CFL Gameday: Edmonton at British Columbia (September 30)

The Lions re-open their Den tonight, the grand re-opening of BC Place Stadium expected to bring one of the largest crowds in recent Lions history into downtown Vancouver to gawk at the face lift and if they find some time, perhaps watch a little football.

The stadium most likely will be the featured attraction, Sarah McLauchlan has been recruited to perform the National Anthem, adding some star power to an already festivity laden night, the pre game ceremonies get underway at 6, providing for ninety minutes of retrospection and celebration.

BC Place has been described as the Crown jewel of stadiums in Canada, hundreds of millions of dollars have gone into turning the old pillow topped stadium into a retractable roof fashion plate, inside the renovations have made BC Place (no doubt with naming rights yet to come) once again an event destination, beyond even the regular stable of CFL games.

Into all the hoopla tonight will be the Eskimos and Lions, the Leos providing a bit more incentive for the locals by stringing together over a month of wins and surging towards the top of the CFL West, while tonight's competitors, the Eskimos have been performing in streaks and stops, currently back to the drawing board to try and build up some consistency.

With the Lions setting their sights on first in the West, at two points out of first, a victory in tonight's game could provide the push to the top, just in time for the CFL final stretch and run up to the Playoffs, something that could guarantee that BC Place features a lively crowd right up until Grey Cup Sunday.

Game Time 7:30 PM PT (10:30 ET, 8:30 MT) TSN

Pre Game

Vancouver Province-- Lions players love renovated B. C. Place
Vancouver Sun-- Despite bugs in the house, Lions welcome fans, Eskimos to their new lair
Edmonton Journal-- B. C. Place a sparkling jewel
Edmonton Sun-- Home, sweet, Dome for Leos?
Globe and Mail-- Dome, sweet dome for Lions
National Post-- And all it took was $563 million

Quick Snaps British Columbia Lions
Quick Snaps Edmonton Eskimos


Post Game


Edmonton 24 at British Columbia 33
Attendance-- 50,213

Vancouver Province-- No. 250 no milestone for Buono
Vancouver Sun-- Lions provide interior finish at palace
Edmonton Journal-- Joseph continues doing solid work in backup role
Edmonton Sun-- Lions roll over Eskimos
Globe and Mail-- Spoiled west-coast sports fans get a revamped B. C. Place