Ontario Scotties preview

The Ontario  Scotties Tournament of Hearts opens Monday (tonight) at the Kitchener-Waterloo Granite Club. Here is a quick preview of the teams. I've ranked them from top to bottom.
These are just my opionons. Feel free to mock me now, or next Sunday at hurryhardblog@gmail.com. I have thick skin.

1. Rachel Homan Ottawa Curling Club
The 2011 champs looked unbeatable last year during pool play, before losing in the final to Tracy Horgan.
They are the favourties, as they have looked good on the bonspiel circuit this fall.
The road to the  Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Olympic trials starts right here right now.

2. Krista McCarville, Thunder Bay Fort William
This is the 10th consecutive year that McCarville has made it to the Ontario women's curling championship. Experience will help grind through pool play. Having Kari Lavoie back will help as well.

3.  Jill Mouzar of Toronto Donalda
My dark horse favourtie. Mouzar is a great shooter. She has represented Nova Scotia at the Scotties. Vice Stephanie LeDrew has experience going to Scotties representing the great provinice of New foundland. They looked good in the challenge round.
Also don't discount the fact that the front end (Danielle Inglis and Hollie Nicol) know the ice and facility really well.

4. Sherry Middaugh, Coldwater
Looking for her firth trip to the Scotties. Another team with a ton of experience to draw on. Do Middaugh and Rizzo have enough for one last shot?

5. Tracy Horgan Sudbury Idlwylde
This team must be getting tired of hearing the f-work. Out to prove that last year was not a fluke. Or the year before, or the year before that when they got to the final.  If they get to the final let's agree never to call last year's win a fluke. This team is talented. They will be in the hunt.

6. Cathy Auld, Mississauga
Another darkhorse. Has a lot of experience. Qualified through challenge round.

7. Kendra Lilly, North Bay Granite
First time at provincials. Talented enough that she should be back many more times. Will probably need some experience before she makes a run for a title.

8. Marlo Dahl, Thunder Bay Port Arthur
Was second at Northern Ontarios in a strong field. That says a lot. Also looked good last year, just finishing out of the playoffs.

9. Jacqueline Harrison, Brant
Don't really know what to say.

10. Julie Hastings, Thornhill Bayview
Played Homan tough at regionals.

The final will be shown on Sportsnet. It will be one of three provincial finals being shown live, along with Alberta and Manitoba.
The final is set for Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. but could change time due to television requirements.
The winner advances to the Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts Feb. 16-24 in Kingston .