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03-26-15 09:38AM |
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jhcurl
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431 |
2015 Men's Worlds
This could be a very interesting year for Team USA. No major time zone or cultural changes.
Top 3 - Canada, Norway, Sweden - proven teams and always in the mix.
Middle of the pack - Russia, Finland, Scotland, Japan, Swiss, US, Czech Republic, China. Yes a large group that will contend for that 4th playoff spot or create massive tiebreakers.
Italy (sorry) is the only team I see that will struggle.
US has Can, Nor, Sui right off the bat. A 2-1 start is not out of the question, even 1-2 would not be a disaster.
Then Fin, Ita, Sco, Chn all winnable and would put Team Shuster right in the hunt.
Finish with Swe, Jpn, Cze, Rus. Will probably need two wins from here. Czech Republic always gets better toward the end so I see that one as the BIG game.
So predicting a 7-4 finish and a spot in the playoffs. Possibly even better if they get a hot start.
GO USA
edited to add: It would be nice to keep this thread positive and HPP-free
JHcurl
Not Tuck so probably completely wrong
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03-26-15 11:30AM |
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IMWright
Swing Artist
Registered: Dec 2014
Location:
Posts: 206 |
No comment on HPP with me, they weren't in the program. They earned their spot, despite the hoops non-HPP teams were given.
I hope they do well. I hope the right Shuster shows up; that will be the deciding factor. Saw him play at the Continental Cup two years ago, and he played pretty well (month later at the Olympics was a different story). So if the right Shuster/team shows up, they have a shot of hitting the medal round.
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03-26-15 10:17PM |
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dbsdbs
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2013
Location:
Posts: 812 |
Re: 2015 Men's Worlds
quote: Originally posted by jhcurl
Edited to add: It would be nice to keep this thread positive and HPP-free
Go USA!
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03-27-15 01:37AM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
I really liked our Junior Girls for a medal. I like our Men's even more...mostly because of the field and also Shoostie's record vs these Euros and some of the others.
Canada sends a team that really only played 4 events this year and not all that well. They did well when it counted in the Brier, but by Canadian standards...they are a vulnerable favorite. Face has a win over them this year.
Face has a good record over Edin and pretty good over Ulsrud. Asia isn't as strong as recent years and Scotland sends a team that is not highly ranked (though highly respected). The field looks vulnerable.
I am an unabashed USA cheerleader. I seemingly always like our chances. I seemingly always say that we have a shot at the medal stand. In this case, I should phrase my thoughts hidden in some phrase like "might be best chance for gold since Summerville"...but I wont. I'll be honest and blunt.
I predict gold for the USA.
Sweden silver...Canada bronze and Scotland fourth.
Go ahead. Fire away. Gimme your best shot.
Ben Tucker
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03-27-15 09:33AM |
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Curlrock
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Feb 2011
Location:
Posts: 96 |
A little known fact, but Tuck played basketball at West Virginia? You gotta love the confidence though.
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03-27-15 10:56AM |
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bjacks217
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Aug 2013
Location: Michigan, United States
Posts: 22 |
Good luck to John (Shuster), Tyler, Matt, and John (Landsteiner). I am excited to see them succeed at this competition. They have every opportunity to do well.
I wish Trevor would be experiencing Mens Worlds. He helped earn the OOM points that got Team Shuster to the position they were in for Nationals, and I think the exposure to the world event would help his future development.
And when can we get some decent looking uniforms for these guys?
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03-27-15 02:01PM |
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misty1
Supreme Champion!
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 6002 |
i dont know tuck, a medal is possible but gold is a stretch.
i will say that of the big 3 norway is the most vulnerable to miss playoffs.
i predict bronze for the US
im not sure who the 4th team in playoffs will be . i know my 3 are sweden, canada and US. you could make cases for a lot of teams after that.
japan, china, scotland. if they manage tbeir losses early the czech republic could get in. and i think a loy of people are interested in seeing what italy does after their great run in europeans.
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03-27-15 03:02PM |
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Phil_D
Drawmaster
Registered: May 2014
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 629 |
I think the playoffs will be Canada, Norway, Sweden, USA.
Obviously Canada is fired up after their great Brier run, and they're on home ice. Not much more can be said about them that hasn't already been said.
I don't think Norway will be hurt by their reduced schedule this year. Besides their talent and experience, they've also been playing together as a team for 8 years. If they start out strong I think they'll start rolling and be tough to beat.
Sweden had a rocky start to the season, but they really seem to be clicking now. Plus they've been in Canada for weeks now, and did great at the Elite 10.
I think Shuster has an excellent chance of bringing home a medal for USA. He's no stranger to the pressure at this level, and he's coming off a strong season with something to prove.
Honestly I can't predict who will finish where. I'm really hoping Shuster can bring some hardware back home though.
__________________
Recreational curler & resident armchair curler at Windy City Curling Club.
Co-host of the NerdCurl podcast & occasional blogger.
http://www.nerdcurl.com
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03-27-15 04:06PM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
I, too, wish Trevor was at Worlds. He seemed nothing but supportive at Nationals in Kalamazoo. While I hate messing with the lineup, even I have to concede that a highly qualified fifth at Worlds is necessary to guard against illness. So while I'd like to see Trevor, I do appreciate that we have Craig Brown there.
Ben Tucker
Last edited by tuck on 03-27-15 at 05:55PM
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03-27-15 06:12PM |
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SPMFromPCC
Swing Artist
Registered: Jun 2007
Location:
Posts: 440 |
Trevor is in Halifax as team manager, or team leader, or something to that effect. Whoever that person is that minds all the details aside from curling so the team can focus on just curling.
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03-27-15 07:38PM |
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AlanMacNeill
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Posts: 1064 |
I'm mildly bummed...
I'm in vegas this week on vacation and mood adjustment...so I wandered down to the sports book thinking maybe I could put a buck or two on Shuster.
You can put money on the fickin *cricket* world cup (aus over nz btw...) but you can't get a prop bet on curling.
So...next best thing...50 quatloos on Shuster to grab a medal.
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03-27-15 08:02PM |
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Mr. Jordan
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Feb 2011
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 39 |
I like Sweden to win gold. I think they're playing fantastic curling now, and would have just won two titles on tour in Canada had it not been for them running into the best team in the world Mike McEwen.
Canada and Norway are my picks for silver and bronze. I don't think the part time schedule will prove to be any sort of detriment to either team. Canada's got one of the best "team player" front ends, have sorted out their back end, and have a coach that knows how to manage personalities. I think I'm going to feel silly when they do win gold and prove my prediction wrong. And I'll believe that Norway is weak when I see it--I'll pencil them right into the top three in this field.
So, I can't see Shuster winning a medal... BUT I would certainly agree that if there is a year where he can break through, it's this year. We're dodging bullets with these Swiss and Scottish teams, and who knows about China? The rest of the Euros are all beatable, but I like this Japan rink this year, Morozumi has been doing a bit of traveling and has had a solid year home and away.
I'm happy with the way Shuster and his new team are playing, I think we all know what an asset Tyler George can be, and I have a good feeling this team will make life difficult for a lot of skips in this field. My head says 6-5 and they miss out, but my heart says 7-4 and they grab that last playoff spot. If this team can win one against either Canada or Norway to open this tournament, then we really can start dreaming (especially with winnable games following those).
__________________
"'cause curlers are a rowdy bunch; they're boozers and carousers,
See them hanging out in matching sweaters, throwing rocks at houses,
They're afraid of linoleum, afraid of being chased
Around the kitchen with their socks on by a pack of timberwolves." --Dik Van Dykes
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03-28-15 11:30AM |
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biterbar
Drawmaster
Registered: Mar 2009
Location:
Posts: 695 |
Nice pick for gold Tuck. I love your optimism and I like Shuster's team a lot.
So, let's say Tuck's prediction comes true and the USA wins gold. What does that say for our HP program? Do they take credit for turning down the best curler in the USA and forcing him to do it on his own? Do they welcome Face and Tyler back into their ranks with open arms? Would they join the HP?
A medal of any color SHOULD make the USCA look at their HP program very closely and make some changes. The disappointing results from the women's team in the Nationals and the worlds should have already forced those changes.
Personally I thought the number 1 HP team should have included Craig Brown and Shuster as the back end together. They are our best players and believe a formidable team together. Obviously Tyler is there with those two and I hope that this team plays to their potential in Nova Scotia.
It will be fun to follow this along and I will be cheering this team the whole way.
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03-28-15 12:46PM |
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Gerry
CZ Founder
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 4002 |
quote: Originally posted by SPMFromPCC
Trevor is in Halifax as team manager, or team leader, or something to that effect. Whoever that person is that minds all the details aside from curling so the team can focus on just curling.
Trevor will also be posting a semi-regular blog through CurlingZone as well. Looking forward to hearing his thoughts on the Worlds.
__________________
CurlingZone
Everything...Curling!
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03-28-15 03:13PM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
Oh, biterbar biterbar biter bar...JHcurl asked nicely to refrain from HPP points and questions. It's not that you questions are negative...just the answers will be. Try to behave...for once.
Ben Tucker
I once saw biterbar cry
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03-28-15 03:36PM |
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biterbar
Drawmaster
Registered: Mar 2009
Location:
Posts: 695 |
Oops. Sorry JHCurl, won't happen again.
Tuck, there is no crying in curling!
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03-28-15 03:44PM |
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rtcurl
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Apr 2013
Location:
Posts: 21 |
quote: Originally posted by AlanMacNeill
I'm mildly bummed...
I'm in vegas this week on vacation and mood adjustment...so I wandered down to the sports book thinking maybe I could put a buck or two on Shuster.
You can put money on the fickin *cricket* world cup (aus over nz btw...) but you can't get a prop bet on curling.
So...next best thing...50 quatloos on Shuster to grab a medal.
Alan,
Maybe Vegas someday...
Sports Interaction (online book) had this bet all last week. +100 wager to win it all
CAN +140
SWE +210
NOR +220
SUI +1000
SCO +1000
CHN +1000
JAP +2500
CZE +2500
RUS +2500
ITA +4000
USA +4000
FIN +4000
Tonight's game has
USA +503, CAN -1122
They don't accept USA customers Too bad, I used to have an account with them but closed it. I would jump all over that +503 tonight.
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03-28-15 04:48PM |
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Mr. Jordan
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Feb 2011
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 39 |
quote: Originally posted by rtcurl
Alan,
Maybe Vegas someday...
Sports Interaction (online book) had this bet all last week. +100 wager to win it all
CAN +140
SWE +210
NOR +220
SUI +1000
SCO +1000
CHN +1000
JAP +2500
CZE +2500
RUS +2500
ITA +4000
USA +4000
FIN +4000
Tonight's game has
USA +503, CAN -1122
They don't accept USA customers Too bad, I used to have an account with them but closed it. I would jump all over that +503 tonight.
Yeah, those odds are worth a little action. I think Canada is a much more talented team, but I'd expect USA to be able to win at least 1 out of 6 meetings vs Canada on both teams' first draw on new ice.
__________________
"'cause curlers are a rowdy bunch; they're boozers and carousers,
See them hanging out in matching sweaters, throwing rocks at houses,
They're afraid of linoleum, afraid of being chased
Around the kitchen with their socks on by a pack of timberwolves." --Dik Van Dykes
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03-28-15 05:27PM |
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murphyj87
Swing Artist
Registered: Jan 2007
Location: Dartmouth, NS
Posts: 207 |
Re: 2015 Men's Worlds
quote: Originally posted by jhcurl
This could be a very interesting year for Team USA. No major time zone or cultural changes.
Top 3 - Canada, Norway, Sweden - proven teams and always in the mix.
Middle of the pack - Russia, Finland, Scotland, Japan, Swiss, US, Czech Republic, China. Yes a large group that will contend for that 4th playoff spot or create massive tiebreakers.
Italy (sorry) is the only team I see that will struggle.
Meanwhile in the real world, Italy beat Scotland in the first draw, Japan beat Russia,and Sweden/Finland went down to the last rock, with Sweden needing to score 2 in 10 to win.
It would surprise me if the US did any better than 1-5 in their first 6 games.
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03-28-15 07:55PM |
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Jimbobogie
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2014
Location:
Posts: 538 |
The unis may be bad but Mr. Shuster has come to play. After 4 ends it's U.S.7 (a 3 and a 4 ender), Canada 4 (a single and a 3). Defense is out the window.
__________________
Jim
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03-28-15 07:57PM |
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IN-OFF-FOR-2
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Mar 2013
Location:
Posts: 1875 |
credit where credit is due
What a fantastic shot for 4.
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03-28-15 08:53PM |
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dbsdbs
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2013
Location:
Posts: 812 |
Not exactly an artistic success so far but making some big shots at the right time.
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