Week 7 Pre-Game: #EDMvsMTL

MontrealAlouettes.com

Here’s a handy guide to everything that’s happening in and around the stadium this Friday when the Edmonton Eskimos visit McGill Stadium.

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The Alouettes have not lost a game against the Eskimos since 2009, good for a stellar 8 wins in a row against Oil town. HC Tom Higgins is hoping that history repeats itself Friday at McGill Stadium, where the always-dangerous SJ Green is on the cusp of making his return to the lineup after a few weeks on the mend. While the Alouettes have enjoyed stability throughout their lineup this season with 23 players having started at least four of five games, some changes are on the horizon for the offence. Should he be given the go ahead to dress, Green, traditionally a slotback, would trade spots with WR Chad Johnson, who will be lining up at slotback for the first time in his CFL career.

A rash of injuries last week to WR Mardy Gilyard, OL Josh Bourke, and KR/PR Larry Taylor yielded the best news in Bourke’s case only, as he’s expected to be a gametime decision after taking a shot to the knee. Gilyard’s CFL debut was cut short after just two receptions for 16 yards, and he’ll have to wait up to 12 weeks for his next opportunity as the former Rams draft pick has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. As for Taylor, the Alouettes will have to live without the return specialist this time out and will instead turn to the versatile Bo Bowling to handle the kick and punt receiving duties. 

Alouettes QB Troy Smith’s baptism by fire will continue this Friday as he’ll get the nod to start against the Eskimos. The team is hoping that a week of what was called the season’s best practice “by a mile” will produce a tangible improvement on both sides of the ball.

Following Argos HC Scott Milanovich into town is current Eskimos skipper and former Alouettes defensive coordinator Chris Jones. The South Pittsburg native served 4 years as DC on consultant Don Matthews’s staff back between 2003 to 2007 and is off to a good start in his head coaching career, having won 4 of his first 5 games on the sidelines. It’s no secret Jones will be banking on QB Mike Reilly to continue his run of strong play on the ground and in the air, as he sits in both the top 5 and top 10 for passing and rushing yards this season, respectively. Tasked with stopping him is an Alouettes defensive corps that will have to strike a fine balance between containing him outside the pocket and limiting his yardage through the air, a dicey proposition given his ability to change tunes at a moment’s notice. S Marc-Olivier Brouillette  and the defensive line will need to be in perfect sync for the Alouettes to have their best shot at slowing down Reilly and SB Adarius Bowman, whose 359 receiving yards have him creeping up the league leaderboard right behind Winnipeg’s Clarence Denmark.

NATIONAL ANTHEM: Sara Diamond

HONORARY CAPTAIN: Maxime, Chloé and Justine Dufour-Lapointe

PRE-GAME: Belair Direct “Protecteur du match”, AMJ Campbell “Make your Move” (AMJ winners and season ticket holders), Moustique football (Sun Youth vs Châteauguay)

HALF-TIME SHOW: Moustique football (Sun Youth vs Châteauguay), NAPA cart race, Bursaries presentation to amateur football players (FAEQ)

PLAYER OF THE GAME VOTING: via the official Alouettes mobile app »

In collaboration with Budweiser and le Dindon du Québec, the west end-zone at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium will be better known as a party zone by Alouettes fans this season!

Beginning when the stadium doors open at 5:30 p.m., the area will be transformed into an open fan zone, allowing supporters to converge in an electric atmosphere from pre-game until the final whistle.

REMINDER: Please note that the north entrance to the west end-zone will now close 10 minutes before kick-off until 5 minutes following the final whistle. During the game, access to the west end-zone will be limited to the south entrance only.

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Once again this season, starting two hours before kick-off, Alouettes cheerleaders, alumni, and players, as well as team mascot Touché will be on-site outside of Percival Molson Memorial Stadium’s east entrance to sign autographs, take photos, and mingle with fans.

Already backed by some of the loudest supporters in the CFL, a drumline meanwhile will be adding to the aural ambiance, and major team sponsors will also be doing their part to keep things festive.

Vote for the belairdirect Protector of the Game!

The belairdirect Protector of the Game trophy is awarded to the Alouettes player who has distinguished himself by protecting his team against their opponents.

Examples include:

• Protecting the running back with an important block leading to a big play on the ground;

• Catching an interception in the end zone;

• Protecting the quarterback from a sack;

After each game, Alouettes fans can vote on who among the three players nominated by Pierre Vercheval should win the trophy.

The official belairdirect Protector of the Game trophy will be presented to the winning player during every home game, on the field following warm-ups.

VOTE »

Can’t make it to the game?

Alouettes season ticket holders can transfer their unused tickets to friends for free via the online account manager.

Need additional tickets?

Alouettes season ticket holders can also purchase extra tickets at their special reduced rate by contacting their account manager at 514-787-2525.

Already a season ticket holder? Get 10% off all Alouettes merchandise at any Red Zoke kiosk in-stadium upon presentation of the membership card found in your season ticket booklet.

The Alouettes and the STM offer you a free and fast direct link between Percival Molson Memorial Stadium and the Square Victoria (orange line) and McGill (green line) metro stations every game day!

Bus service starts two hours before kick-off and continues until halfway through the first quarter.

Departs: Rue Viger / Beaver Hall (north-west side) – Square Victoria metro.

Stop # 1: University / de la Gauchetière;
Stop # 2: University / René-Lévesque;
Stop # 3: University / Ste-Catherine – McGill metro;
Stop # 4: University / Président Kennedy – McGill metro;

Arrives: Avenue des Pins / Avenue du Parc.

Return bus service resumes at the start of the fourth quarter until one hour after the final whistle.

Departs: Avenue du Parc / Avenue des Pins.

Stop # 1: Union / Président Kennedy – McGill metro;
Stop # 2: Union / Ste-Catherine – McGill metro;

Arrives: Rue Viger / Beaver Hall – Square Victoria metro.

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