Playoffs at 2025 U.S. Curling Nationals

Playoffs at 2025 U.S. Curling Nationals

It’s playoff time at the 2025 USA Curling Nationals in Duluth, Minn.

Heading into today’s Page playoff and semifinal matches at DECC Arena his time around, perennial defending men’s champion John Shuster sits in third place, and defending women’s champ Tabitha Peterson has ranked second after Friday’s round robin conclusion.

But there's a new star making noise.

First to discuss, however, is Daniel Casper. His Chaska, Minn. outfit finished the men’s round robin with a perfect 7-0 won/loss record.

Last year’s finalist, Korey Dropkin of Duluth, fell 9-3 to Casper in just six ends on Friday and wound up second overall at 5-2.

Casper had upended Shuster 8-7 in an extra end to hand the four-time Olympic reps their first loss.

Shuster and Co. also wound up at 5-2 but were assured of third place when Tim Hodek of Fargo, N.D. defeated Chase Sinnett of Minneapolis 9-8 on Friday.

Earlier, Korey Dropkin’s foursome had defeated the Shuster crew 9-5 in a key battle.

Both Dropkin and Shuster came into that sixth draw tilt with matching 4-1 records.

Sinnett takes on Ethan Sampson’s Chaska foursome early Saturday in a tiebreaker to decide the fourth and final playoff spot.

The winner gets Shuster in the Page 3 vs 4 playoff, while Casper and Dropkin will battle in the 1 vs 2 match.

On the women’s side, Duluth’s Courtney Benson takes on Allory Johnson of Blaine, Minn. in a Saturday morning tiebreaker for the final berth in the playoffs.

The winner takes on Elizabeth Cousins of Nashua, N.H. in the Page 3 vs 4 game.

Defending champion Tabitha Peterson of St. Paul, Minn. has made a strong return to her team after giving birth and earned the No. 2 playoff ranking with a 6-1 record.

Christine McMakin, however, is the biggest surprise of the tournament so far. 

Although perhaps not to TCN contributor Ben Hoppe.

The skip and her team from Fargo earned the same won/loss mark as Peterson but ranks first after walloping Peterson 9-1 on Thursday.

The rematch happens Saturday in the Page 1 vs 2 playoff.

All games can be viewed live for free (with registration) on Stadium Sports Network, while past games are available via per-game or monthly charge.