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tvp2003 · 11-19-2017, 10:08 PM

That was a beautiful game to witness.

Edmonton got off to as good of a start as they could dream of. And after seeing so many disappointing playoff performances -- especially divisional finals and semi-finals at home over the years -- it felt like this could have been just another chapter (that no-yards penalty to nullify the Edmonton fumble in the first quarter anyone?!?)

But it was still so early in the game that I knew there would be opportunities for the boys to reload. And they did. All three phases made big plays -- the defence shutting the door the rest of the first half. Bo with some precision passing to make it 14-7 (before the wind picked up), and Finch with some game breaking runs, including the go-ahead touchdown late in the first half. That was the difference tonight -- I was hoping they could get into field goal range but Finch took it to the house instead. Huge play #1 for the Stamps. Nice touch to get Messam up the middle on the two-point convert -- I had a flashback to the Grey Cup and thought this was a little redemption for what happened at the goal line last year. It also foreshadowed a little of what would come in the second half.

After a booming kickoff single to stretch the lead to 8, the Stamps had a nice drive (including a long pass to Jorden down the seam) that looked like it stalled in the red zone. However, an Edmonton offside penalty turned a 3rd & 10 and a field goal attempt into a 2nd & 5. Messam immediately converts that into 6 points with a draw up the middle to make it 31-15 after the PAT. Big play #2 for the Stamps.

Big play #3 would have given the Stamps a comfortable lead, but instead it was Parker with a drop on a perfectly thrown pass down the sideline. I get that the wind was playing havoc on the passing game, but I don't think anyone was surprised that it was Parker who dropped it. On we go, 31-18 after three quarters.

The Eskimos finally get back into the endzone after a couple of long completions, and the Stamps are unable to answer. However, they are able to gain some field position, and with a swirling wind at his back, Maver was able to get a punt single rather than going for the coffin corner. I thought this was big as it made it a seven point ball game -- a converted TD would only tie the game. Lo and behold, the Eskimos march the ball down the field, including a key third down conversion to Zylstra. But then Maas inexplicably kicks the field goal instead of going for it on a 3rd and 4 on the Calgary 13. Mind bottling.

The Stamps offence and special teams took over from there -- Cote with a first down to bleed the clock, and then Patrick Levels with the big hit after the Edmonton fumble (good job by Maver to get it away). Game over!

Extra points:

- Great atmosphere at McMahon. People can complain about it being a dump, and not being as nice as some of the new stadiums in Sask, Winnipeg, etc, but if I wanted the NFL experience I'd go watch an NFL game. This was a great CFL game and everyone in attendance got their money's worth regardless of who they were cheering for.

- On that note, this must be a crushing loss for Eskmos fans (whom I generally respect unlike their counterparts one province to the East) -- I didn't realize they were coming in having won 6 in a row. Overall they played well -- their O-Line was excellent and Reilly is a warrior. The missed field goals hurt them for sure, especially the one that miraculously hit the upright because they didn't even get a single point.

- The Stamps are going back to the GREY CUP! Time to get revenge on the Argos after losing in 2012. With the big comeback win, I think the Stamps have some of that swagger back, and I expect them to be flying around the field in Ottawa a week from today. They wanted a chance for redemption after last year, and now they get another chance to prove they're the best team in the CFL! Go Stamps Go!

11-19-2017, 10:08 PM	#548
tvp2003 Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Exp:	That was a beautiful game to witness. Edmonton got off to as good of a start as they could dream of. And after seeing so many disappointing playoff performances -- especially divisional finals and semi-finals at home over the years -- it felt like this could have been just another chapter (that no-yards penalty to nullify the Edmonton fumble in the first quarter anyone?!?) But it was still so early in the game that I knew there would be opportunities for the boys to reload. And they did. All three phases made big plays -- the defence shutting the door the rest of the first half. Bo with some precision passing to make it 14-7 (before the wind picked up), and Finch with some game breaking runs, including the go-ahead touchdown late in the first half. That was the difference tonight -- I was hoping they could get into field goal range but Finch took it to the house instead. Huge play #1 for the Stamps. Nice touch to get Messam up the middle on the two-point convert -- I had a flashback to the Grey Cup and thought this was a little redemption for what happened at the goal line last year. It also foreshadowed a little of what would come in the second half. After a booming kickoff single to stretch the lead to 8, the Stamps had a nice drive (including a long pass to Jorden down the seam) that looked like it stalled in the red zone. However, an Edmonton offside penalty turned a 3rd & 10 and a field goal attempt into a 2nd & 5. Messam immediately converts that into 6 points with a draw up the middle to make it 31-15 after the PAT. Big play #2 for the Stamps. Big play #3 would have given the Stamps a comfortable lead, but instead it was Parker with a drop on a perfectly thrown pass down the sideline. I get that the wind was playing havoc on the passing game, but I don't think anyone was surprised that it was Parker who dropped it. On we go, 31-18 after three quarters. The Eskimos finally get back into the endzone after a couple of long completions, and the Stamps are unable to answer. However, they are able to gain some field position, and with a swirling wind at his back, Maver was able to get a punt single rather than going for the coffin corner. I thought this was big as it made it a seven point ball game -- a converted TD would only tie the game. Lo and behold, the Eskimos march the ball down the field, including a key third down conversion to Zylstra. But then Maas inexplicably kicks the field goal instead of going for it on a 3rd and 4 on the Calgary 13. Mind bottling. The Stamps offence and special teams took over from there -- Cote with a first down to bleed the clock, and then Patrick Levels with the big hit after the Edmonton fumble (good job by Maver to get it away). Game over! Extra points: - Great atmosphere at McMahon. People can complain about it being a dump, and not being as nice as some of the new stadiums in Sask, Winnipeg, etc, but if I wanted the NFL experience I'd go watch an NFL game. This was a great CFL game and everyone in attendance got their money's worth regardless of who they were cheering for. - On that note, this must be a crushing loss for Eskmos fans (whom I generally respect unlike their counterparts one province to the East) -- I didn't realize they were coming in having won 6 in a row. Overall they played well -- their O-Line was excellent and Reilly is a warrior. The missed field goals hurt them for sure, especially the one that miraculously hit the upright because they didn't even get a single point. - The Stamps are going back to the GREY CUP! Time to get revenge on the Argos after losing in 2012. With the big comeback win, I think the Stamps have some of that swagger back, and I expect them to be flying around the field in Ottawa a week from today. They wanted a chance for redemption after last year, and now they get another chance to prove they're the best team in the CFL! Go Stamps Go!