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By David Hollinshead listed as doubtful against BC. The Lions are
rested and healthy as ever as they prepare
Calgary Stampeders 19-33 to host Edmonton. BC’s record against the
Edmonton Eskimos Eskimos was 3-1 this season, losing their only
In the West Div ision of the semi-finals, there game against them during their 0-5 skid at
were no surprises. The Edmonton Eskimos the beginning of the year. Besides that hiccup,
easily handled the Calgary Stampeders 33-19. _ they have handled them very well during all
Both teams entered the post-season with an three of their victories.
11-7 record, but with Edmonton having the tie Lion’s quarterback Travis Lulay is being
breaker, they hosted the game. considered for the league’s Most Outstanding
Ricky Ray and Drew Tate were the Player, and was awarded with CFL All-Star
starting quarterbacks for their respective honours, as well as fellow Lions: slot-back
teams. Ricky Ray, being a Grey Cup winner Geroy Simon, tackle Jovan Olafioye, center
already and much more experienced than Angus Reid, defensive tackles Khalif Mitchell

Tate, came in as the favourite to take histeam and Aaron Hunt, linebacker Solomon

to BC the next week to face the Lions. In the Elimimian, and kicker Paul McCallum.

first quarter, Edmonton saw their 3-1 lead

evaporate with a five-yard touchdownrunby Hamilton Tiger-Cats 52-44

running back Jon Cornish. Calgary got the ball Montreal Alouettes (OT)

right back in the second quarter. Tateshowed _ Despite the West Division finals playing out as
off his inexperience and nerves as he dropped _ predicted, the East Division semi-finals played
the ball during his throwing motion, resulting out much differently than anyone predicted. It

in a 77-yard fumble return for a touchdown. marked the ending of a dynasty. The two-time
Edmonton took control from there, as in the defending champion Montreal Alouettes were
Eskimos next possession, Canadian running knocked out of the first round by a team that
back Jerome Messam (the first Canadian to entered the playoffs with a losing record.

 

Entering the playoffs with a losing record
isn’t all that surprising in the CFL, as there’s
usually at least one or two come postseason;
but for them to beat the defending champs is
something no one saw coming. The Montreal
offence was running on all cylinders on
November 13, but their defence and lack of
talent in the secondary led to their downfall.
Hamilton, on the other hand, abandoned
their two-quarterback rotational system and
stuck completely with Kevin Glenn. Quinton
Porter threw only two passes in the game, and
completed them both for 34 yards and even a
touchdown. Glenn though was the winning
field general on this day. Glenn went 23 for
32 with 275 yards and a touchdown with an
interception.

It also marked the return on running
back Avon Cobourne to Montreal. Cobourne
carried the load for Montreal for both of their
break the thousand-yard mark on the season —_ Grey Cup wins. Cobourne ran 14 times for

 

 

 

since 2000) scored from seven yards out. 97 yards and a touchdown. Montreal quickly
With seven seconds left in the half, Ray threw _ took the lead with a field goal, but Hamilton
receiver Jason Barnes open on a four-yard came right back to score on a Marcus Thigpen
touchdown play. 50-yard run, and capped off the quarter with
Drew Tate was pulled after the first half a field goal. Montreal came back in the second
for Henry Burris, last year’s league Most quarter with 10 straight points, scoring with
Outstanding Player, whose time in Calgary running back Brandon Whitaker and another
is probably at its end and is most likely field goal. Glenn and Porter though scored
auditioning for teams next year. Calgary on two quick passing touchdowns. Montreal

scored on two field goals in the third quarter _ finished the half with a field goal. The
and halfway through the fourth was making third quarter slowed down with scoring, as
an attempt for a comeback. With one minute Hamilton scored on a field goal and Montreal

left in the game though, Edmonton running scored a touchdown.
back Calvin McCarty scored on a one-yard Montreal’s quarterback, Anthony Calvillo,
run, putting the game out of reach for Calgary. came out and ran up to tie the game in the
Despite Tate’s inability to effectively fourth quarter. Hamilton still put up 17
lead the offence during his first playoff start, points, but Montreal scored early and often,
he is the future of the Stampeders. Henry putting up 21 points. In overtime though,
Burris has made it very clear after the game Porter scored on a one yard run, winning the
that he is not okay with being a backup, and game for Hamilton.
his best chance at being a starter is to sign a Hamilton will go on to face the Winnipeg
contract with Toronto, who is desperate for Blue Bombers, who may or may not be
a quarterback. Ricky Ray though, showed without starting quarterback Buck Pierce,
why he should be considered with Montreal’s — which would be a huge loss for Winnipeg.
Anthony Calvillo as one of the league’s top Both of these teams won both of their games
flight passers. against BC, the only two teams that BC
The Edmonton victory did not come couldn’t defeat.

without a cost, as Messam was injured and is