• Win (Skip)
• Sheet 1 (N)
• Blue Rocks

Yep, blue rocks are the way to go.

You kind of have an advantage playing on a sheet that you've just played on recently, since in theory you know its tendencies. But on the weekend, this sheet was fucked. And tonight it was much better, but it took me a few ends to stop overcompensating for perceived fucked-ness.

I almost single-handedly lost this game by my poor shotmaking in the first four ends. First end, last shot, wide open hit for 5, even if I lose my shooter it's still for four, and I miss it entirely, so we only score one. Opportunity cost math makes that a -4 swing from missing the shot, even though we still scored. And it was never quite so dramatic in a single shot, I probably added another -4 over the next three ends.

But, the team was playing well so after those four ends the score was 4-3 against us. In that end, I finally made a clutch shot to capitalize on our advantages. Sitting one, but if I could make a heavy draw (say back line weight) at just the right line, I could curl around some traffic enough to tap their rock out of the rings and end up scoring five. Even still, I just barely made the shot thanks to my sweepers absolutely pounding the rock end-to-end, and I still can't quite believe we didn't wreck on the guard. Classic team shot, and to the extent that it was technically successful, it could have been a lot less nerve-wracking if I'd taken more ice to begin with.

I'm glad that we turned it around. My least favourite part of skipping is when the team is counting on you and you mess up. I don't really care so much when it's a tough shot, but missing the easy shots is a real let down. After a few ends of it, I had to do my little on ice meditation trick trying to clear my mind. Wait for a moment to myself, close my eyes, deep breath, think about nothing. Not sure it works, but call it a ritual at this point.

Notes

• I still think the wall side is a bit funky, but much more playable
• Starting to wonder if the red rocks are just bad on the sheet? Could explain the difference in experience, but on Friday it felt like it was up and down the lineup, and it's very unlikely that 1-8 are all wonky on a single colour

Stats

Weekend

• C Draw, 5 Seed
• Record: 2-1
• Point total: 19
• Draw standing: 1st (tied)

Men's

• C Draw, 1 Seed
• Record: 4-0
• Point total: 32 (28 prorated)
• Draw standing: 1st (tied)

Wedesdays

• F Draw, 4 Seed (default)
• Record: 2-0 (1 forfeit)
• Point total: 4
• Draw standing: 1st (tied)