While not on the main course of the Thanksgiving Day banquet from the CFL this Monday, Saturday nights match up between the Stamps and Lions is very much the marquee game of week fifteen.
The Stamps have been nipping at the Lions heels all season long as they seek to replace the West Coasters atop the CFL West Standings, last weeks victory for Calgary over Edmonton moved the Stamps to just two points off the league leading pace of the Lions, a gap they can close to even with a victory at BC Place.
The Lions coming off a loss to Saskatchewan last week, will most likely not be in a very hospitable mood as they try to correct some of their first half flaws of last week that set the Riders up for their eventual victory.
British Columbia for the majority of the season has been the dominant squad in the CFL, a strong offensive game combined with a punishing defensive unit has propelled the Lions to their 9 and 4 record, their defense having given up the leagues fewest points at 249.
Yet, a few stumbles along the way have kept the Stamps within striking distance all season long and as the Thanksgiving weekend moves towards the big feast day of Monday, Calgary will be looking to gobble up yardage of their own and keep Travis off balance for as much of Saturday as they can. Calgary no doubt set to draw on the memories of July, when the Lions handled them with ease, Saturday night will provide Calgary with the first opportunity to settle that account that the Stamps have had since.
The showdown at BC Place will make for a reliable measuring stick for the Lions coaching staff, looking to see if the Lions can return to a full focus over sixty minutes, or if those lapses like last weekend provided for might prove to be more troublesome than previously thought.
With the playoffs looming large in November now, the opportunity to stem some of Calgary's confidence will be large for the Leos, they will wish to take advantage of the situation Saturday, otherwise the last few weeks of the 2012 season may be a bit more of a roller coaster ride than previously thought.
Game Time 7 PM PT, 10 ET, 8 MT BC Place Stadium TSN
Calgary 22 at British Columbia 27 (31,347)
Pre Game
CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- Stampeders prep for first meeting with Lions since July pasting
National Post-- Lions have history on their side against Stampeders' Jon Cornish
Calgary Sun-- Injured Lions doesn't mean Stampeders should expect easy game
Calgary Herald-- Stamps shake off stench of last B. C. meeting
Vancouver Province-- Lions' injuries make for a cloudy forecast
Vancouver Sun-- Travis Lulay says Lions need to rise and shine earlier against Stampeders
Team Backgrounders
Calgary Stampeders
British Columbia Lions
Post Game
CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights
Globe and Mail-- B. C. Lions charging boldly ahead
National Post-- Stampeders miss huge opportunity in loss to Lions
Calgary Sun-- Stamps must continue the fight
Calgary Herald-- Stamps turn focus to hosting a playoff game after being denied in B. C.
Vancouver Province-- When noise matters
Vancouver Sun-- B. C. Lions take an iron grip on first place in CFL West
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