Week # 6 on the WCT was another great week for Hardline Curling and its teams!
The top men's event was the Point Optical Curling Classic in Saskatoon SK and featured several of the top 10 men's teams in the world. Several teams were playing the icePad. So many in fact that Mike McEwen tweeted out:
Not so long ago our team was about the only ones, but WOW has it changed - am I in #icePadholyland ??? @POCC1 #ToonTown @HardlineCurling
In quarter final action, Steve Laycock defeated Charley Thomas, Reid Carruthers beat Bottcher, and Mike McEwen defeated John Shuster. Brad Jacobs defeated Niklas Edin in the other quarterfinal.
In the semis, Carruthers took 2 in the 8th end to defeat Laycock, and McEwen defeated Jacobs in the other, setting up an all Hardline final.
McEwen took an early 1-0 lead after one, and stole 1 in the 2nd and 3 in the 3rd to take a 5-0 lead, en route to an 8-4 win and the title and defend their win from last year. This was Team McEwen's first win of the year, after a semis result in their first event in Paradise NL. Congrats Mike and team, and to all Hardline teams!
In other action on the WCT:
In Kitchener, at the KW Fall Classic, Allison Flaxey continued her recent strong play. She defeated another Hardline team Jacqueline Harrison coming back from a early 4-0 deficit to win 6-5 in the quarters. In the semi finals, Flaxey stole the 8th end to defeat reigning Ontario champion Julie Hastings by the same 6-5 score. In the finals, Flaxey faced Erica Brown of the USA, and with two steals of 2 in the game, won by a score of 7-3 and the title! Congrats Team Flaxey!
In Winnipeg, at the Mother Club Fall Curling Classic, many of our top women's teams in Manitoba took part including Kristy McDonald, Kerri Einarson, Michelle Montford. McDonald reached the quarters, while Michelle Montford defeated Kerri Einarson in the semis, and went on to win the finals over 10-3 over Beth Peterson. Congrats to Team Michelle Montford!
In Lower Sackville, NS, Team Theresa Breen, Hardline supporters, won the Appleton Rum Cashspiel, defeating Shannon Tatlock 5-1 in the finals. It was the first event for Team Breen joining many teams who won their first event playing with the icePad!
And in New Westminster BC, Team Tyler Tardi beat Jordan Kiss by an 8-2 score after 5 ends in the Anita Cochrane Memorial Junior Cash Spiel! Congratulations!
Hardline WIN Count after Week # 6: 12
Brad Gushue – Stu Sells Oakville
Silvana Tirinzoni – GSOC Tour Challenge Tier 1
Kerri Einarson – GSOC Tour Challenge Tier 2
Jacqueline Harrison – OCT Oakville Fall Classic
Brad Gushue – AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic
Shaun Meachem – HDF Insurance Shootout
Dean Joanisse – Cloverdale Cashspiel
Mike McEwen - Point Optical Curling Classic
Allison Flaxey - KW Fall Curling Classic
Michelle Monford - Mother Club Curling Classic
Theresa Breen - Appleton Rum Cashspiel
Tyler Tardi - Anita Cochrane Memorial Junior Cash
Monday, September 28, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
WEEK # 5 – THREE MORE WCT WINS!
The wins keep coming for Hardline Nation!
One of the big events of the year on tour is the Shorty Jenkins Classic. For the first time in 18 years, it moved from Brockville to the Cornwall Curling Club, and by all accounts was a huge success.
Brad Gushue went a perfect 5-0 in the round robin and faced John Epping in the quarterfinals. Gushue prevailed by a 4-3 score, taking one in the 8th to seal the win. In the semis, Gushue faced another tough opponent in Brad Jacobs, but again got the win 5-3.
In the finals, Gushue faced a formidable Glenn Howard team, who always seems to do well at the Shorty. The fans were treated to a great game with some amazing shots. Gushue took a two point lead into the 8th, but Howard scored his deuce to tie. In the extra end, Howard made an amazing shot to force Gushue into making a tough shot for the win. Gushue calmly made the shot, and claimed the Shorty Jenkins title! That makes two event wins and one finals in three weeks for Gushue. Quite the hot start indeed!
On the ladies side, 12 women’s teams took part, with Allison Flaxey qualifying as one of the four playoff teams. In the semis, Flaxey faced a tough Marie France Larouche team, and stole the extra end to reach the finals. In the finals Flaxey played Korea’s EunJung Kim who has been playing very well since the start of the season. Flaxey down 4-1 after 6 ends, scored a big 3 in the 7th to tie the game at 4-4. In the 8th, it came down to a measure, but Kim prevailed and scored her one. Congrats Allison and team on a great event!
Moving west to Edmonton, the HDF Insurance Shootout the men’s event was won by Shaun Meachem of Saskatoon, Hardline supporters. They defeated Brendan Bottcher in the finals 8-4! On the ladies side, Chelsea Carey went a perfect 5-0 in the round robin. In the quarterfinals, Carey beat Casey Scheidegger 6-1, and then faced Stefanie Lawton in the semis. Chelsea Carey came up just a bit short in the semis, falling 6-3 to Lawton. A great showing for Team Carey!
Finally out west in Surrey BC, the Cloverdale Cashspiel was good for Hardline, with Dean Joanisse starting off their season on a winning note, winning the finals 8-2 over Chase Martyn. Tyler Tardi also enjoyed a good event, with a semi finals finish!
Hardline Win Count after Week 5: 7
Brad Gushue – Stu Sells Oakville
Silvana Tirinzoni – GSOC Tour Challenge Tier 1
Kerri Einarson – GSOC Tour Challenge Tier 2
Jacqueline Harrison – OCT Oakville Fall Classic
Brad Gushue – AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic
Shaun Meachem – HDF Insurance Shootout
Dean Joanisse – Cloverdale Cashspiel
One of the big events of the year on tour is the Shorty Jenkins Classic. For the first time in 18 years, it moved from Brockville to the Cornwall Curling Club, and by all accounts was a huge success.
Brad Gushue went a perfect 5-0 in the round robin and faced John Epping in the quarterfinals. Gushue prevailed by a 4-3 score, taking one in the 8th to seal the win. In the semis, Gushue faced another tough opponent in Brad Jacobs, but again got the win 5-3.
In the finals, Gushue faced a formidable Glenn Howard team, who always seems to do well at the Shorty. The fans were treated to a great game with some amazing shots. Gushue took a two point lead into the 8th, but Howard scored his deuce to tie. In the extra end, Howard made an amazing shot to force Gushue into making a tough shot for the win. Gushue calmly made the shot, and claimed the Shorty Jenkins title! That makes two event wins and one finals in three weeks for Gushue. Quite the hot start indeed!
On the ladies side, 12 women’s teams took part, with Allison Flaxey qualifying as one of the four playoff teams. In the semis, Flaxey faced a tough Marie France Larouche team, and stole the extra end to reach the finals. In the finals Flaxey played Korea’s EunJung Kim who has been playing very well since the start of the season. Flaxey down 4-1 after 6 ends, scored a big 3 in the 7th to tie the game at 4-4. In the 8th, it came down to a measure, but Kim prevailed and scored her one. Congrats Allison and team on a great event!
Moving west to Edmonton, the HDF Insurance Shootout the men’s event was won by Shaun Meachem of Saskatoon, Hardline supporters. They defeated Brendan Bottcher in the finals 8-4! On the ladies side, Chelsea Carey went a perfect 5-0 in the round robin. In the quarterfinals, Carey beat Casey Scheidegger 6-1, and then faced Stefanie Lawton in the semis. Chelsea Carey came up just a bit short in the semis, falling 6-3 to Lawton. A great showing for Team Carey!
Finally out west in Surrey BC, the Cloverdale Cashspiel was good for Hardline, with Dean Joanisse starting off their season on a winning note, winning the finals 8-2 over Chase Martyn. Tyler Tardi also enjoyed a good event, with a semi finals finish!
Hardline Win Count after Week 5: 7
Brad Gushue – Stu Sells Oakville
Silvana Tirinzoni – GSOC Tour Challenge Tier 1
Kerri Einarson – GSOC Tour Challenge Tier 2
Jacqueline Harrison – OCT Oakville Fall Classic
Brad Gushue – AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic
Shaun Meachem – HDF Insurance Shootout
Dean Joanisse – Cloverdale Cashspiel
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
WEEK # 2 – OAKVILLE OCT FALL CLASSIC – JACQUELINE HARRISON WINS
In Oakville
ON, the OCT Fall Classic was played with two Hardline women’s teams in
action. Jacqueline Harrison finished the
round robin at 3-1 while Allison Flaxey finished at 4-0 and both teams
qualified for playoffs on Sunday.
Flaxey lost her quarter final game to Mallory Kean in a hard fought extra end battle, while Jacqueline Harrison defeated
In the semis, Harrison had
a bit of easier time defeating Ashley Waye 6-0 to advance to the finals.
In the finals, Harrison
along with teammates Janet Murphy, Stephanie Matheson, Melissa Foster and
alternate Nicole Westlund defeated Mallory Kean 5-2 and claimed the title!
A great start to the season for Harrison ! Congrats ladies!
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| Team Harrison (Photo from Twitter @HughMurf) |
WEEK # 2 – TIRINIZONI WINS FIRST GSOC! EINARSON GOES TO THE SHOW!
Paradise NL proved to be paradise after all for two Hardline
teams!
Team Silvana Tirinzoni battled hard and overcame much
adversity throughout the game and stole a victory from defeat! Down 5-2 after 6
ends, and with opponent Rachel Homan seemingly in control, Tirinzoni with lead
Marlene Albrecht, 2nd Esther Neuenschwander, and 3rd
Manuela Siegrist battled to take 2 in the 7th end, and stole 2 in
the 8th end when Homan’s draw attempt overcurled and slipped past
shot rock. After several playoff
finishes and finals over the past year, Tirinzoni finally knocked open that
door and won her first GSOC title in her career. Tirinzoni finished the round robin at 2-2,
and with a good shootout score, they finished in 6th place. They defeated Kelsey Rocque in the quarters
and Tracy Fleury in the semis to face Rachel Homan.
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| Tier1 Champions Team Tirinzoni (Photo by Anil Mungal - GSOC) |
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| Team Tirinzoni discuss a shot with coach Gerry Adam (Photo by Anil Mungal - GSOC) |
In Tier2 Tour Challenge action, Team Kerri Einarson of Manitoba ran the table
and went a perfect 4-0 in round robin and then defeated Michelle Montford
(Hardline team), Jill Thurston, and Chantelle Eberle (skipped by Amber Holland)
in the playoffs to win the title! With
the victory, Einarson along with teammates Kristin MacCuish, Liz Fyfe, and
Selena Kaatz will play in the next GSOC event – The Masters – in Truro NS
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| Tier2 Champions - Team Kerri Einarson (Photo by Anil Mungal - GSOC) |
In other Tier 1 news, Team Kristy McDonald of
WEEK # 2 – GSOC MEN’S TOUR CHALLENGE
The Grand Slam of Curling season got underway with a brand
new event – The Tour Challenge – in Paradise NL. By all accounts, the event was a sellout
every draw and curling fans were treated to some great early season curling with
some tough frosty ice conditions and fog issues!
This event was a new format with a Tier 1 section that had
the top 15 men’s and women’s teams, and a Tier 2 section with invited teams
across the country, including 5 local men’s and women’s teams. The winners of the men’s and women’s Tier 2
event would be invited to the next GSOC event, which is the Masters in Truro NS
Hardline was well represented with no less than 13 teams
participating, including 9 teams playing the Tier 1 event.
The event marked the debut of Mike McEwen. It was the first time on the ice for this
year for the # 1 team in the world and the team that won 8 events last year. Team McEwen went 3-1 in the round robin and
qualified for playoffs!
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| Mike McEwen (Photo by Anil Mungal - GSOC) |
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| Matt Wozniak & Denni Neufeld share a laugh! (Photo by Anil Mungal - GSOC) |
Reid Carruthers had a great round robin at 4-0 and qualified
for playoffs.
John Shuster of the USA also qualified for playoffs at
2-2.
Hometown favorites Brad Gushue finished the round robin at
3-1 and also qualified for playoffs. So
4 of the 8 men’s playoff teams play Hardline and the icePad!
In quarter final action, a Hardline battle featured the 4-0
Carruthers team vs 2-2 Shuster. In a
close game, Shuster broke the game open with a 3 in the 6th end and
went on to win 6-4. Brad Gushue won a
close game over Glenn Howard 4-2, and Mike McEwen defeated Brad Jacobs
6-1. So for the 2nd week in a
row, 3 of the 4 semi finalists were icePad teams!
In one semi, John Shuster ran into a tough Kevin Koe and was
beaten 9-2. In the other semi, Brad Gushue
faced Mike McEwen in a tight battle.
Tied 3-3 after 6 ends, Brad Gushue scored an important deuce in 7 to go
ahead 5-3, and when McEwen couldn’t score his 2 in 8th, Gushue was
off to the finals to face Koe.
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| Team Gushue celebrate a win! (Photo by Anil Mungal - GSOC) |
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| Brad Gushue (Photo by Anil Mungal - GSOC) |
The hometown NFLD crowd was definitely behind Brad Gushue
the whole way, and the final game was a back and forth affair. It seemed every time Team Gushue would gain
an advantage in an end, Koe saved his team by making some great shots including
a beautiful draw to the button against 4, and a runback double in the 8th
end to hold Gushue to only one point and force the extra end. In the end, Koe had to draw to the 4 foot
against two Gushue counters, and won the game.
Monday, September 14, 2015
WEEK # 1 UPDATE - STU SELLS OAKVILLE TANKARD - GUSHUE WINS!
WEEK # 1 – STU SELLS OAKVILLE
TANKARD
The season got underway in Oakville ON
Several Hardline teams were there to begin their
season. On the men’s side: Reid
Carruthers, Steve Laycock, and Brad Gushue, who were both making their Hardline
debuts. On the women’s side: Silvana
Tirinzoni, Chelsea Carey, Allison Flaxey, Jacqueline Harrison, Caitlin Romain,
and Courtney George.
This event gave Hardline the opportunity to meet all our
teams, take some on ice action photos (see our Hardline Curling Equipment Facebook page), and wish them all a great curling
season! We also got to spend some social
time with Team Reid Carruthers, Team Caitlin Romain, and Team Doug Brewer,
Hardline supporters! Thanks for your
hospitality!
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| Out for dinner with Team Reid Carruthers |
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| Caitlin Romain and Kim Tuck enjoying dessert |
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| Enjoy the Blue Jays game with Team Doug Brewer |
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| A little birthday dinner with Team Caitlin Romain |
On the women’s side, Team Silvana Tirinzoni with new coach Gerry Adam qualified for playoffs, beating Anna Hasselborg in the quarterfinals, before losing the semi finals to eventual winners Rachel Homan.
On the men’s side, it was a great event for our teams. Carruthers, Laycock and Gushue all made the
playoffs and each won their quarterfinal games.
In one Hardline battle semi- final, Gushue defeated Laycock 8-6, while Carruthers
held off Jim Cotter by a score of 5-4 in an extra end.
This set up a Hardline battle final between
Gushue and Carruthers, which Gushue won by a 5-3 score. With the win, they joined a number of teams
that won their first event playing with the icePad!
Congratulations to all our teams!
NEW POWERRIB TECHNOLOGY
New for this year is our PowerRib technology which gives
sweepers added grip on our handles.
Apply more pressure without fear or losing your grip! Combined with the icePad, you’ll be sweeping
even faster than before. Mike McEwen said,
“@HardlineCurling 's #PowerRib grip
handles w/ tapering are unmatched for grip strength & control - and with
the icePad brush combo? #epic” We agree!
SPRING / SUMMER 2015 UPDATE
The new curling season is here, and we’ve been working hard
to get things ready! The word is
spreading about the icePad, and more and more teams are making the switch. Other companies have started to come out
with their own version, and others may follow also, but rest assured – the
icePad is still the fastest, most efficient curling brush on the planet.
Here at Hardline, we’re very appreciative of all the teams
that approach us to play with the icePad.
We like to call our teams and supporters “Hardline Nation” and we use
that hashtag on Twitter to indicate that our supporters are growing in numbers,
and that we feel a close bond with our teams.
We had a number of teams join our already impressive list
over the spring and summer, while others saw the major advantage of playing
with the icePad and opted to stay with Hardline through until the next Olympic
cycle of 2017/18.
We’re ecstatic to report that our relationship with our two
major teams – Mike McEwen and Reid Carruthers – is in place through 2017/18!
Other teams to join Hardline Nation over the spring and
summer (in no particular order):
Steve Laycock – SK
Chelsea Carey – AB
Peter De Cruz – Switzerland
Brock Virtue – AB
Kristy McDonald – MB
Kerri Einarson – MB
Michelle Montford – MB
Cathy Overton-Clapham – MB
Matt Dunstone – MB
Krista McCarville – NO
Caitlin Romain – ON
Jacqueline Harrison – ON
Aku Kauste – Finland
Courtney George – USA
Jamie Koe – NWT
Geri-Lynn Ramsay – AB
And many more…including one major team that just came on in
September. See the next blog post for
details!
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