The Stampeders won the Western Division Final because of their defense. Full stop. BC dominated offensively hanging onto the ball for 20 minutes in the first half and rolling for 243 total yards. Calgary amassed less than 60 yards heading into the final three minutes of half time yet the score was only 9-2 in favour of BC. The Lions started almost every possession with a short field, around their 40, and managed to dominate the middle of the field gaining big yards running. Every play seemed to be 12-14 yard gains. Calgary's run defense was tested and essentially lost allowing over 140 yards total on the ground. However, in the red-zone, where it counts, Calgary stood tall, very tall.
Labinjo Shows Wake How It's Done
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Cocky BC Lions Loose
Special teams played an important role in the field position battle that saw Calgary only scrimmage behind their own 20 three times. Summers and Howell both combined for almost 250 return yards, most by Summers on the kick off. Everytime he touched the ball there was a subsequent Calgary offensive scrimmage on the 40. Starting near mid-field everytime certainly took the pressure off of Calgary.
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The Calgary Stampeders can thank one side of the ball for the opportunity to play in this year's Grey Cup. Zero major scores by the BC Lions despite holding the offensive play in the entire first half. Cameron Wake who? Mike Labinjo more like it. 3 sacks, 8 tackles. Wake? 1 sack, tackles, point BC. Goal line stands and the winning play of the game, interception by Brandon Browner, combined to give Calgary a chance when the offense failed to click.
Stampederes Beat BC for the 4th Time - Team Summary
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The BC Lions, heck, the entire CFL league, is riding a wave of optimism for beloved league poster boys ranging from Anthony Calvillo to Cameron wake. What do these two have to do with anything? Quite simply both have been inflated in the media re: their abilities, and the Stampeders talent under appreciated in the process. Calvillo won QB all-star nods and all signs point to league MVP. This although he racked up all his points against terrible East division teams and had a poor record against West teams never beating Calgary. Wake on the other hand is a dominant force on the defensive end for BC but everyone seems to forget that he's been largely shutdown by a rookie offensive line every time he comes to Calgary. Will things repeat tomorrow? Time will tell, but there's no reason why a mediocre BC offense will stand a chance against the vastly improved Stampeder D. As for the offence, expect fireworks and a home crowd to slowly dismantle the BC D.
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Stampeders did what some thought wasn't going to happen, win in a game that meant nothing. BC Lions came into town to close out the CFL regular season with a lot on the line. If you're a BC owner you just lost tens of thousands of dollars by losing a home game against Saskatchewan. If you're Calgary, you don't really care, you wait to see who we'll play in two weeks time. Interesting notes in this game:
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The Calgary Stampeders have clinched first place in the West Division which means a bye to the Western Division final and a home game (get your tickets fast). It was essentially a gimmie, some people hyped up Hamilton's abilities, but in reality they had no chance against the Stamps. However, all is not in place for the Stampeders just yet, a slow start and a sputtering offence in the first and fourth quarter.
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The valuable outside linebacker who's been a key to the Calgary defence all season will sit out against Hamilton amidst intense speculation. His absence appears to be suspension, however, the club is mum on what actually brought on the decision to leave him at home. Here's what's being said around the league.
Armour Breaches Curfew?
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The Calgary Stampeders have now beat every team in the CFL this year at least once after their dominant win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Sure, some may say Winnipeg had nothing to play for, but Calgary nonetheless embarrassed a team and showed them how big the gap between West and East play really is. Here are some notes from around the city:
