Pinty's All-Star Curling Skins Game: Men's Rinks

Kevin Koe is slowly figuring things out with his new rink. Koe won the Brier last season with the team he will face in the first semi-final of Pinty's All-Star Skins Game, but decided to leave in the off-season hoping for a better shot at Olympic qualification in 2018. So far the foursome has had its ups and downs this season, winning three times on the World Curling Tour, including the Karuizawa International in Japan the week before Christmas. Although, they failed to advance to the playoff round at the Canada Cup, Koe managed to slip by John Morris in that tournament, 8-7, in their only matchup this season. 

John Morris has played a very limited schedule so far this season due to work commitments, only appearing in the Canada Cup and the three Grand Slam Events. Team Morris went 1-5 at the Canada Cup, 2-3 at the Masters of Curling, 3-3 at The National and 2-3 at the Canadian Open. Much like Koe, the 35-year-old Morris is trying to find chemistry with his new teammates and they should be able to find their groove sooner than later given their experience and past success including Brier and Olympic championships. Neither Koe nor Morris would probably admit it, but this matchup between former teammates has more riding on it than a few skins. There's bragging rights (for now) and pride up for grabs as well.  

Mike McEwen's rink is on fire and they’ve been the best team on the World Curling Tour this season. They've racked up $114,000 in cold hard cash, good enough for first, by a wide margin, on the Money List. The 34-year-old has won six tournaments, including The National and the Canada Cup. McEwen wasn't even scheduled to play in the Pinty's All-Star Curling Skins Game, but got the nod when Glenn Howard withdrew after being upset in Ontario's regional playdowns.

After years of Glenn Howard representing the highest level of curling Ontario had to offer, Brad Jacobs has taken over that provincial title. By now we all know Jacobs brought home Olympic gold last winter from Sochi, Russia and is widely considered as the most complete curling rink on the planet. Jacobs has one tour victory under his belt this season and could have had a couple more if not for the hot play of Mike McEwen. McEwen has beaten Jacobs in the finals of the Canada Cup and The National as well as the semi-final of the Masters of Curling. This should be a good one.