CO-OP Tour Challenge Notebook See How the Playoff Picture is Forming
The CO-OP Tour Challenge continues to showcase thrilling curling action as teams vie for playoff spots. The preliminary rounds concluded with intense matches that set the stage for upcoming tiebreakers and quarterfinals this weekend in Nisku, Alberta.
Upcoming Tiebreakers and Quarterfinals
On Saturday, the tiebreakers for both men’s and women’s divisions will take place. Key matchups include:
- Team Brad Gushue vs. Team Mike McEwen
- Team Marc Muskatewitz vs. Team Kyle Waddell
- Team Momoha Tabata vs. Team Isabella Wranå
- Team Satsuki Fujisawa vs. Team Eun-ji Gim
Men’s Division Highlights
Team Brad Gushue, a 15-time Grand Slam champion, secured a tiebreaker spot after a decisive 9-5 victory over Team Matt Dunstone on Friday. Gushue’s performance in the seventh end, where he scored four points, was critical in this win.
Women’s Division Highlights
In the women’s competition, Team Anna Hasselborg achieved a tactical 6-5 victory against Team Kerri Einarson. Despite already securing a playoff position, Hasselborg’s strategy involved conceding a point to maintain the advantage of the hammer.
Meanwhile, Swiss Team Xenia Schwaller defeated Stefania Constantini 6-5, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Schwaller’s strategy saw her team recover from a shaky start to ultimately take control of the match.
Standings Overview
The standings were tight as teams finalized their positions.
| Rank | Team | Points | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Silvana Tirinzoni | 12 | 4-0 |
| 2 | Team Anna Hasselborg | 11 | 3-0 |
| 3 | Team Rachel Homan | 9 | 3-1 |
| 4 | Team Xenia Schwaller | 9 | 3-1 |
| 5 | Team Stefania Constantini | 9 | 3-1 |
What’s Next
As excitement builds, the women’s quarterfinals will commence at Noon MT (2 PM ET), followed by the men’s at 4 PM MT (6 PM ET). The semifinals are scheduled for 8 PM MT (10 PM ET). Fans can catch the live action on rockchannel.com and in Canada through Sportsnet One and Sportsnet+.
The CO-OP Tour Challenge continues to be a hallmark of competitive curling, with the playoff picture becoming clearer as teams battle for supremacy. Stay tuned for what promises to be high-stakes curling this weekend.
