As the curling community turns its attention to the Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax, the men’s round-robin stage is at its midpoint. This event features a new format, offering only three playoff spots, which means every match counts.
Mid-Event Standings at the Canadian Curling Trials
The top-performing teams are vying for advancement to the playoffs, which will ultimately lead to a best-of-three final. Ties will be broken based on head-to-head records and the cumulative Last Stone Draw (LSD) rankings.
1. Matt Dunstone: The Leading Team
- Record: 4 wins, 0 losses
- Location: Winnipeg
- Notable Performance: Victory against Brad Gushue in an extra end
- Key Stats: Top efficiency with 53% hammer success, Colton Lott and Ryan Harnden perform at 93% and 96% respectively.
- Remaining Matches: Kevin Koe, Brad Jacobs, Mike McEwen
Matt Dunstone’s crew has dominated the competition, building momentum with decisive victories. Their performance against Olympic champion Gushue solidified their strong position for a playoff berth.
2. Brad Gushue: Strong Contender
- Record: 3 wins, 1 loss
- Location: St. John’s, N.L.
- Notable Performance: Victories against strong opponents before losing to Dunstone
- Key Stats: Top-ranked skip at 91% efficiency; has yet to allow a steal.
- Remaining Matches: Jordan McDonald, Mike McEwen, Brad Jacobs
Despite a slow start, Gushue’s team has rallied, showcasing strong crowd support and consistent performances. Their current standing puts them in a good position as they approach the final matches.
3. Brad Jacobs: Recovering After an Opening Loss
- Record: 3 wins, 1 loss
- Location: Calgary
- Notable Performance: Recovering from an early loss to Kevin Koe
- Remaining Matches: John Epping, Matt Dunstone, Brad Gushue
Brad Jacobs is looking to capitalize on recent victories after a rocky start in this event. His team’s experience may be crucial as they aim for a playoff spot.
4. Kevin Koe: In a Tight Spot
- Record: 2 wins, 2 losses
- Key Stats: Low LSD ranking of 58.48
- Remaining Matches: Matt Dunstone, John Epping, Rylan Kleiter
Though Koe’s team surprised many with an opening win, their performance has since fluctuated, creating pressure as they approach the playoffs.
5. Mike McEwen: Seeking Solid Results
- Record: 2 wins, 2 losses
- Key Stats: Second in LSD standings with 11.85
- Remaining Matches: Rylan Kleiter, Brad Gushue, Matt Dunstone
McEwen’s squad might still have a shot at playoff contention, particularly with a strong LSD ranking. Their upcoming matches will be challenging but crucial.
6. John Epping: In Need of Wins
- Record: 1 win, 3 losses
- Location: Sudbury, Ont.
- Remaining Matches: Brad Jacobs, Kevin Koe, Jordan McDonald
Epping’s team has struggled through the early rounds but remains hopeful for playoff consideration with three consecutive victories needed.
7. Rylan Kleiter: Experienced Challenges
- Record: 1 win, 3 losses
- Location: Saskatoon
- Remaining Matches: Mike McEwen, Jordan McDonald, Kevin Koe
Despite facing tough opponents, Kleiter’s team is looking to improve in their final matches, demonstrating resilience throughout the week.
8. Jordan McDonald: Gaining Experience
- Record: 0 wins, 4 losses
- Location: Winnipeg
- Key Stats: Strong performance despite losses; average age of 23
- Remaining Matches: Brad Gushue, Rylan Kleiter, John Epping
As the youngest team, McDonald’s rink is gaining valuable experience. Although winless, they showed competitive spirit against tough rivals.
With only a few matches left in the round-robin, the competition is heating up. Each team will need to perform at their best to secure a spot in the playoffs at the Canadian Curling Trials.
