By Jonathan Brazeau
Points will no longer be guaranteed for both teams after a draw-to-the-button shootout.
The Competition Committee for the Grand Slam of Curling presented by Molson Canadian announced Tuesday that it has modified the points structure for shootouts during the preliminary round of events in the series, starting with the upcoming GSOC Masters in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
The team that would have had the "hammer" in the extra end will continue to receive two points for a shootout win or one point for a shootout loss. However, the team that wouldn't have had the "hammer" in the extra end will now receive either two points for a shootout win or zero points for a shootout loss.
Previously, the shootout loser was awarded one point regardless.
The rule change will not be applied retroactively to shootout loss points earned during the Co-op Invitational, the season's first GSOC tournament held earlier this month in Victoria. Those points will continue to count toward qualification for the GSOC Players' Cup.
"The Competition Committee met after some concerns about the play in Victoria and were committed to finding a solution that ensures the integrity of the Grand Slams is kept intact," said John Cullen, member of the GSOC Competition Committee. "With that said, we also want to encourage teams to play a more engaging style for the fans, one that is rewarded with more points for a win in eight ends or less. We believe we have struck the right balance with this rule change, and we look forward to seeing how the teams adapt to it in Medicine Hat.”
Team Homan lead Sarah Wilkes, who is part of the committee as an athlete representative, added: "I think that the work of the Competition Committee to come up with a rule change for Medicine Hat is going to make a difference in how the last end is played. We have seen many evolutions in our game over the past few years, and I think this small adjustment in how points are distributed in the round robin of Grand Slams will be a positive change and result in exciting finishes to games."
No changes have been made to points awarded in regulation. Teams that win in eight ends or fewer will still receive three points, with teams that lose in regulation receiving zero points.
The GSOC Masters is set for Nov. 3-8 at Co-op Place.
