It was party time Thursday night at Percival-Molson Stadium. All the elements were in place to allow the Montreal Alouettes to return to victory, but the Edmonton Elks decided otherwise by winning by a score of 32 to 31.
Posted at 10:43 p.m.
Updated at 11:11 p.m.
Many were curious to see if Danny Maciocia, general manager of the team and new interim head coach would be able to shake up the troops. Gray Cup champion with the Edmonton squad, the Quebecer was back behind a bench for the first time since leaving the University of Montreal Carabins.
The good news was that the team had had a week off to properly prepare to face a team that was also experiencing a lot of difficulty.
PHOTO PETER MCCABE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Alouettes Head Coach and General Manager Danny Maciocia
The match had started coldly for the Sparrows. Even the visitors had taken the lead in the first quarter. The short tribute paid to Guy Lafleur, to whom the organization dedicated a banner, did not sufficiently motivate the troops.
However, the hosts experienced a surge of energy in the second quarter. Exactly from the moment the team announced on social media that they had acquired the rights of guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Eugene Lewis
Quarterback Trevor Harris found Tyson Philpot and Eugene Lewis back-to-back in the end zone as the team was at the goal gate. Moreover, the star receiver’s first touchdown of the season would probably not have been possible without the excellent punt return of Chandler Worthy, who had another strong game and who often allowed his teammates to be positioned when the ball is picked up.
The wind in the sails and the wind in the hair, Marc-Antoine Dequoy even added his two cents by making his second interception of the season in as many home games. If he had brought the ball back into the end zone three weeks ago, he was stopped at the one-yard line this time. Dominque Davis added points to the board with the quarterback sneak. The Alouettes led 24-12 at halftime.
Celebrate the Champions
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Ben Cahoon carrying the Gray Cup
This season marks the 20e anniversary of the 2002 coronation for the Alouettes, when they beat the Edmonton Eskimos to win the Gray Cup. The team led by Don Matthews still holds a special place in the hearts of fans and it was felt Thursday night. Sylvain Girard, Bruno Heppell, Stéphane Fortin and Scott Lowry were notably present in the center of the field during halftime.
A second half that hurts
When everything seemed to be going like clockwork, the Alouettes reverted to their bad habits and let slip a 19-point lead after Davis made another sneak to bring the score to 31-12.
Despite the encouragement of Olympic medalist Steven Dubois and Washington Commanders player Benjamin St-Juste present at the stadium, the Alouettes made a plethora of mistakes. Interceptions and penalties cost the home side the game. The Elks have been patient and opportunistic.
The fourth quarter was to the advantage of the Elks who scored 20 unanswered points to win the game 32-31. Chris Osei-Kusi’s last reception in the end zone with just over four minutes left in the game would have been fatal.