Eight weeks or so ago, it probably seemed unlikely that at Thanksgiving the BC Lions and the Calgary Stampeders would be facing each other in a showdown for first place in the CFL West.
The Stamps perhaps would have been given consideration for that status, though the inconsistent nature of their play through the first three months of the season probably provided the seed of doubt for more than a few of the faithful, but if they had doubts, imagine what Lionsbackers might have been feeling in August!
By that time, the Leos were in a horrendous skid, wins were of the rare variety, the losses piling up at a rapid clip, leaving Lions season ticket holders to wonder if they might be able to make some cash when it came time to sell off the Grey Cup tickets.
But in late August and through September and October the winds shifted in the west, the Lions surged through the late summer and now into fall undefeated in six straight games, clawing their way back into the CFL playoff hunt and tonight they could very well scale to the top of the Western standings.
From the early doubts and occasional catcalls that Wally Buono's best days perhaps were behind them, the Lions knuckled down to the job at hand and turned around their season, one which now finds them in the thick of the race for first place and finding fans flocking back to the stands just in time to enjoy their new digs at B. C. Place.
While the Lions have been hot the Stamps have been lukewarm, far too many good efforts have been followed up by games that have left head coach John Hufnagel to wonder about the passion of his players.
One thing is certain, with much on the line tonight, in front of what should be another huge Lions crowd at the renovated home of B. C .Place, if the Stamps aren't up for this one, then Hufnagel will have his answer as to their level of passion.
Of the four games of the weekend, tonight's offers up the most potential drama and provides a game that has something for both teams to win or lose.
Game Time 7 PM PT (10 ET, 8 MT) TSN
Pre Game
Vancouver Sun-- Lulay's progression a byproduct of Lion's improved play
Vancouver Province-- Lulay: From starry-eyed backup to star Lions QB
Calgary Herald-- Lewis on cusp of 1,000 yards for eighth straight year
Calgary Sun-- Time for Stamps to serve and protect
National Post-- Lions eye first place in the West
Globe and Mail-- Harris relishes rare role as star Canadian running back
Quick Snaps British Columbia Lions
Quick Snaps Calgary Stampeders
Post Game
Calgary 31 at British Columbia 33
Attendance-- 30,622
Vancouver Province-- Lions kicker McCallum scores when it counts
Vancouver Sun-- McCallum's monster boot saves Lions' win streak
Calgary Herald-- Lions overtake Stamps atop CFL West
Calgary Sun-- Stamps booted in B. C.
Globe and Mail-- B. C. Lions defeat Stamps on last play of game
National Post-- McCallum's field goal seals win for Lions
No comments:
Post a Comment