Endgames are never ordinary in the Canadian Football League (CFL). We had another proof of this during the 108e Gray Cup final, presented at Tim Hortons Stadium, yesterday.
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In a crazy end to the game, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers won 33 to 25 in overtime against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in front of a dumbfounded crowd of 26,324 spectators.
Trailing 22-10 with 13 minutes to go, Mike O’Shea’s players never gave up. They scored 15 unanswered points to push the game into overtime.
It was Darvin Adams ‘touchdown in the Bombers’ first overtime streak that played a decisive role.
The visitors then had a two-point convert to seal their victory.
The Tiger-Cats had a chance to respond a few minutes later, but Jeremiah Masoli threw an interception. The carrots were cooked for the locals.
Coming back to the Bombers, this is the first time in 60 years that they have won two Gray Cup titles in as many seasons. They are the first since the Alouettes (2009-2010) to achieve this feat. A victory in the image of their 2021 season.
Evans falls in battle
Much of the history of the first half has been written by the two defenders. However, the Tiger-Cats lost the services of starting quarterback Dane Evans.
The pivot aggravated a neck injury during a ground play. He left the match. The locals therefore sent Masoli, who had been the starter for the majority of games during the regular season.
The change seemed to fuel the Tiger-Cats’ offense, which wasn’t doing much until that streak came in the second quarter.
With his legs, Masoli was able to put the Blue Bombers defense in an awkward position. He allowed the Tiger-Cats to retreat to the locker room with a 10-7 lead thanks to Steven Dunbar’s touchdown.
What we noticed …
A house of cards
The Tiger-Cats were in full control of the game after the first 47 minutes. For some reason they were unable to finish the job. Everything collapsed like a house of cards. Hamilton hasn’t won the Gray Cup since 1999.
Harris got started
The Blue Bombers running back Andrew harris had a two-part game. He was very ordinary in the first half. However, during the important moments, he took his game up a notch and delivered the goods. He really is an important leader among champions.
Absent in size
The defensive front of the Tiger-Cats had to manage without one important element: Ted Laurent. The Montrealer suffered from appendicitis during the past week. The locals did not suffer too much from his absence.
Quebec turnaround
Rookie Félix Garand-Gauthier did not take long to get people talking about him in this important game. The Quebecer was credited with a turnaround on special teams from the opening minutes of the first quarter.
In both languages
The CFL is sensitive to the two official languages in Canada. Both in terms of official ceremonies and the national anthem, French has been respected. The singer Savannah Ré spoke a few words in the language of Molière.
The wide receiver scored the defining touchdown in overtime. He was excellent in the fourth quarter like his Bombers teammates.
The Tiger-Cats quarterback had a match like his 2021 season. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. He was unable to close the books in the fourth quarter.
Bags by …
▶ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 3
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1
Turnovers by …
▶ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 3
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2
Yards per stroke
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 79
▶ Hamilton Tiger-Cats 106
Passing yards
▶ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 240
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 209
Total first tries
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 17
▶ Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18
Possession time
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 29:08
▶ Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30:52
AFP Photo
Darvin Adams was a big cog in the Bombers’ victory.
The Canadian Football League (CFL) has just completed one of the most difficult seasons in its history. Getting back to business after the pandemic was not easy. The owners still suffered losses of several millions.
Fans took a long time to return to the stadiums because of the sanitary measures. On the other hand, during the 108e Gray Cup final, one might think they reconciled with the CFL. They were treated to quite a spectacle!
With a score of 22-10 in favor of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with 13 minutes remaining, it was thought the locals were heading for a first win since 1999. It was not knowing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
A 12-point lead in the CFL can be fleeting. This is true at the Gray Cup, but also for the rest of the season. It is not uncommon to see a comeback in the fourth quarter thanks to spectacular play. The Blue Bombers have achieved one to match the talent of their training.
This is the beauty of this circuit, which is not the most popular in Quebec, even if several players from our region play there. The show is often exciting and entertaining, although at times the rules of the CFL are difficult to understand.
Hard day after
We must have a thought for the Tiger-Cats players. They went to 13 minutes of winning a championship. The atmosphere in the locker room must have resembled that of a funeral home.
There is an image that will be remembered for a long time. That of head coach Orlando Steinauer who is on the field with a blank stare. He didn’t understand what had just happened before his eyes.
Steinauer will have a hard time explaining this collapse. Everything was in oil for his team. The Tiger-Cats had the advantage in all phases of the game.
Nic Demski’s touchdown turned the tide in favor of the Blue Bombers. The streak provided the spark the reigning champions needed.
Subsequently, the leaders took matters into their own hands and the cream rose to the surface. It’s as simple as that.