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The Alouettes haven’t won a season series over the Lions since the year 2000, more recently splitting the two-game set 1-1 every season since 2007, but have the advantage heading into Saturday following a 24-9 Week 2 win in Montreal.
Here’s how Montreal and B.C. stack up in Week 4.
QUICK LINKS: VIEWING PARTY » DEPTH CHART » GAME NOTES » NEXT HOME GAME »
| DATE: |
Saturday, July 19, 2014 | TV: | TSN, RDS |
| VS: |
B.C. Lions |
RADIO: | TSN 690 » 98.5 FM » |
| KICK-OFF: |
7:00 p.m. | ONLINE: | ESPN3 » |
Running through the entire 2014 season, the Alouettes will be hosting viewing parties for every away game at La Station des Sports on Ste-Catherine Street West, in the heart of downtown Montreal.
Come hang out and catch the game with fellow Alouettes fans as well as former receiver Danny Desriveaux and team cheerleaders.
Plus, Alouettes season ticket holders always save 15% off any order up to $60 at La Station des Sports on game days.
The Alouettes will be in B.C. on Saturday night to close Week 4 in the CFL, looking to even their season record to 2-2 before heading into the BYE.
But more than just an even record, the Alouettes and Lions have a history of being two evenly matched teams, splitting their season series 1-1 annually since 2007.
Moreover, after three weeks of action in 2014, the two teams otherwise separated by 4,000+ km are separated by just one spot in most of the CFL’s offensive and defensive rankings, including most TDs, most field goals, average time of possession, most first downs, average yards offence, and average yards defence.
Home field advantage could be the difference maker or breaker in this one, as the Alouettes have not won at B.C. place since the year 2000.
The Alouettes offence finally started clicking a week ago against Winnipeg, totalling 411 yards on the strength of Troy Smith’s 309-yard, three-TD performance, but penalties — 18 for 180 yards to be exact — ultimately cost Montreal as the Bombers were allowed to stick around long enough to string together a final-minute scoring drive to cap the comeback and win the game 34-33.
The question then is can the Alouettes put together another solid outing on offence in a building where the team has traditionally struggled, being outscored by the Lions 122-25 since 2011 at B.C. Place.
And with a couple of new additions to the line-up this week, can the team stay disciplined enough to keep flags from flying — and the B.C. chains from moving — to finally reverse their fortunes in Vancouver?
“It’s going to be awesome. Playing at B.C. Place, against all of my ‘fans’ (laughs). It’s going to be cool. I had a blast playing against those guys last time.” -Former Lions DE Chris Smith on returning to Vancouver for the first time since joining the Alouettes.
“It’s going to be good to go win that game, get the bragging rights, then go home and have some of my mom’s home cooking.” -B.C. native Sean Whyte on playing in Vancouver in front of friends, former teammates and family before heading into the BYE Week.
“The good thing about penalties is that they can be avoided. They can be controlled.” -Alouettes centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain on staying disciplined.
“This is a business trip. We’re going to go in there, line-up, and get the job done.” -Head Coach Tom Higgins intends to head into the BYE Week at 2-2.
• TOO CLOSE TO CALL: Sure they’re separated by 4,000+ kilometres, but the Alouettes and Lions aren’t so different after all. An even match-up if there ever was one, since 2007, the CFL’s eastern- and western-most teams have split their season series 1-1 annually, going down to the wire eight times over that span.
• TERROR DOME: The Alouettes and B.C. Place just don’t seem to mix, as Montreal has dropped 13 of its 14 last contests in Vancouver, dating back to the year 2000. The only win over that span? That came in 2010, outdoors at temporary Empire Field while the dome was undergoing renovations for the 2010 Olympics.
• BIRTHDAY BOY: Alouettes sack leader John Bowman celebrates his 32nd birthday on the road today in B.C. The last Alouettes player to have his birthday fall on a game day was former quarterback Anthony Calvillo who turned 40 on an August 23 home date against the Tiger-Cats which Montreal won 31-29.
• WESTERN DOMINATION: Through Week 3 of the CFL, western clubs hold a 10-2 advantage over their eastern counterparts. One of the East’s two wins however was Montreal’s 24-9 decision over B.C. in Week 2.
Finally back at home after a three-week hiatus, he Alouettes and Argonauts will renew rivalries for the first time this season on Friday, August 1 at 7:00 p.m. at McGill Stadium.
Tickets are available now online at ticketmaster.ca or by calling 514-787-2525.
