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CFL Grey Cup Sunday

CFL, Fantasy, Team News / Analysis, Player News / Analysis, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos, BC Lions , Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger Cats, Grey Cup

Canadian Football all comes down to this

11/27/11 in CFL | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

Right now I'm watching the Redskins and the Seahawks play some American football, but for those Canadians on our site, I thought I would put up a Live Thread, and a bit of a preview to the game.

My hometown province is hosting the Grey Cup game, in the newly refurbished BC Place. That means the game can be played indoors, taking snow, ice and cold out of the equation. Frankly, I think football should be played in whatever weather, and the host stadium should be one of the teams actually in the game. Canadians have that messed up, but for this year, it holds true. The BC Lions are actually in the game for all the marbles.

The Lions weren't the stellar team of the season, and weren't a runaway win for the Western Division. Out of the 18 games played in the regular season, they won 11, exactly the same number won by both the Edmonton Eskimos and the Calgary Stampeders (my team). However, last weekend, the Lions defeated Edmonton in a hugely emotional game. Trainer, Bill Reichelt's 18 year old son, Dylan, who worked with the Lions alongside his twin brot

her Jesse, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on November 12th. Bill and his surviving son decided to work

the game, and both were presented with TD footballs in the game. The team honored Dylan by wearing his initials on their helmets, and the team held a moment of silence prior to the game. The Lions defeated the Eskimos 40-23 in that Western Conference Final and will play today in their 10th appearance in the final.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are appearing for their 24th final game. They've won the cup 10 times, and their road to the Grey Cup final was also an emotional one. Although they won only 10 of the 18 games they played, tying them with the Montreal Allouettes, they didn't even play the Al's in the Eastern Conference final, as the Hamilton Ti-Cats were victorious over the Al's in the previous week. The Blue Bombers victory over the Tiger Cats was decisive, however, as they won by a 19-3 score.

The emotion for the team comes from the loss of Assistant Head Coach, Richard Harris, who died of a sudden

heart attack on July 26th of this year.

It might be said both teams are playing for the memory of a lost one, but both teams have worked hard to be in the final game, and the game should be a good one. The Blu Bombers aren't supposed to be in the final. The BC Lions are the heavy favorites, and expected to win by a converted TD, according to the Vegas odds. The Lions have, after all, won the last 11 out of 12 games played, after a disastrous start to their season. The Winnipeg players aren't too worried, according to most reports. They were one of the teams who defeated the Lions in those early games. Winnipeg was also able to defeat the defending Allouettes, defending Cup Champions who will not be defending today.

The Blue Bombers are trying to break a Grey Cup losing streak dating back to 1990. As they have said, they are "hanging loose" just waiting to see if they can get it done.

The Lions are the favorites, as I've said, but with the history of sports events in Vancouver, and at BC Place, this fan only hopes there are no riots or injuries after the game, regardless of the results. The actions of those fanatics in Vancouver do not make me proud to be a Canadian.

Oh, and by the way, my son's boss is at the game, having created a meeting he needed to attend in Vancouver, and he's an Eskimos fan. I'm sure he'll enjoy the game.

So sit back and enjoy the game. I'm taking the Blue Bombers by 3. I just can't cheer for the Lions. Who are you cheering for? What's your team? Join in an enjoy a little Canadian football!

leave comment

11/28/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

ML31 wrote:

I would have tuned in had it been on TV here somewhere.

No, I don't like watching on my tiny laptop screen, and no, I don't want to hook it up to my TV.

I actually prefer some of the rules in the CFL to the NFL. 3 downs is FANTASTIC!

ESPN3 was apparently showing it as well. However, if you don't have that subscribed, it doesn't do you much good. First half wasn't so hot, second half at least was a game.

11/28/11 | ML31 | 3525 respect

11/28/11 | Dan_B | 796 respect

Also, this happened: http://www.mercurynews.com/cal-bears/ci_19423163

11/28/11 | hockey54 | 4449 respect

BC LIONS YAAAAAAA! It was a great game untill Matt Dunnigan did his Joe Grogan impression.sheesh!

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

BC Lions win Grey Cup 99. Winnipeg tried very hard to come back, and played a great game, but didn't have quite enough at the end.

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

And BC is the ugly orange.

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

gearhead wrote:

BC was *this* close to a game clinching interception.

Edit: Sorry, I got the teams backwards. Winnipeg almost picked off BC. They needed to, because BC is driving, and as I type this scored what is very likely the game sealing touchdown.

Winnipeg just scored a TD. They didn't go for the 2 point Conversion, wanting to drive for one more TD before they admit defeat. And they did a crappy fake kickoff and BC has possession. BC will win it, but I'm glad Winnipeg never gave up. They've done everything they could to win.

11/27/11 | gearhead | 6354 respect

(Edited by gearhead)

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

Lulay, the Lions QB has taken 9 hits in the last few plays. It's a wonder he is still playing. HARD hits.

And the f**king Lions just scored a 66 yard TD. I wanna hurl.

11/27/11 | gearhead | 6354 respect

(Edited by gearhead)

Hey, it's still one possession with plenty of time (assuming 2 points conversations are allowed in the CFL).

Edit : Nevermind.

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

And just cuz I posted that, the Lions do get a FG and the score is 17-9

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

Winnipeg has pulled within 5 with three Field Goals, and have held the Lions back. A missed FG by the Lions means this game has gotten GOOOOOOOODDDD!

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

And Winnipeg isn't able to score the major, but manage another FG. Score is 14-6

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

Winnipeg has gotten on the score board. Granted it's a Field goal, but at least they are on the board. BC has called a time out.

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

gearhead wrote:

OK, I wasn't paying attention, and it looks like BC scored another point. Singular. It's 11-0. How did that happen?

Winnipeg hasn't been able to maintain possession. So far it sucks. A lot.

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

I was really hoping this was going to be a close game. So far, not so much

11/27/11 | gearhead | 6354 respect

OK, I wasn't paying attention, and it looks like BC scored another point. Singular. It's 11-0. How did that happen?

11/27/11 | gearhead | 6354 respect

JrCanuckFan wrote:

10-0 Lions

And the Winnipeg QB just got picked. Not good.

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

10-0 Lions

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

Yeah, the hubby is back n forthing the CFL game and the Redskins for me. He knows I loves muh football!!!

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

CFL Grey Cup live streaming on TSN here

11/27/11 | gearhead | 6354 respect

JrCanuckFan wrote:

It's on TSN in Canada, so could be on an ESPN feed somewhere....

It's on ESPN3. I'll put it on on mute for now until the current NFL games and TAR are over.

11/27/11 | JrCanuckFan | 10046 respect

It's on TSN in Canada, so could be on an ESPN feed somewhere....

11/27/11 | gearhead | 6354 respect

Is this on US TV by any chance? Because I would so watch this over the Steelers. If not, I'll just have to follow you, Debi and Bruce Arthur's tweets.