It was far from a masterpiece, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers occasionally painting outside the lines and leaving a few parts of their canvas unfinished.

But Friday night’s 31-14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in front of 24,349 at Investors Group Field was the perfect elixir for a squad trying to stop the bleeding from a four-game losing streak and rediscover its collective mojo again.

In fact, it might best be described as a ‘did-what-they-were-supposed-to’ win, one which improves them to 6-7 and keeps them very much in the discussion in the jockeying for playoff positions in the Canadian Football League’s West Division and as a possible crossover team.

“Any time you go through a stretch like that without getting a win, you almost forget what that feeling feels like to celebrate with your teammates after a good win,” said quarterback Matt Nichols. “A much-needed win and an incredible feeling. I’m proud of how the whole team responded this week. We came out and it felt like we were flying in all phases and making plays in every phase to close out that game.”

It was the response of Nichols that was most critical, though, as the veteran pivot answered his Banjo Bowl performance with a game that better reflected his body of work since becoming the Bombers starter in late July of 2016. He finished the night 18 of 25 for 256 yards and a touchdown strike to Andrew Harris, did not turn the ball over and moved the offence at critical moments in the second half.

“That’s the type of game I’m used to playing, so for me, that feels normal, that feels like how I should be doing every week,” Nichols said. “To me it’s not some big thing. I got back to doing what I do well and that’s sticking to my rules, making accurate throws and helping my team win.”

The victory could potentially have come at a massive price, however, as Harris, linebacker Adam Bighill, slotback Nic Demski and special teams demon Shayne Gauthier were all injured and did not finish Friday’s victory.

“I don’t have any information on that just yet,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea after the game. “They’re all tough guys, they all love the game… I always assume they’re going to play. But I don’t know yet. I’ll give them to Day 3 (of the practice week).”

The Bombers got back to playing the complimentary football which has been such a big component in their success over the past 2 ½ years, as the offence played turnover-free ball, the special teams got superb work from Justin Medlock and the cover units, while the defence forced two turnovers, limited Johnny Manziel to 212 yards passing and registered five sacks – three of them from defensive end Craig Roh, who also chipped in with seven tackles.

Asked what he had for breakfast, Roh grinned.

“Mrs. Roh made a special breakfast… a little eggs,” said Roh. “But so much of getting sacks is just pure luck, honestly. So Bigs (Bighill) getting a good rush off the edge, our DBs (defensive backs) doing good enough coverage where I can get pressure. I’m just glad it panned out.”

And with the injuries mounting, especially on offence, the club got solid efforts from Kenbrell Thompkins, who had five catches for 94 yards, Drew Wolitarsky who had three for 57 – including two second-down conversions – and Kienan LaFrance, who rushed for 23 yards, including a seven-yard TD.

“I’m still getting better, each and every day,” said Thompkins, whose 94 yards was a season high. “I’ve still got a lot of room for improvement. I’m still learning. I’m just coming out here and trying to make plays for my team and just take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.

“The more you’re out there the more you get a feel for the game. I feel good being out there and having my team in my corner. Being in the huddle with those guys, we’re all rooting for each other and all picking each other up.”

The Bombers now head out on the road for two weeks, with visits to Edmonton and then Ottawa. But Friday’s result certainly helps change the narrative around these parts heading into next week.

“Every day we come in ready to work, ready to win,” said cornerback Chris Randle. “And to get it… it was a sense of rejoicing, it definitely was. But that’s not what our goal is, to stay here at 6-7. We’re going to take this one and keep it going. But at the end of the day it’s hard to get wins in this league so we’re definitely happy with it.”

THE BIG STAT

+2: The Bombers turnover ratio Friday night – forcing two Alouettes mistakes and not turning it over themselves after having 13 turnovers in the recent four-game losing streak.

FYI

The Bombers two inactives were DB Kevin Fogg and WR Corey Washington… With Harris getting nicked, LaFrance moved into the backfield. He finished with eight carries for 23 yards… LB Adam Bighill came off the field in the third quarter with an apparent upper-body injury. Ian Wild entered the game as his replacement… The injury to Demski meant rookie Daniel Petermann moved into the starting receiving corps.

NUMBERS GAME

44: Rushing yards by Andrew Harris, on seven carries, before he exited the game in the first half. The 44 yards did push him over 1,000 yards for the fourth time in his career. He also became the first Bomber to post consecutive 1K rushing seasons since Fred Reid in 2009-10.

20: Harris also moved into the CFL’s Top 20 all-time in yards from scrimmage – passing former Bomber Arland Bruce III – and now sits at 7,3006 yards rushing and receiving.

700: Weston Dressler had three catches for 27 yards and now has 701 in his career.

5: The Bombers have now won five straight against the Alouettes, dating back to a loss against them in their 2016 season opener.

100: Career game for Matt Nichols, who is now 28-19 in his 47 starts for Winnipeg.

5-1: The Bombers are now 5-1 coming off a bye week since 2016. From 2013-15 the club was 0-4 after byes.