By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Vancouver – Having yet to win a game in Canada’s most western province since the start of the millennium, Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes rolled into a new stadium hoping for a new result.
And though it wasn’t the type of win that you’d include in your DVD collection, for the second-straight week the Alouettes displayed great team character late in the game, this time rallying to down the BC Lions 16-12 on Friday night to end their 10-year BC jinx.
Power outage
With the new Empire Field providing a change of scenery, the Als churned out their second win of the season thanks to a pair of timely plays by kicker Damon Duval and cornerback Jerald Brown. After making a crucial interception in last week’s win in Edmonton, Brown was at it again, this time picking off BC pivot Casey Printers late in the game and recovering a fourth-quarter fumble that allowed Duval to tie the game with a field goal.
And though the Alouettes received some opportune plays on defence and special teams, the Calvillo-led offence was unable to produce points following some impressive drives. Perhaps the lone offensive eye-opener arrived late in the fourth quarter thanks to the team’s newest offensive weapon, SJ Green, as he hauled in a 48-yard Calvillo pass while being surrounded by two Lions to give the Als solid field position in the fourth quarter.
However, the offence was unable to manufacture any points out of Green’s highlight-reel catch, settling for a Duval field goal to give the Als a 15-12 lead. On the team’s next possession, Duval tacked on a single to extend the lead to four. Duval finished the night with 14 of the Alouettes 16 points, connecting on field goals from 40,32, 20 and 15 yards out, while Green left Empire Field with eight receptions for 107 yards, the lone Alouette to break the 50-yard barrier.
Stat line
While the Alouettes managed to escape BC without scoring a touchdown, there is some definite upside to the offence’s Friday night effort, as running back Avon Cobourne continues to show signs of improvement.
Cobourne garnered 79 yards on 13 carries – his highest total of the season – and added 43 yards through the air on five catches. On the defensive side of the ball, Alouettes rookie Marc-Olivier Brouillette – a quarterback turned safety – intercepted his first CFL pass, while second-year Alouette offensive lineman Luc Brodeur-Jourdain had his first career CFL reception at tight end.
The last time the Alouettes won in BC was a 35-25 win on Aug. 31, 2000.
The Alouettes return home to Montreal for the inaugural game at the new McGill Stadium this July 22 at 7:30 pm EST on RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD and CHOM.
Notes
The Alouettes’ win was their first in Vancouver since 2000… Ben Cahoon caught at least one pass for a 130th-straight game.
