(Montreal) The Montreal Alouettes must absolutely continue their winning streak this Friday against the Ottawa Redblacks, if only to avoid a third team joining the race for second place in the East.
Posted at 10:42
The Alouettes (4-6) are coming off back-to-back wins, including a win on the very last play of the game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats two weeks ago to move up to second in the East with eight points . That’s two ahead of the Ti-Cats and two behind the Toronto Argonauts.
The Rouge et Noir (2-8) just beat the Edmonton Elks to regain some composure.
“They are behind and we want to keep them behind, while we want to approach Toronto,” said André Bolduc, running backs coach and assistant head coach of the Alouettes. We have a game in hand on Hamilton, that’s very good, but Toronto, we have to get closer in this four-point section game.
“Either we get closer (to the Argos) away from Ottawa, or we let Ottawa get closer and we move away from Toronto. The choice is easy for us. It’s already a playoff game. »
Words that echoed those of head coach Danny Maciocia.
“(The games) are all important, but if you can get away from certain teams, that’s what you prefer. We are masters of our destiny and each week, we aim for a 1-0 record. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish this week as well. »
As the Argos and the Ti-Cats will meet on Monday, the Alouettes can only count on their performance to come to their aid.
“That’s what’s crazy about the East: it’s still completely open. But it’s only us: we are the only ones who can help us, noted quarterback Trevor Harris. We have seen over the past few weeks games turn in our favor that did not at the start of the season. Ottawa will offer us a good opposition: it’s up to us to play the games as we can. »
Without looking too far ahead, Maciocia admits a win this weekend could change the narrative surrounding back-to-back games against Ottawa in Weeks 18 and 19 of the schedule.
“We hope that the stakes will be a little different (during these two meetings). But that’s also why we’re aiming to win this game: we’re taking it one game, one training session at a time. We focus on what is coming, not on what will happen in three or four weeks. »
Relaxed atmosphere
The two victories won against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Tiger-Cats before the break did the Alouettes a lot of good, who are now more relaxed.
“It’s been good for everyone: you feel it in the locker room, you feel it in the meetings, you feel it in the coaching meetings too, noted Maciocia. It’s much nicer to get up early in the morning and come into the office on a two-game winning streak and know there’s a great opportunity to go for a third. »
If the race in the East is far from settled, a team from the West could already secure its participation in the playoffs.
Indeed, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-1) could secure their place in the fall tournament by beating the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday.
In the event of a loss, they could still confirm their place if Hamilton, Ottawa and Edmonton also lose.