Written by: Andrew Parker
Ok, this time we really mean it. This is the last game at Canad Inns Stadium. For the stadium’s final match, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be taking on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Final tomorrow. As the first round of playoffs showed, everyone is coming out to play, and nothing is certain. With the exceptionally close race in the West, and Hamilton winning what some would call an upset over Montreal in the East, this next round of playoffs should have you more excited than a kid on Christmas morning.
Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce will return to play after suffering an injury in the Bombers last outing, a loss to Calgary. The bye week has given him time to recover, and he’s raring to go.
“This is why we play football, to play in these big games and try to win a championship. We’ve worked hard all season for this opportunity and to get it in front of our own fans is special. They’ve been by our side all year and with this being the last game ever to be played in this stadium, it’s going to be huge. We want to send this place out with a bang and get to the Grey Cup and right now, the only thing standing in our way is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a team that just beat the two-time defending champs in their own house. It’s going to be a great game,” said Pierce.
For defensive tackle Doug Brown, the game brings a touch of nostalgia with the excitement. Brown will be deeply missed as he has announced plans to retire after this, his 11th season. A frequent All-Star and always fan favourite, Brown was a Bomber for his entire CFL career, and the impact isn’t lost on him as he looks ahead to tomorrow.
“To think back, in my first year in this league we faced Hamilton in the East Final and now in my last year we’re doing the same thing. I believe in the rest of our guys in this locker room that they have the talent that can get us to the Grey Cup but for now we have to think about this game first. We may have beaten these guys three times this year but that means nothing when it comes down to a do-or-die playoff game with an opportunity to go to the Grey Cup. It’s going to be exciting for the fans and we want to make sure we give them lots to cheer about,” said Brown.
Some of the weapons at Winnipeg’s disposal were recently honoured by being named CFL All-Stars earlier this week. The Bombers had 5 players awarded, the second highest representation in the league. Brendon LaBatte, along with defensive players Jovon Johnson, Jonathon Hefney, Ian Logan, and Odell Willis will all be looking to show their All-Star skills in tomorrow’s game.
Winnipeg Head Coach Paul LaPolice has led his team in a complete turnaround. From last place last season to finishing first this year, LaPolice and his players have accomplished great things in the past few months.
“It’s been a long season but we aren’t quite done yet. This team has a chance to do something remarkable and I believe in these guys. We’ve done a great job this season and did what we needed to do to secure first place in our division but now the task is greater. We’re going to be ready to play football on Sunday against a team that’s playing for all the same things we are. The weather is going to be great for football and we’re looking forward to the task at hand. It’d be really nice to close out Canad Inns Stadium with a win that puts us in the Grey Cup,” said LaPolice.
The East Final kicks off at Canad Inns Stadium tomorrow at noon.
