Tuesday Ladies

Wow, a Hippie 5th wheel. Most likely no air conditioning. Perhaps you'll see this unit pull up this weekend at the BRCC Ladies Woodstock Spiel. There's bound to be lots of hippies there playing the Roaring Game this weekend. But they'll be doin it in a peace and love kind of way. They were getting all practiced up last night at the BRCC Ladies League.

Ice A: Hayley Horton vs Christie Hagger. TIE GAME. The Bantam Girls play some lights out curling and end up with a tie against a very tough team. I have to wonder what kind of hippies these young ladies would make. I'm not sure they could do without the technology. They win the "We'll Wear The Bellbottoms But We're Keepin' The Cell Phones" Award.

Ice B: Annie Austin vs Team Alloway. WIN for Austin. The Rez Girls break through and post a win after a 2 game losing streak. The Rez Girls are perfect hippies and they will be donning their hippie get ups this weekend. They win the "Where's My Tie Die" Award.

Ice C: Marg Tivy vs Shirley Lemieux. WIN for Tivy. The Iron Bridge Belles back on the winning side after a brief struggle. These ladies come to play, against hippies or otherwise. And you'll see them this weekend doing the peace and love thing, curling style. They win the "Sure, Peace And Love, But We're Playing 8 Ends!" Award.

Ice D: Beth Laderoute vs Joanna Hammond. WIN for Hammond. The Hammond rink post a big win against the red hot Laderoute rink. Take one look at the Hammond crew and you will know that it will not take much to put these ladies into Hippieville. Look at Natasha Hallet...she is as close to being a hippie at heart as you can get without actually living on a commune! She is all about this hippie thing and she has a real big heart that proves it. (Plus I saw her at a Men's Closing dance one time wearing sandals, and it was March!)

Ice B (Late): Anita Moran vs Liz Rouselle.  WIN for Moran. The Moran rink continue to be the team to beat. What an excellent run these ladies have had this season. I'm sure you'll see these ladies around this weekend in their hippie outfits. They win the "We'll Wear The Clothes But No Mud And Nakedness For Us" Award.

So that's how it all turned out this week at the Tuesday Ladies. A big win for the Bantam girls keeps them on the road to improvement. Good job girls.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Monday Mixed

Yes, scissors do beat paper every time but that's not how they will decide outcomes this coming weekend at the Blind River Ladies "Woodstock" Spiel. That makes it "Hippie Week" at the BRCC and what better way to kick it off than to have Winston Churchill displaying the universal peace sign. Could it be that Winston was the beginning of "hippiedom"? Well, he certainly didn't dress like it  but by the looks of this picture, he was feelin' hippie. And who knows, if Winston was around today, he might wear a headband and sandals and be skippin' the gluten! And there were a few peaceniks at the BRCC this Monday past as the Monday Mixed competed peacefully.....they played hard but no punches thrown. And that's the beauty of curling...I'm surprised not to see more hippies playing the Roaring Game.

 Ice A: Jerry Jensen vs Francois Lemieux. WIN for Lemieux. If there ever was a peacenik, it's Francois Lemieux. There is not a harmful bone in his body..he's all about helping his fellow man and keepin' the Stinkin' Thinkin' to a minimum. That's why he wins the Hippie Of The Century" Award.

 Ice B: Gator Fortin vs Sandy Milroy. WIN for Milroy. The Fortin crew fell short this week and had to accept second place. But here is another crew that would have no problem feelin' the Hippie thing.  That's why they will have problem accepting the "Red Bum" Award for this week. Sorry guys but next week is coming.

 Ice C: Brian West vs Dan McMillan. WIN for McMillan. The McMillan squad post a win after a brief hiatus in secondplaceville. Dan is a pretty laid back guy and he would make a decent hippie BUT, I think he would draw the line at bell bottoms and tie die shirts. He wins the "I'll Do The Peace Sign Buit I'm Not Goin' Around Without Underwear" Award.

 Ice D: Al Viel vs Michel Rivard. WIN for Viel. The Rivard crew would be excellent hippies. I mean look at Debbie Rivard. Does she not embrace the Peace, love and be good to your fellow man ideology? Put her in a pair of bell bottoms, give her a headband and a pair of sandals, have her holding her guitar, singin a Joan Baez ditty and flashin' a peace sign... she would fit right in! She wins the "Peace Man!" Award.  And seeing how Debbie spends her days at Unicorn Stationary, she certainly is aware that scissors beat paper!

 So that's how it played out for this Monday Mixed. As the BRCC Ladies Woodstock Spiel approaches, you can see that preparations are already underway for what will certainly be a Groovy weekend. Peace out!

 Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Thursday Mens

I chew alot of gum while playing curling. After looking at this pictures, I may curb that habit a bit. And there were some that were chewing gum last Thursday in the Mens League but I did not see any bubbles. I did see some good curling all the same.

Ice C (Monday)  Be n Lemieux vs Ryan Hagger.  Win for Lemieux. The Robb Road Express continue their move up the the leader board and are playing some great curling. They win the "Still Wallowing In The Glory" Award.

Ice C (Tuesday): Dave Mitchell vs Dan Berthelot. WIN for Mitchell. The Mitchell squad continue to have an incredible season. They win the "Keepin' Ourselves Glued Together" Award.

Ice D: Brian West vs Rick Rouselle.  WIN for Rouselle. The Posties are still hovering near the top of the leader board. As the season rolls on, there seems no doubt that this will be one of the teams to beat in the playoffs. They win the "Lookin' For Glory" Award.....and it is quite possible that they may find it!

Ice B (Thursday): Bob Villeneuve vs Brian Tonelli. WIN for Villeneuve. Looks like my pre-Christmas prediction may be correct. The Villeneuve crew have started to string some wins together and are making their move on the leader board. They win the "Shakin' That Monkey Off Our Back" Award. Watch these guys, I think they are making their move.

Ice C: Michel Rivard vs Glen Austin. WIN for Austin. The Thursday Newfie Bullet has also had a solid season thus far and are looking to try to remain near the top of the leader board. We win the "Not Lookin' For A Monkey On Our Back" Award.

Ice D: Keith Rouselle vs Chris Zagar. WIN for Rouselle. The Molson Exers continue their quest to move up the leader board. You have to be impressed with the way these guys just quietly go about playing their game and trying to manufacture the win. They win the "Successful Incorporation Of Beer And Curling" Award. That means that they also win the "Most Time Spent At The Beer Table By The Door" Award.

Ice A (Late): Chris Astles vs Jim Kendricks.  NO INTEL

Ice B: Mike Laderoute vs John Hammond. WIN for Laderoute. The Laderoute squad is back and stringing some wins together. Mike's stick is heatin' up and he can shoot with the best of them with that stick. The Laderoute crew win the "Stick 'n' Scotch...Great Combo" Award.

Ice C: Craig Roberts vs Rick Berthelot. WIN for Berthelot. The more I watch Rick Berthelot play curling, the more impressed I am with the way he has changed everything about his curling style to stay in the game. First he went from being a "Tuck Deliverer" to a flat foot slide. Huge adjustment that he made well. Then, he went from curling right-handed to curling left-handed. And he curls left-handed very well! Rick wins the "Climb Any Mountain" Award. I fully expect this squad to get on a roll and top the leader board.

Ice D: Francois Lemieux vs Jeff Mitchell. WIN for Lemieux. The Lemieux crew have won some and lost some but I am guessing they have won the majority of their games. They may not be the strongest team out there but they do have an edge that gives them success. This squad is the real deal...they would like to win the game but hey if they don't, big deal! T^hat's why they win the "Stress-Free Curlers" Award.

So that's how it played out for this second Thursday back in the second half. This should get interesting as the season wears on and we get closer to the playoffs. Lots of time yet for teams to make their move and it looks like there are some teams that have already begun that process.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Wednesday Open 8 Ender

I know what you're thinking. What is Wayne Berthelot doing hanging around with these U S Curling fans? And who gave him the dew rag? Well, that's not him. Wayne is a Canadian curling fan and I'm sure his dew rag (if one exists) would have a maple leaf on it. Wayne curls in the Thursday Mens with Team Valiquette, a veteran team around the BRCC.

There were other veteran teams out this past Wednesday in the Open 8 Ender.

Ice A: Glen Austin vs Vola Roberts. WIN for Austin. The Roberts crew took a bit of a slip and a slide and ended up in second place in this match up. However, the lead on Team Roberts, Martin Aube, played an excellent game and made an awful lot of shots. He was making draws and take outs with equal enthusiasm. It was quite impressive to see the improvement in Martin. Real solid performance. He wins the "Shooting Star" Award.

Ice B: Hayley Horton vs Tom St Jules. TIE GAME. The Bantam girls put on another excellent display of curling and keep Big Daddy and his crew chasing them for the whole game. The Horton squad wins the "Feel The Horton Heat" Award. Great job ladies.

Ice D: Ryan Hagger vs Al Viel. TIE GAME. This was another good game with lots of rocks in play. Nice to see John Topash on the mend and back to sliding. He wins the "Stretchin' It Out" Award.

So, just 3 out of 4 games played this Wednesday. I expect all the sheets will be full next week. A word about the ice. It's great. There's curl and the speed is good. Thanks alot to the ice guys who have been trying different things to make it work and their efforts are paying off (and appreciated). I played a game on Ice A last night and the speed was great and the curl was exceptional. I was seeing in some paths 4 - 4.5 feet of curl. Awesome! And don't forget, this is on an outside sheet in a half a sewer pipe. These guys deserve KUDOs for a great job and great effort. Thanks alot guys.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Tuesday Ladies

Germany's Andy Kapp displays fine form in this On Ice Pilate's. Notice the fine, "in the air" back leg extension. Most likely not to be considered the best curling form but he sure got this Pilate's thing down pat! But there was some fine curling form last Tuesdays, and fine forms curling as well as the BRCC Belles took to the ice in the Tuesday Ladies.

Ice A: Paula Summers vs Shirley Lemieux. WIN for Summers. Big win for the Summers crew. Despite a tough first half, they are looking to pull it together for the second half and move up the leader board. These ladies win the "Got Our Knickers Pulled Up!" Award. Good work, keep it going ladies!

Ice B: Christie Hagger vs Marg Tivy. WIN for Hagger. Another big win as the Hagger crew knocks off the veteran Iron Bridge Belles. The Belles have hit a bit of a slump but this is definitely a temporary thing for this tough squad. They win the "Pausing For Station Identification" Award.

Ice C: Annie Austin vs Myra Kiernan. WIN for Kiernan. The Rez Girls got their curling bells rung by the very solid 'Emerald Isle" crew. Myra and her squad win the "Showin' Em The Rocky Road To Dublin" Award. Oh, and by the way, "Red Bum" Award for my beloved Rez Girls. (I feel your pain.)

Ice D: Team Alloway vs Beth Laderoute. WIN for Laderoute. The Laderoute squad have had a really good season and are on a roll. With the way these ladies are playing, they are carving their way towards the top of the leader board. They win the "Cosmic Alignment" Award.

Ice A (Late): Christine Scholburg vs Anita Moran. WIN for Scholburg. Wow, this Scholburg team is awesome. This new squad has the right chemistry and has made quite a splash in the league this year. They win the "Rising Stars" Awards. Look for this team to be in the mix at the top of the leaderboard when the dust settles.

Ice B: Joanna Hammond vs Hayley Horton. WIN for Horton. The Bantam girls line em up and knock em down in this well played match. These girls are still focused and looking to keep improving. They win the "Stellar Attitude" Award. Great job by these young ladies.

So that's how it played out for this round of play in the Tuesday Ladies. This ladies league is a great league and is very strong. Our BRCC Belles should be applauded because their involvement is a significant part of the success of our club. Thanks alot Ladies!

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Monday Mixed

I know what you're thinking. When did Yvon Valiquette have a shave and play in the World Curling Championship? Well, that's not him, that's Tom Brewster from Team Scotland. Yvon plays in the Thursday Mens League but I am sure he would like to get to a World Championship. For now, however, he will have to settle for Thursday nights at the BRCC. And if he wants to hone his curling skills further, he could join the Monday Mixed and curl 2 nights a week instead of one. The Monday Mixed is an excellent league and everyone has a good time, just like this past Monday.

Ice A:  Bob Villeneuve vs Francois Lemieux. WIN for Lemieux. The Lemieux squad win their fair share of games in the Monday Mixed League. They have found a good balance between veteran curlers and new curlers and the chemistry has produced good results. They win the "Successful Titration" Award.

Ice B: Jerry Jensen vs Al Viel. This was a "TWIN"...Tie - Win (for Jensen). Apparently this was a tie and then they decided to play one more end and the Jensen crew pulled it out. The Viel crew wins the "Shoulda' Quit While We Were Ahead" Award.

Ice C: Sandy Milroy vs Glen Austin. WIN for Milroy. The Milroy rink continues to be one of the top teams in this league thus far this season. They have won the vast majority of their games so they win the "Who Is Going To Knock US Off The Hill?" Award.

Ice D: Gator Fortin vs Dan McMillan. WIN for McMillan. The Fortin rink has had an up and down season. They win a few and lose a few but ALWAYS have a good time regardless. They win the "Nevermind The Scoreboard, It Interferes With The Game" Award. Great bunch of people, this team!

So that's hot it played out for this Monday Mixed. Just another good evening for those people involved. Want a good night out with your significant other...or just looking for another night to curl, get involved with the Mixed League. Great people, great games!

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Thursday Mens

Now what you have here is the future of our sport. These fine young men are Kale Goudreau, Stephen Berthelot, Dawson Kluding and Jacob May. They had a great weekend of curling and while they will not be going to the Bantam Provincials this year, they made quite a splash at the Regional Playdowns and won the hearts of the fans. I'm hoping they will stay together as a team and play more curling next season. Perhaps join a league and play some regular games. Curling food for thought.

So they were back at it for the second half of the season for the Thursday mens League. Turns out that it was the Michell rink in first place at the break...ahead by 1 point. These are the current club champions and they are having an excellent season thus far. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain this winning streak.

Ice C (Tuesday): Keith Rouselle vs Rick Berthelot. WIN for Rouselle. The Molson Exers are back posting a win for their first night in the second half. The Exers are a solid team and have the potential to get to the top of the leaderboard. They win the "Gittin' A Prescription For 'Curl-Agra" Award.

Ice D: Glen Austin vs Dan Berthelot. WIN for Austin. The Thursday Newfie Bullet posts a win to start the second half. We are right on the heels of the Mitchell crew (1 point behind). We win the "Just Waitin' For The Stumble" Award.

Ice A (Thursday): Dave Mitchell vs Craig Roberts. WIN for Mitchell. The Mitchell team, as stated previous is the current top dog in the league going into the break. They win the "Lonely At The Top" Award.

Ice B: Al Viel vs Jim Kendrick. WIN for Viel. The Kendrick rink has had a win some / lose some kind of season but they have the potential to work their way to the top of the leaderboard. They win the "Flyin' Under The Radar" award.

Ice C: Francois Lemieux vs Rick Rouselle. WIN for Lemieux. The Posties are also on the heels of the Mitchell rink and have had an incredible season thus far. They will need to keep it together for a while longer if they want to capture top spot. They win the "Lookin' For Some Glue" Award.

Ice A (Late):  Ben Lemieux vs Brian Tonelli. WIN for Lemieux . The Robb Road Express continues to have a good run. They too hover near the top of the leaderboard and this veteran team seems hell-bent on capturing the Club Championship. They win the "Lookin' To Be King" Award.

Ice B: Yvon Valiquette vs Mike Laderoute. WIN for Valiquette. After a slow start, the Valiquette crew is poised for a strong finish. They win the "We Were Just Kidding In The First Half" Award.

Ice C: Chris Zagar vs Jeff Mitchell. WIN for Mitchell. The Mitchell crew was like a bullet out of the starting gate this season but along the way, ran into some turbulence but it is looking like they are back and ready to post some wins. They win the "Lookin' To Recapture The Glory" Award.

Ice D: Bob Villeneuve vs John Hammond. WIN for Villeneuve. The Villeneuve rink had a sluggish start to the season but it looks like all that is behind them now and they are moving forward. They win the "To Infinity And Beyond" Award.

So that is how it played out on this Thursday Mens and I must say, it feels good to be caught up again.

In other news, did you catch any of the continental Cup of Curling? BRCC pal Dean Gemmell was playing in it and he showed the curling world that he could pound a rock with the best of them. It was good to see Dean participating in this event and hopefully he will make it back to the US Nationals and eventually the World Championships. Undoubtedly, this team works hard and they will have earned it.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Wednesday Open 8 Ender

Perhaps this guy drank alot of coffee and feels he can put this fire out without using conventional methods. He better get his job over with soon or he will be feeling this house's heat. Just like other teams were feeling the "Blind River Heat" just this past weekend at the BRCC Bantams playdowns. Both BRCC teams had a good showing and certainly displayed some heat during several ends of play. And they sure displayed what sportsmanship is all about. Both teams were excellent sportsmen and regardless of anything else, that is the essence of competition. I think both these teams are big winners because of this and similarly, the BRCC is a winner for having them associated with our cool little club.

And they also display lots of good sportsmanship at the Wednesday Open 8 Ender. They all get out there, play as best as they can and have a good time while they are doing it. That's how it is at the BRCC.

Ice A: Vola Roberts vs Warren Neufeld. Win for Neufeld. Although posting a couple losses in the first half, the Neufeld Factor is still a real tough crew to beat. If they can't knock you down on the ice, they will kill you with kindness. They win the "Congenial Curlers" Award.

Ice C: Hayley Horton vs Al Viel. WIN for Viel. The Viel crew are a touch team at all times. This result was  not surprising but the big plus is that Al took the time to provide a little insight for the Bantam Girls just adding to their grip on the "Roaring Game." Al wins the "Benevolent Curler" Award.

Ice D: Andrew Roberts vs  Tom St Jules.  WIN for St Jules.  Big Daddy and his squad pull out another victory. Big Daddy is a dedicated curler. He is a Curling Chronic in his own right and enjoys playing the game as much as anybody. And you can see his focus when you are playing against him. He wins the "Loyal Curler" Award.

So there it is for the first week of the Wednesday Open 8 Ender. This really is a good league. I am hoping we can fill up the second draw and really make this league rock.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Tuesday Ladies

I cannot help but notice how many I pads are out there since Christmas. Seems like everyone has one. Sometimes I think all this technology is not such a good thing. People are getting sedentary when they should be getting out there and doing things. Just like at the BRCC, where on Tuesdays you will find the BRCC Belles playing a game of curling and enjoying themselves. And that's how it should be.

Ice A: Anita Moran vs Christie Hagger. WIN for Moran. The Moran rink continues to be right up there in the standings. They start off the second half with a win. They win the "Just Carryin' On" Award.

Ice C: Paula Summers vs Myra Kiernan. WIN for Kiernan. This Kiernan rink has been a force to be reckoned with all season long and continue to show em how it's done. They win the "Dealin' Out Curling Educations" Award....they also deal out Red Bum Awards too from time to time.

Ice D: Hayley Horton vs Liz Rouselle. WIN for Rouselle. The Bantam girls continue to see this season as an experience builder. And that is exactly what it is. They will all the more stronger next season. They win the "Gainin' Experience As We Go" Award.

Ice B (Late): Beth Laderoute vs Annie Austin. WIN for Laderoute. My beloved Rez Girls need to find their Mojo and perhaps that will get them on track for the second half. They win the "Lookin' For A Cup Of Focus" Award.

Ice C: Makayla Alloway vs Christine Scholburg. WIN for Alloway. The Alloway crew have lots of experience and can play with the best of them. They have the ability to beat the best of them and have done this in the past. They win the "We Can Bring It" Award.

So that's how the Ladies kicked off the second half of their season. The Ladies League is an excellent league. Lots of teams and certainly lots of good games. And if you don't believe me, drop by some Tuesday evening and see for yourself. These ladies know how to enjoy themselves.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Monday Mixed

Yes, important tip for all you people who like to have snow falling on your tongue. Look up first! That's what they do at the BRCC. They look up first and decide when to sweep. That's what they were doing at the second half of the season opener on Monday night (Past). Yes, this blog is way late but catching up is always hard to do.

Ice A: Sandy Milroy vs Brian West. WIN for Milroy. The Milroy rink continues to be a tough crew to get by. They make alot of shots and certainly inspire the need for opponents to bring their "A" game. They win the "Still Rockin' Em" Award.

Ice B: Francois Lemieux vs Michel Rivard. WIN for Lemieux. The Lemieux rink wins a few and loses a few but always have a good game. They win the "Never Count Us Out" Award.

Ice C: Gator Fortin vs Al Viel. WIN for Fortin. The Fortin rink, when they win, always seem to win big or they don't win at all. They win the "No Grey Area Here" Award.

Ice D: Bob Villeneuve vs Jerry Jensen. WIN for Villeneuve. The Villeneuve rink had an up and down first half but are right on track at this, the beginning of the second half. They win the "Somebody Woke Up The Sleeping Giant" Award.

Ice B (Late)  Glen Austin vs Dan McMillan. Win for Austin. The Monday Newfie Bullet came into this match seeking redemption for the beating they took at the hands of this McMillan rink in the first half. We win the "Payback Is Sweet" Award.

So that's how the second half of the BRCC curling season kicked off. The club will be rocking in this second half with the Ladies Spiel coming up Jan 25 and the Mixed in February (22nd). And don't forget the Mens Closing which is the premiere event that always has the season close with a bang!

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic