Nov
Stamps Grey Cup favorites
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
There was no hesitation, no second-guessing the game, the moment that turned the Canadian Football League campaign into a dream season for the Calgary Stampeders.
“Probably the key point to our season was the Edmonton game after Labour Day,” stated head coach John Hufnagel yesterday. “Going up there with four days between games and really scratching out a win … it was a very gutsy performance by a football team and it really set the tone for the second half of the season.”
Coming off a 37-16 loss at McMahon Stadium on Labour Day, the Stamps outscored the Eskimos 38-33 in the rematch at Edmonton to launch a four-game winning streak. There’d only be one more defeat during the regular season as they rode a five-game winning streak to the top of the West Division.
And now, after a tense 22-18
decision over the B.C. Lions this past Saturday, they roll into Sunday’s Grey Cup joust against the East champion Alouettes on a six-game roll.
“For whatever reason, this team has stated many times that they thought they had something special going on and that’s been … I haven’t called it a battle cry … but it’s been something in the back of their minds all year long,” Hufnagel added.
“Especially after winning that Edmonton game, they thought they’d have a great chance of having a great year. There’s no better satisfaction than playing a tough regular season schedule, accomplishing certain things that get you the opportunity and then finishing the job.”
The Stamps, if they weren’t considered threats at the start of the season because of all the youth and changes in coaching personnel, are probably being considered favourites given their two triumphs over the Als during the regular season, a 23-19 decision at Montreal and a 41-30 verdict at McMahon Stadium.
