Game 17 summary: WPG 24, MTL 23

By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com

Montreal – Another game, another dramatic loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and quarterback Anthony Calvillo just can’t take it anymore.

“I’m sitting here frustrated, we just want to win – period,” said Calvillo.

And why not be frustrated? With memories of last year’s dramatic exit at the hands of the Bombers in the East Division Semi-Final still lingering in his mind, and the possibility of hosting those very Bombers in three weeks’ time in the East Division Final, Calvillo has seen it all before and refuses to allow it to happen again.

Until then however, the Alouettes will have to deal with their most recent defeat to the Bombers the same way they dealt with their last… time.

Bomber quarterbacks Ryan Dinwiddie, Kevin Glenn and Bryan Randall joined forces, amassing a combined total of 243 yards and two touchdowns, while kicker Alexis Serna made up for an earlier 19-yard field goal gaffe by connecting on a 33-yard attempt with 1:25 remaining on the clock to give the Winnipeg its seventh win of the year.

While the 24-23 Winnipeg win was a theatrical event, it definitely wasn’t the prettiest.

The Bombers struck first after on a single by Serna after Alouette receiver Brian Bratton fumbled on the opening kickoff, giving the Bombers great field position.

Montreal answered back with a Damon Duval field goal before former Alouette, receiver Terrence Edwards, scored to put Winnipeg up 8-3.

The Alouettes responded with a Calvillo-to-Jamel Richardson touchdown, the receiver’s 16th of the year, and an interception-return touchdown by defensive back Khalil Carter.

After two Serna field goals, the other Carter on the Alouettes, Kerry, punched one in from one yard out to give the Alouettes their final score of the day.

With Glenn out nursing an injury, Dinwiddie rolled into action and completed a 13-yard pass to Romby Bryan to bring the Bombers within two before he himself was injured, giving Randall the chance to get his first CFL action.

Randall used the opportunity to march the Bombers downfield and just minutes later, Serna connected to seal the win.

The Alouettes will wrap up the 2008 regular season with a trip to Edmonton to face the Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium this Friday night at 9 p.m., Eastern (RDS, TSN, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD).