If any more proof be needed, it was provided tonight at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. If not for the influence of the present Rider fans, it is likely that the BC Lions would have won tonight's CFL matchup. Instead, Saskatchewan pulled out a 33-30 Overtime victory to remain tied with the Calgary Stampeders in the West Division.
On the final drive by BC, they were guilty of two illegal procedure penalties, which can be attributed to the crowd noise spewed forth by the Green-and-White faithful. The noise caused the Lions to modify their offensive line technique so they could get off the ball on time instead of relying on looking back to the football. On the final play, with a cacophony of noise avalanching upon them from the Mosaic stands, Casey Printers was pressured heavily by the Roughriders defense and threw a prayer into the endzone, which fell happily into the arms of James Patrick. All with BC in position to kick an easy field goal - if any field goals can be called easy with Paul McCallum kicking them - to tie mini-game number 1.
Also revealed pre-game were the "Saskatchewan Roughrider" Hockey Canada jerseys that the Junior team will wear twice for the World Junior Hockey Championships over the Christmas season. Count me in as one who is horrified by this decision. The team is national in scope. And why are we honouring a football team in a hockey tournament? Yes, the Riders are Saskatchewan's lone (semi) professional sporting club, but how do they connect to hockey again? Please! This smacks of a clear money-grab by Hockey Canada, pure and simple.
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