Six random factoids about Scotties

Six random factoids about Scotties

Here are six random thoughts about the Scotties Tournament of Hearts tournament after Day 1 is now in the books.

One: No tweeting

The Canadian Curling Association came down on a handful of alternate players for tweeting during games yesterday.

I am of two minds about this. The Twitter revolution has now hit curling and it's pretty fun to engage and talk with players and hear their thoughts beyond the same old, same old, “we're just taking it one shot at a time.” Twitter gives new insights and makes the players less like robots and more like humans. It was interesting to hear what the fifths had to say.

Saying that, I know where CCA is coming from. They don't want participants to be linked to the outside world, as it may give a team an unfair advantage.

With media and others picking up the slack during games, the curling Twitter revolution will continue without the players, who can chime in before and after their games.

Two: Star siblings

NHL goalie Braden Holtby is the brother of Saskatchewan second Taryn Holtby. Braden Holtby carried the Washington Capitals on his back in the playoffs last year.

Three: Colleen Jones being Colleen Jones

Nova Scotia's Colleen Jones first Scotties appearance was in 1979, a span of 34 years, or before 58 percent of the field was born.

Another thing, Mary-Anne Arsenault is the skip, but make no mistake, Jones is the leader of this team.

Also Jones is still her usual colourful self. She dropped an F-bomb on live TV on Saturday night, then quickly caught herself and said shoot. Classic Colleen Jones.

Four: Parlez-vous anglais?

Allisson Ross speaks English. The Quebec skip is anglophone and is formerly from Ontario where she made one previous Scotties appearance as a lead. She also won a Ontario junior women's title as a lead.

Five: Oh Baby

Saskatchewan third Kara Johnston is pregnant. Not a little pregnant, but a lot pregnant—seven months. Some kid will have a great show and tell story in about six years. Or, better yet, imagine if that kid makes it to the Brier or Scotties in 25 years or so.

Six: Ice

Hearing a few curlers saying it's taking some time to adjust to ice. Which is kind of strange because arena ice is usually very predictable.

Be interesting to see if it's just a Day 1 phenomenon or if it remains a factor going forward.

Ice-makers are so good nowadays, I'm sure they'll get a handle on it.