Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Toronto Downs Calgary in the Snow for the 105th Grey Cup Title





Man, I always loved football games when they are played in the snow! Maybe this sounds silly when talking about a sport that is supposed to be brutal, but it feels almost pretty, watching games when that white stuff is falling from the sky, and covering the field. It gives these games a whole new feel to them.

And to my surprise, I was able to watch a decent amount of the Grey Cup, although not all of it. That is because it aired on ESPN, which was a pleasant surprise indeed. When I get to watch Canadian programs like this, it is so reminiscent of trips that I have taken in the past up there, that it almost feels like I am right back up there, at least for the short time when I am watching the program. And this one was no exception.

The last time that I had seen or heard from Ottawa was for the trip that my son and I took up there earlier this year, for the 150th anniversary celebrations of Canadian Confederation!

It was nice to see, and we watched Calgary - the recent traditional powerhouse of the Canadian Football league (CFL) jump out to an early lead with a touchdown, although the conversion failed. Toronto answered back not too much later, but they actually missed the extra point attempt, so the game was tied, 6-6.

However, Calgary was able to get the lead back when running back Jerome Messam plowed in from 6 yards out. After a successful two-point conversion this time, the Stampeders led, 14-6. Thw two teams then exchanged field goals before the 2nd quarter was out, and Calgary went into the locker room leading art halftime, 17-8.

Toronto would come storming back in the second half, scoring a touchdown with a run from back James Wilder, and a successful two-point conversion made it a tight one-point game.

The Stampeders were not done yet, though. Messam got another touchdown, this town by the air, and Calgary once again expanded their lead to 24-16.

However, the final quarter was dominated by Toronto. Argonauts defender Cassius Vaughn picked up a Calgary fumble and returned it 103 yards for a huge defensive touchdown. The two-point conversion tied the game up, 24-24.

Then, with time running out, the Argonauts relied on their placekicker, Lirim Hajrullahu, for Tornot's only field goal of the game. But it could not have been timed any better, inside of one minute left in regulation.

The Argonauts defense then iced it when defender Matt Black intercepted what otherwise might have been a Calgary touchdown on the game's final play.

The city of Toronto held a parade yesterday to honor their champion Argonauts. 

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