CFL Game Day: Winnipeg at British Columbia (June 29, 2012)

The defending Grey Cup champion BC Lions look poised to pick up where they left off in November, good for football fans on the west coast, perhaps not so much for those on the other side of the Rockies.

The Lions, may have had a changing of the guard in the coaching ranks with Wally Buono making the permanent move off of the sidelines, bringing in defensive coordinator Mike Benevides as the new field boss, but other than that, the Lions for the most part are the same team that ruled the CFL from Labour Day on last year.

The season kicks off with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in town, the Big Blue a team that will find BC Place rather familiar, having been the last team on the field in the way of the Lions Grey Cup victory last November.

The result of that game, left more than a few disappointed souls to sit through a cold Manitoba winter with thoughts of opportunities lost. For the followers of the Bombers last years Grey Cup disappointment also can be viewed with an eye towards their Eastern Division rivals, two of which have strengthened their rosters significantly in the off season, suggesting that another Grey Cup berth will prove to be challenging for the Bombers.

The Lions this year, will have their first full season in their rejuvenated home, one of the signature stadiums in the CFL these days, the Bombers however will be returning to their old yard, the dream of opening up their new stadium at the University of Manitoba to be deferred for a year owing to construction delays.

BC will be hoping to celebrate their Grey Cup of 2011 through the year in the new one, the Bombers looking to send their old stadium off (again) with another Grey Cup run, it starts tonight, we'll see how the script plays out when we get to Toronto in late November.

Game Time 7 PM PT (10 ET, 9 CT)  at BC Place (TSN)


Winnipeg 16 -- British Columbia 33 (29,351)

Pre Game

Globe and Mail-- Defending Grey Cup champion Lions look for strong...
National Post-- Lions' Geroy Simon aims for win, not record
Winnipeg Free Press-- Bombers open season tonight against Lions
Winnipeg Sun-- Five keys to a Bombers win Friday
Vancouver Province-- Grey Cup glory is O-V-E-R, it's time for Lions to deal with today...
Vancouver Sun-- Lions expected to make a statement
TSN-- Lions may be even better than last year
CBC-- Blue Bombers remain work in progress ahead of season opener

Team Backgrounders

British Columbia Lions
Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Post Game


Video Highlights


CFL.ca-- Game Recap
Globe and Mail-- Geroy Simon sets receiving record in Lions' win over Blue Bombers
National Post-- Geroy Simon sets CFL record as Lions beat Blue Bombers
Vancouver Sun-- Geroy Simon sets record, Lions down Bombers
Vancouver Province-- Lions win 33-16 on Geroy's night
Winnipeg Free Press-- Lions rough up Blue
Winnipeg Sun-- Bombers bomb season opener against Lions

CFL Game Day: Saskatchewan at Hamilton (June 29, 2012)

The new look Hamilton Tiger Cats ( a rather extensive line up overhaul gives them the "new look" title this year)  kicks off the finale to Ivor Wynne Stadium on Friday night with a visit by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Riders face another challenging season, their Grey Cup appearance of a few years ago overshadowed by a rather disappointing 2011 campaign, turning around that spot of misery for Rider fans is job one in Regina, where moving backwards is not an option.

In Hamilton, they've assembled a rather impressive group to bring down the old yard, with Henry Burris at the controls of what could very well be one of the most exciting offensive squads to take to a CFL field this year.

Below you can find some information on the game, previews and then reviews as well as some other items of note to set the scene.

Game Time 7 PM at Ivor Wynne Stadium (TSN)


Saskatchewan 43 -- Hamilton 16 (25,682)

Pre Game

Globe and Mail-- Ticats receiver Fantuz excited to play against Riders ...
National Post-- Ticats' Andy Fantuz ready to do 'whatever he can to make plays
Regina Leader Post-- Fantuz ready to face Riders for first time
Toronto Sun-- Roughriders versus Tiger Cats
Hamilton Spectator-- Roughrider-Ticat matchup brings back misty memories
TSN-- Intriguing storylines to kick off week 1 in CFL
CBC-- Henry Burris loves Hamilton's deep receiving corps

Team Backgrounders

Hamilton Tiger Cats
Saskatchewan Roughriders

Post Game


Video Highlights


CFL.ca -- Game Recap
Globe and Mail-- Durant, Dressler spoil debut of Burris, Fantuz with Ticats
National Post-- Ticats have no defence against Roughriders
Hamilton Spectator-- Riders' Dressler undresses Ticats
Toronto Sun-- Saskatchewan rides over Ticats
CBC-- Roughriders beat up on Hamilton in CFL season