2025 @CFL hot stove league

GA Russell · October 31, 2014

Week 19 picks...

Lowell Ullrich

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2014/10/31/the-picks-week-19-in-the-cfl/

Paul Wiececk

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/cfl-this-week----week-19by-paul-wiecek-281037572.html

*****

John Forzani passed away this morning. Here are Marc Cohon's words and the CP's obituary.

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-mourns-the-passing-of-john-forzani

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-great-forzani-passes-away-at-age-67-1.121341

*****

BC has put Travis Lulay on the six-game list again. He is definitely out for the remainder of the regular season, but they may bring him back for the playoffs.

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-set-to-place-lulay-back-on-six-game-injured-list-1.121415

GA Russell · November 7, 2014

Time again to catch up! Let's start with last weekend's games.

Hamilton 34....Ottawa 25

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735076

The Redblacks led 8-0 after one, and 15-14 at the half. But the Ticats were consistently the better team in the second half.

*****

Winnipeg 18....Calgary 13

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735289

It began snowing in Calgary before the opening kickoff, and didn't stop until the game was almost over. Jon Cornish ran for over 100 yards in a quarter and a half, but then landed on his head when tackled, and did not return. From that point on, the Stampeders didn't play with a lot of zip.

*****

Edmonton 37....BC 3

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735346

The Lions didn't show up, but the fans in Edmonton didn't seem to mind.

Solomon Elimimian set the league single-season tackles record with his 131st in the third quarter.

http://cfl.ca/article/elimimian-sets-new-single-season-tackles-record

With the win, the Eskimos clinched second place.

During the halftime interview, Wally told Giulio that he suspects that the scoring has been low this year because the defenses have gotten better - because the game roster was increased by two players, and he thinks that the coaches have added two defensive players.

*****

Montreal 17....Toronto 14

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735534

The Argos outscored the Als in each of the first three quarters, but the Als won the fourth quarter 10-0.

Ricky Ray suffered a concussion.

With the win, the Als clinched a playoff spot. The Als started the season 1-7, and have gone 8-1 since.

*****

cfl.ca Week 19 review

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-replay-a-look-back-at-week-19

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Both Jon Cornish and Mo Price will be out this week, but the Stamps hope that they will be healthy for the Western Final.

http://cfl.ca/article/stamps-expect-to-have-cornish-price-in-western-final

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Top Ten Plays of the Week

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/105593

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cfl.ca power rankings

http://cfl.ca/article/pintys-power-rankings-alouettes-holding-on

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Malcolm Kelly power rankings

http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/football/opinion/2014/11/cfl-power-rankings-week-19-3.html

GA Russell · November 7, 2014

Now let's look at this weekend's games.

Week 20 picks...

Chris Schultz

http://www.tsn.ca/risky-business-week-20-predictions-in-the-cfl-1.123803

Gregg Xenakes

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4735977

Dan Ralph

http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2014/11/05/cfl_picks_week_20_ticats_can_claw_into_playoffs_with_win_over_als.html

Mike Beamish with power rankings

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/sports/football/lions/Week+Picks+Rankings/10356817/story.html

*****

Playoff scenarios

http://cfl.ca/article/breakdown-week-20-playoff-scenarios

http://cfl.ca/article/cauz-your-survival-guide-to-the-2014-cfl-playoffs

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cfl.ca MOP watch

http://cfl.ca/article/mop-watch-week-19-stock-analysis

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Yesterday the league announced the names of the nominees of each team for the CFL Awards.

http://cfl.ca/article/awards-season-2014-team-awards-announced

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Simoni Lawrence has made some YouTube videos.

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-media-presents-gametime-with-simoni-lawrence

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The Argos announced this morning that Ricky Ray's concussion will prevent him from playing this week. That might end the Argos' season right there.

http://cfl.ca/article/ray-wont-play-argos-star-qb-ruled-out-for-friday

http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-qb-ray-out-for-must-win-game-against-redblacks-1.125077

*****

Canadians Dallas Smith and Nikki Yanofsky will perform before the Grey Cup game. Is anyone familiar with them?

http://cfl.ca/article/dallas-smith-nikki-yanofsky-kickoff-102nd-grey-cup

Edited November 7, 2014 by GA Russell

GA Russell · November 7, 2014

The FRC has elected Chris Cuthbert, Lowell Ullrich and Mike Beamish to the Hall of Fame.

http://cfl.ca/article/2014-frc-inductees-named-to-hall-of-fame

*****

The Grey Cup women's fashions announced earlier are now available. Unfortunately, this model is not available!

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-for-eluxe-collection-on-sale-now

*****

The Riders have activated Darian Durant, but that doesn't mean he will play this week. Kerry Joseph will start.

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-activate-qb-durant-from-injured-reserve-1.125946

http://www.tsn.ca/chamblin-announces-joseph-will-start-roughriders-regular-season-finale-1.125087

*****

John Forzani donated his brain to science.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-stampeder-forzani-s-brain-donated-to-concussion-project-1.125353

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Here are the standings headed into the last week of the season.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/standings

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Paul LaPolice notes that the Ticats have the possibility of finishing first, second or out of the playoffs!

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/lapolice-interesting-coaching-situation-for-tiger-cats-this-season-1.126729

*****

As stated elsewhere on this board, yesterday was my birthday. I received a few things that might interest you.

First, two biographies of CFL alums - Cookie Gilchrist and Babe Parilli.

The Cookie That Did Not Crumble

http://www.amazon.com/Cookie-That-Did-Not-Crumble/dp/0984688501/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334283&sr=1-1&keywords=cookie+gilchrist

Kentucky Babe

http://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-Babe-Parilli-Story/dp/1463703473/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334371&sr=1-1&keywords=the+kentucky+babe

And also, two inexpensive eBooks.

The Greatest Game: an Oral History

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Game-Oral-History-ebook/dp/B00A7EPXJW/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334457&sr=1-6&keywords=greatest+game

Three Downs, One Hundred Games

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Downs-One-Hundred-Games-ebook/dp/B00A8P6EDY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415334681&sr=1-1&keywords=three+down%2C+one+hundred+games

Edited November 7, 2014 by GA Russell

GA Russell · November 7, 2014

Lowell Ullrich Week 20 picks

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2014/11/07/the-picks-week-20-in-the-cfl/

*****

You will recall that for the past few years, TSN has polled the players for their opinions regarding who is the hardest to bring down, the biggest trash talker, etc. TSN released this year's results today. Once again, Mike Reilly has been voted the toughest player in the league. As I recall, before him Buck Pierce used to win that. I guess the players respect the quarterbacks.

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-cornish-argos-ray-lead-cast-of-winners-in-cfl-player-poll-1.127710

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Winnipeg fans have voted Rod Hill the team's best defensive back of all time.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/Fans-name-Rod-Hill--281963231.html

GA Russell · November 13, 2014

So as we now head into the playoffs, there's a lot of news.

First, we'll start with last weekend's games. Usually the last weekend of the season is a waste of time, with teams mostly trying to avoid injuries. But this year, every game was relevant to the final standings.

Toronto 23....Ottawa 5

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4736335

The Argos needed to win, or they were out. With Ricky Ray out, Trevor Harris started his first game as a pro, and he did fine.

*****

Calgary 33....BC 16

http://cfl.ca/article/stamped-season-stamps-head-into-playoffs-with-momentum

Drew Tate started for the Stamps, but Bo Levi Mitchell replaced him in the second quarter. Both looked good, so I don't know why Tate was removed.

This was only Tate's 12th start in an 8-year career! Since Mitchell is young and apparently the Stamps' man of the future, I have to think that Tate will be playing somewhere else next year.

I think that if the Lions had won, they would have clinched third place.

*****

Hamilton 29....Montreal 15

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4736530

The Ticats were in an extraordinary position. If they won by more than seven, they would clinch first. If they won by less than eight, the Als would clinch first, and the Ticats would finish second. If the Ticats lost, they would finish third behind the Argos, and out of the playoffs.

This was the Ticats' sixth consecutive home win. (They have never lost at Tim Horton Field.) That is their best home winning streak since 1966.

The last time the Ticats finished first was 1998!

*****

Saskatchewan 24....Edmonton 17

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4736595

With the win, the Riders clinched third place, and will visit Edmonton next week. The Lions will therefore finish fourth, and cross over to the East to play the Als. No cross-over team has won yet.

This was an odd game. The Riders, by design, didn't play most of their starters in the second half. The Eskimos nearly pulled it out in the fourth quarter, after trailing 24-7 after three.

Mike Reilly was out, and Matt Nichols got his first pro start. You may recall that in training camp last year, Nichols won the starting job, and then was injured in the last pre-season game and was out for the year. Reilly did so well last year that Nichols never had a chance this year. Maybe Nichols will be another one to move on this off-season. I don't know.

This was the Riders' first win since Darian Durant got hurt.

*****

cfl.ca Week 20 review

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-replay-a-look-back-at-week-20

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Week 20 Top Ten Plays of the Week

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/105993

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cfl.ca power rankings

http://cfl.ca/article/pintys-power-rankings-ticats-claw-right-back

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Malcolm Kelly power rankings

http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/football/opinion/2014/11/cfl-power-rankings-week-20.html

Edited November 13, 2014 by GA Russell

GA Russell · November 13, 2014

Here are the final 2014 season standings.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/standings

*****

...the final 2014 team stats

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/team-stats

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... the final 2014 player stats

http://cfl.ca/statistics/list/year/2014

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The Redblacks have let go their offensive coordinator Mike Gibson.

http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-fire-offensive-coordinator-gibson-after-one-season-1.133454

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-relieve-mike-gibson-of-his-coaching-duties

*****

Various articles about...

the Eastern Semi-Final

http://cfl.ca/article/2014esf

the Western Semi-Final

http://cfl.ca/article/2014wsf

*****

The league today announced the Eastern and Western All-Stars.

http://cfl.ca/article/shooting-stars-divisional-all-stars-announced

http://www.tsn.ca/carter-among-11-alouettes-named-to-east-all-star-squad-1.133348

*****

Edmonton announced today that Matt Nichols will start Sunday, but Mike Reilly will practice this week and be available to play. I'm skeptical that Reilly will be ready if they are going to start Nichols.

http://cfl.ca/article/esks-announce-nichols-to-start-reilly-available

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-to-start-qb-nichols-against-roughriders-reilly-available-to-play-1.133243

GA Russell · November 13, 2014

Semi-Finals picks...

Chris Schultz

http://www.tsn.ca/risky-business-division-semifinal-predictions-in-the-cfl-1.132560

Gregg Xenakes

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4737208

Dan Ralph

http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2014/11/12/cfl_picks_playoffs_qb_questions_saddle_riders_eskimos.html

GA Russell · November 13, 2014

It is very rare that I ever see something in the News & Observer about the Canadian league that I hadn't seen earlier on the internet. So imagine my surprise this morning when I learned that...

In another indication that Reilly might not be ready to play Sunday, the Eskimos yesterday signed Justin Goltz.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/11/12/eskimos-beef-up-qb-position-by-signing-former-blue-bomber-justin-goltz

*****

The Western Semi-Final will be on ESPN2 live Sunday at 4:30 pm eastern.

http://cfl.ca/page/2014-us-broadcast-schedule

*****

The league today announced the finalists for the CFL Awards. For the first time ever, a defensive player (Solomon Elimimian) has been selected his division's Most Outstanding Player.

http://cfl.ca/article/2014-awards-finalists

http://www.tsn.ca/ray-elimimian-finalists-for-cfl-outstanding-player-honour-1.134003

I'll get back later with my picks.

*****

The Riders announced today that Darian Durant isn't ready, and that Kerry Joseph will start Sunday.

http://cfl.ca/article/riders-announce-that-joseph-will-start-wsf-vs-esks

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-qb-joseph-will-get-the-start-against-eskimos-in-western-semifinal-1.134275

GA Russell · November 14, 2014

Here are all of this year's Most Outstanding Player nominees:

PLAYER Solomon Elimimian (BC) Ricky Ray (TOR)

DEFENSIVE Solomon Elimimian (BC) Bear Woods (MTL)

CANADIAN Jon Cornish (CGY) Ted Laurent (HAM)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN Brett Jones (CGY) Jeff Perrett (MTL)

SPECIAL TEAMS Lirim Hajrullahu (WPG) Swayze Waters (TOR)

ROOKIE Dexter McCoil (EDM) Tristan Okpalaugo (TOR)

In the past few years I've found it fairly easy to pick the winners, but not this year. I'll go with...

Ricky Ray

Solomon Elimimian

Jon Cornish

Brett Jones

Swayze Waters

Dexter McCoil

It can definitely be argued that Elimimian had a better year than Ray, but for most of the year people thought that John Chick would be named the league's best defensive player. I don't think that the voters have been watching Elimimian throughout the year like they have Ray.

Cornish had a crazy year. He was one of the best players in league history the games that he played, but he missed half the schedule with injuries. I think that the voters will name him Best Canadian as a consolation prize.

Offensive Lineman is always a tough call.

McCoil made some highlight videos throughout the year, so I think that he will get the nod.

Swayze Waters was not only good with the field goals, but he was magical punting the ball out of bounds inside the ten-yard line. For me, he and Elimimian (for Best Defensive Player) are the easiest picks.

Edited November 14, 2014 by GA Russell

GA Russell · November 15, 2014

cfl.ca Semi-Finals picks

http://cfl.ca/article/semi-final-predictions-cflca-writers-make-their-picks

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The Eastern Final is sold out.

http://cfl.ca/article/tim-hortons-field-sold-out-for-eastern-final

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BC will start Glenn, but Lulay will dress.

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-qb-lulay-will-dress-as-glenn-s-backup-against-alouettes-1.135202

GA Russell · November 16, 2014

Ticket sales for tomorrow's game in Montreal are not going well. The Als failed to sell out a single game this year. This article does not discuss the prices, which may be a factor.

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-disappointed-at-ticket-sales-for-cfl-east-division-semifinal-1.135438

*****

The Riders have scratched Darian Durant for tomorrow's game. Maybe next week.

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-qb-durant-not-on-46-man-roster-for-playoff-game-vs-eskimos-1.135932

*****

As you may know, there has been controversy in the Triangle throughout this calendar year because a tutor at UNC Chapel Hill (Darian Durant's alma mater) blew the whistle and reported that athletes are receiving college credit for courses which don't exist. The University has responded by calling her names, and publicly treating badly a player named Michael McAdoo. This week McAdoo sued the school for various reasons. And I learned this week that last year he played for the Bombers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McAdoo

GA Russell · November 16, 2014

cfl.ca Semi-Finals preview

http://cfl.ca/article/2014-cflca-game-notes-a-look-at-the-semi-finals

*****

Semi-Finals status report re injuries

http://cfl.ca/article/status-report-whos-in-and-whos-out-for-sundays-semis

*****

The Globe is saying that the Grey Cup tickets aren't moving well.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/lacklustre-cfl-season-makes-grey-cup-tickets-a-tough-sell/article21550310/

*****

Rachel Brady interviews Marc Cohon ahead of his last Grey Cup.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/as-mark-cohon-prepares-departure-question-mark-above-the-argos-lingers/article21603388/

GA Russell · November 17, 2014

Lowell Ullrich Semi-Finals picks

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2014/11/16/the-picks-cfl-semifinal-edition/

*****

CBS reports that ("up to," whatever that means) ten NFL teams have shown interest in signing Duron Carter.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-up-to-10-nfl-teams-eyeing-alouettes-carter-1.136588

*****

Montreal 50....BC 17

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=779129

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-untouchable-in-blowout-of-lions-in-eastern-semifinal-1.136620

Montreal led 1-0 after one, and 15-3 at the half. Pretty boring.

Then the Als scored 21 in the third, and another 14 in the fourth to make it 50-3. At that point, it seemed like everyone quit playing. As a result, there were some pretty exciting long runs and kick returns which the ball carriers seemed to make without any help, because both their teammates and the tacklers had quit playing!

*****

Edmonton 18....Saskatchewan 10.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=779184

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-advance-to-western-final-with-win-over-roughriders-1.136959

The Eskimos controlled the game. Kerry Joseph tied a playoff record by throwing five interceptions.

In the fourth, Chamblin pulled Joseph and put in Sunseri, who seemed to give the Riders some spark. But then Jones pulled Nichols and put in Reilly, and he seemed to give the momentum back to the Eskimos.

*****

Some good quick videos from today...

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/106403

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/106373

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/106371

GA Russell · November 19, 2014

Semi-Finals Plays of the Week

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/106425

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Eastern Final various articles

http://cfl.ca/article/2014ef

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Western Final various articles

http://cfl.ca/article/2014wf

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Here is a video of Huff saying that Cornish is good to go for Sunday.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/hufnagel-on-cornish-he-s-a-full-go-1.137608

*****

The CP reports that 6,500 seats remain for the Grey Cup.

http://www.tsn.ca/about-6-500-tickets-remain-unsold-for-grey-cup-at-b-c-place-1.138504

*****

Chris Schultz Finals picks

http://www.tsn.ca/risky-business-division-final-picks-in-the-cfl-1.138460

GA Russell · November 20, 2014

Gregg Xenakes Finals picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=779808

GA Russell · November 20, 2014

The Lions have fired Mike Benevides.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/football/lions/Lions+fire+head+coach+Mike+Benevides/10399088/story.html

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-fire-head-coach-benevides-1.140155

http://cfl.ca/article/bc-lions-part-ways-with-head-coach-mike-benevides

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=780011

*****

The league has a program to use social media websites to promote the Grey Cup.

http://cfl.ca/article/102nd-grey-cup-to-be-the-most-social-greycup-ever

*****

Malcolm Kelly Finals picks

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/sports/sports-cfl/story/1.2841804

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/sports/cfl/story/1.2841758

GA Russell · November 21, 2014

Dan Ralph Finals picks

http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2014/11/20/cfl_picks_jon_cornish_gives_stampeders_edge_over_eskimos_in_west_final.html

GA Russell · November 22, 2014

Finals picks

cfl.ca

http://cfl.ca/article/finals-predictions-cflca-writers-make-their-picks

Winnipeg Free Press

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/cfl-this-week----division-finalsby-paul-wiecek-283455001.html

GA Russell · November 23, 2014

The Ticats have place Andy Fantuz and Peter Dyakowski on the roster for tomorrow's game.

http://www.tsn.ca/ticats-add-fantuz-dyakowski-no-sutton-for-alouettes-for-eastern-final-1.141668

http://cfl.ca/article/fantuz-on-the-ticats-roster-for-eastern-final

*****

Mike Reilly will start tomorrow for the Eskimos. Charleston Hughes will start for the Stampeders.

http://www.tsn.ca/reilly-listed-as-eskimos-starter-hughes-returns-for-stampeders-1.141694

*****

cfl.ca finals preview

http://cfl.ca/article/2014-cflca-game-notes-a-look-at-the-finals

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Status Report regarding injuries

http://cfl.ca/article/status-report-whos-in-and-whos-out-for-sundays-finals

GA Russell · November 24, 2014

Eastern Final

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 40....Montreal Alouettes 24

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=781089

http://www.tsn.ca/kick-returner-banks-scores-two-tds-as-ticats-beat-als-in-east-final-1.142481

Great game. The Als looked good, and SJ Green caught three TD passes.

But Brandon Banks had the game of a lifetime. He ran a kick back for a TD, but it was called back. So before the game was over he ran back two more kicks for TDs. The second link above has a video which will show you his runs. The one just before halftime was very impressive.

*****

Western Final

Calgary Stampeders 43....Edmonton Eskimos 18

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=781104

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-advance-to-grey-cup-with-win-over-eskimos-1.142633

The Stamps' offense could move the ball at will the whole game. Calgary led 36-4 in the third quarter when the Eskimos scored two quick TDs to make it interesting at 36-18; but the Stampeders' defense held Edmonton scoreless the rest of the way.

Mitchell threw the ball to Cornish instead of handing it off to him. As a result, Cornish had over 100 receiving yards by halftime, but finished the game with only 40 yards rushing.