norway can try to score three with the hammer in the 10th.

Update: Norway lies two in the ninth end as Kevin Martin brings the hammer. The shot stone is on the button.

Update: Another perfect shot by Martin and perfect sweeping by the Canadians as Canada scores one and goes up 6-3. Norway has the hammer in the last end, but needs at least three to tie. They really need Canada to make a mistake in this end.

Update: With three stones to go on each side, the crowd sings Oh! Canada.

Update: Norway down to their last two stones, and Ulsrud must somehow put both in the house.

Update: The two Norway stones are split, but Martin just needs to take out one to win. If he misses, however, Norway can score three.

Update: Martin lets it go, they hardly sweep, and the Norway stone is gone. Canada takes the gold medal, undefeated in the tournament! Congratulations to the Canadians on showing the world how to curl, and to Norway for the pants and the silver medal. That was a week and a half of fun.

February 27, 2010

Men’s Curling, Bronze Medal Game

Sweden and Switzerland are facing off for the bronze medal in men’s curling. They’re tied at one in the third end.

Update: Switzerland blanks the third end, the game is still tied at one.

Update: Lots of stones sitting in the house with the last shots for each team to come. Switzerland is sitting shot with the hammer in the fourth end.

Update: Sweden leaves their shot up front as a guard. Switzerland has one, and it looks like they’ll be satisfied with that. The risk of a big steal is too great.

Update: That’s what happens. The Swiss leads 2-1, but that wasn’t the best outcome for the end.

Update: Sweden uses the hammer to take two points in the fifth end, going to the break leading 3-2.

Update: Sweden forces Switzerland to take one in the sixth end. Again, the risk of going for two was too great. The Swiss retain the hammer in the even rounds, however. The game is tied at three.

Update: Edin makes a great chain reaction shot for Sweden with his first stone of the seventh. He clears out most of the Swiss rocks and leaves his team shot.

Update: Sweden is forced to take one in the seventh. They lead 4-3, but the Swiss keep the hammer in the even rounds.

Update: Stoeckli of Switzerland takes the last shot of the eighth with no Swiss stones in the house. He knocks out the Swedish stone to keep the score 4-3 and retain the hammer in the ninth. Sweden will try to force Switzerland to take one in the ninth so Sweden can hold the hammer in the tenth.

Update: Switzerland uses its last time out, sitting two in the ninth end with four stones to throw. They would love to take at least two here, then force Sweden to take one in the tenth, giving them the hammer if the game goes to extra ends.

Update: The Swiss third puts his first stone on the right side of the green outside ring. Sweden’s one stone in the house lies third shot, so if the Swiss could get rid of it, they could end up with a very big end.

Sweden takes out that last rock, however, and now they sit 3 and 4.

Update: Great first shot by Stoeckli knocks out the Swedish stone and leaves the Swiss lying four. Edin will try to take out as many of those as possible.

Update: Great chain reaction shot takes out all four Swiss stones! They’ll blank the end again.

Update: Edin misses with his last shot and leaves the Swiss shot. Now, a good draw scores two and wins the bronze.

Update: Stoeckli does it! Congratulations to Switzerland on a great game and the bronze medal!