Victory of the Alouettes in Ottawa: relief and cold sweats

OTTAWA | The Alouettes won against the Ottawa Redblacks. However, as we have seen many times in recent years, they have complicated their lives.

• Read also: Snatch Victory

During the week of preparation, the Alouettes players talked about having the instinct of the killer. They had it at least twice against the Rouge et Noir on Thursday.

They forged leads by playing disciplined football. Despite everything, they almost got tricked.

With a priority of 14 points with 10 minutes to play, the Alouettes were sailing towards an easy victory. Everyone was ready to close the books, but they let the opponent up.

The fans were treated to an exciting spectacle in the last three minutes of the game. They were on the edge of their seats seeing the Red and Black offensive progress towards the pay zone. The game was slipping through the fingers of the Alouettes once again.

They took advantage of a drop pass by Darvin Adams in the end zone and the recall of two penalties by the CFL to emerge victorious from this duel. We could see the relief on the faces of several members of the Montreal squad on the field after 60 minutes of play. Nothing was easy for them during this first third of the season.

A big win for the Montrealers as they take on Hamilton next week before a home-and-away series against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. A sequence that promises to be tough. If they win two victories, they can say mission accomplished.

Chaotic end to the game

We witnessed some refereeing confusion in the last three minutes of the game. It was not worthy of a professional league.

On two occasions, penalties were recalled by the CFL command center. Referee André Proulx didn’t know where to turn.

Moreover, the person in charge of the giant screen illustrated it well by freezing an image of the Quebecer while he shrugged his shoulders while watching the players. Proulx and the other officials did not look well during those two stretches.

Above all, they broke the rhythm of the locals who were trying by all means to create equality. Meanwhile, the Alouettes’ defense was able to catch its breath and end the game on a high note.

A paying duo

As soon as he was hired, Danny Maciocia insisted that he wanted to improve the quality of Canadian players on his team. When you look at his receiving group, he can be proud of his decisions.

Hergy Mayala had a strong game against Ottawa. He’s becoming one of Trevor Harris’ favorite targets. His contribution is a good way to keep opposing defenses on their heels. It allows the attack to be less predictable.

Kaion Julien-Grant has also been a great revelation since the start of the season. In his third campaign with the Alouettes, he impressed Anthony Calvillo and the other coaches. With the new hash marks, the Alouettes are finally able to exploit his speed.

On the line of scrimmage

• Anthony Calvillo showed great audacity in using Vernon Adams Jr. as the Alouettes found themselves in the paying zone in the fourth quarter. The quarterback caused a turnover by dropping the ball. Fortunately, the Rouge et Noir was not able to take advantage of this chance.
• The new linebacker Micah Awe had a great game against his former team. He notably recovered a free ball which he returned for 68 yards in the fourth quarter. This turnaround led to the Alouettes’ game-winning touchdown. “I felt like I was in a dream,” he explained. The last time I had a touchdown was in seventh grade. I didn’t realize what was happening. I didn’t score my first touchdown, but it’s coming. »
• Linebacker Tyrell Richards left the field limping. His case will be reassessed by the Alouettes’ medical team in the coming days.
• Jake Wieneke played his best game of the season on Thursday, with five catches. He is developing a great chemistry with Trevor Harris.