New curling hammer rule to be tested in attempt to boost scoring, entertainment

The upcoming Grand Slam competition is set to introduce a new rule that is sure to shake things up in the world of curling. Organizers have decided to test a setup where a team will lose the hammer after a second consecutive blank end. This rule change, aimed at increasing scoring and entertainment value, is expected to have a significant impact on team strategy.

“I’m excited that they’re trying something new,” said Curling Canada chief executive officer Nolan Thiessen. “It’s going to change the game. I see a lot of scoreboard management now just because the hammer means so much.”

The decision to implement this rule was made during the recent Kioti National at Mary Brown’s Centre in St. John’s, N.L. Fans witnessed Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen keep the hammer for three straight blank ends, leading to a lack of scoring opportunities and a somewhat quiet atmosphere in the arena.

“I get it. You take an arena with 6,000 people and it got really quiet,” said Team Brad Jacobs coach Paul Webster. “However, from a pure curling and performance standpoint, there’s so many great shots that have to be made to sometimes create these blank ends.”

McEwen eventually broke the scoring drought with a single in the fourth end, leading to a 4-3 victory in the round-robin game. The men’s final saw Scotland’s Bruce Mouat defeating Jacobs, while Ottawa’s Rachel Homan emerged victorious in the women’s final.

The Grand Slam series has been known to test out new rules, such as the five-rock rule which was later adopted by the World Curling Federation. The goal of these rule changes is to have more rocks in play, fewer blank ends, and give teams a better chance at making comebacks. The double-blank rule, however, has raised concerns that it may lead to a more defensive approach that limits excitement.

As the curling community awaits the implementation of this new rule, there are mixed opinions on whether it will truly enhance the game. Some believe that it may lead to a different type of boring curling, while others see it as a way to force teams to play more aggressively.

The upcoming Grand Slam events will serve as a testing ground for this new rule, with the WFG Masters being the first competition to implement it. Curling fans and players alike are eager to see how this rule change will impact the game and whether it will ultimately achieve its goal of increasing scoring and excitement on the ice.