The Als will try to strike back following controversial Game 9 loss at BC
By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – What was supposed to be a routine six-hour flight back to Montreal following last Friday night’s matchup against the Lions in Vancouver, probably felt a great deal longer – and with good reason.
The week that was has seen Montreal’s defeat disputed by both fans and the team alike, and while the Als brass may have had a legitimate case against the original ruling made by the league officials, 7-2-0 still follows their name in the standings.
So what better way to avenge their Week 9 road loss? A Week 10 home win, of course.
Sunday afternoon, in front of an expected 91st-consecutive sellout crowd at Percival Molson Stadium, Anthony Calvillo and the Als will welcome Jarious Jackson and the Lions (4-5-0) in a rematch of their controversial Labour Day Weekend clash.
Heading into last week’s battle at BC Place, the Als were riding a three-game win streak that saw them outscore their opponents by a 98-37 margin, including their 25-0 victory against the Argonauts. Their visit to BC place not only ended that win streak, but kept another one going.
With the loss, the Als’ slump in Vancouver that dates back to Aug. 31, 2000, when they defeated the Lions, 32-25, continued and Montreal will now have to wait until 2010 to stop it.
Moving forward…
As tough as the loss may have been, there are some definite positives that should be recognized. Receiver Jamel Richardson had a breakout game, registering 146 yards on five catches, while Calvillo completed 62 per cent of his passes for 294 yards.
In addition to their offensive achievements, the Als also saw their special teams play enjoy some success when Éric Deslauriers took advantage of a poor snap that sailed over rookie punter Sean Whyte’s head and recovered it for a 34-yard touchdown for Montreal’s only major of the evening.
Notes
This game will be the Als’ 100th since returning to Percival Molson Stadium in 1998 and the team has an impressive 74-25-0 record at Percival Molson over that time… Ben Cahoon is just nine receptions away from fourth place all-time in the CFL… Cahoon will look to extend his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 119… Anwar Stewart is still just two sacks shy of tying Elfrid Payton’s team record of 52.
The Als will host the Lions in a rematch of their Labour Day Weekend battle this Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. (RDSHD, TSNHD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM, 98.5 FM)
