News Canadian Open

The Meridian Canadian Open is set for a return trip to Yorkton, Sask., as the fourth event of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season kicks off Tuesday night at the Gallagher Centre.

Before the calendar flips, the high-level tournament offers teams one last chance to put their stamp on 2015 with Rogers Grand Slam Cup points and guaranteed spots to the Champions Cup on the line.

In our weekly Eight Ends rundown, here’s what you need to know before the opening draw:

1st End: A Brief History of the Canadian Open

The Meridian Canadian Open is the third of four majors on the Pinty’s GSOC circuit and dates back to the inaugural 2001-02 season.

The 2001 event featured the “Original 18” men’s teams of the series with Wayne Middaugh, who now plays third on Team Howard, skipping his own rink to the first Canadian Open title.

Last year the men’s invitational expanded to include a women’s division for the first time. More on that in just a little bit, but first let’s take a look at the format …

2nd End: 3KO

The Canadian Open features a 16-team triple knockout format, rather than a round robin, to qualify for the playoffs.

Although the triple knockout is common on tour — featuring A, B, and C brackets — those unfamiliar with the format might be confused. Simply put, teams must win three games before they lose three in order to advance.

It adds some intrigue not found in a round robin as teams hot out of the gate can qualify in just three games (and have all of Friday off) while slow starters may have to grind it out through the C-side and play up to five preliminary games, otherwise it’s C-you-later.

3rd End: Deja vu?

With the Meridian Canadian Open taking place in Yorkton again, let’s rewind to last year’s event.

Brad Gushue defeat home-province favourite Steve Laycock in the men’s final thanks to a clutch shot to score two coming home in a 6-5 victory. Eve Muirhead became the first Canadian Open women’s champion after topping Ottawa’s Rachel Homan 5-3.

Gushue qualified for the playoffs through the C-side while Muirhead advanced via the B-bracket proving that it’s not necessarily the rink that has starts 3-0 that ends up taking the title.

4th End: Lots to cheer for Saskatchewan crowd

Yorkton-born Laycock was the clear fan favourite last year, especially with his run to the final, and he said he’s looking for just a slightly better outcome this time around.

Reigning provincial Scotties champion Stefanie Lawton of Saskatoon will also have the crowd on her side.

It doesn’t stop there though as Saskatchewan-born curlers Pat Simmons, Val Sweeting, Sherry Middaugh, Ben Hebert (Team Koe), Braeden Moskowy (Team Carruthers), Amy Nixon and Laine Peters (Team Carey) should also be eyeing home-province homecomings of sorts.

4th End Break: Handy links to save

Click the following links for: Teams | Schedules | TV Schedule

5th End: No rest for the elite

The nation’s best are heading straight to Yorkton after just playing in another premier tournament at the Canada Cup of Curling in Grande Prairie, Alta.

Kevin Koe captured the Canada Cup with a win over Mike McEwen in the men’s final Sunday, guaranteeing his team a place in the 2017 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials in Ottawa. Meanwhile, Rachel Homan edged Sweeting on the women’s side to earn a spot in her hometown event.

For Koe and Homan it’s nice to have their berths to the Trials already locked up with two years to go. The winners of the Trials get to wear the red and white and represent Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

6th End: Men’s preview

Koe and McEwen both qualified A-side through the Canadian Open last year, but only one of them could end up going 3-0 this time around. If all goes well for both teams in their first two games, they’ll be on a collision course in their bracket to meet in the A-side finals.

Gushue had a disappointing run at the Canada Cup missing the playoffs, but ended on a high note playing the spoiler and defeating Brad Jacobs, knocking the Sochi Olympics gold medallist from contention. An extra day off could work in Team Gushue’s favour to defend the Canadian Open title.

Keep an eye on John Epping, who looks to have found his groove with consecutive semifinal finishes at the National and Canada Cup.

Jim Cotter is another one to watch out for. Cotter qualified through the B-side here a year ago, but will be in tough against local favourite Laycock in first round.

7th End: Women’s preview

Team Homan are fresh off of winning the Canada Cup for their sixth title of the season and the momentum doesn’t seem to be running out as they improved to an overall 46-5 win-loss record. They now look to capture an unprecedented third consecutive Pinty’s GSOC championship after winning the Masters and National last month.

The top challengers to Homan appear to be Sweeting and Jennifer Jones, who should also continue their runs from the Canada Cup.

Lawton was absent from the Canada Cup and would surely like to have a strong showing in her home province.

Tracy Fleury, Kelsey Rocque and Kristy McDonald struggled at the Canada Cup but they’re proven playoff contenders on the Pinty’s GSOC circuit this season and it’ll be interesting to see if they’ll be able to charge back.

Anna Sidorova and her team took the European Curling Championships women’s title last month and they should be good to go for a shot at the Canadian Open title.

8th End: Meridian Canadian Open tickets

Single draw tickets are available for the Meridian Canadian Open, click here for details to purchase yours today.

Can’t make it to Yorkton? Sportsnet is the place to be with live coverage starting Thursday at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT.