By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Edmonton – For the third consecutive season, it all comes down to this for your Montreal Alouettes.
Once again, the Als fly into Western territory to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Governor General Earl Grey’s Cup and much like last season, expect a matchup for the ages.
After enjoying the warm confines of Olympic Stadium in last week’s 48-17 Eastern Final win over the Toronto Argonauts in Montreal, the Als now shift to the other side of the spectrum and will grace the below-freezing field at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, the most northern city in the CFL.
Not only will Sunday’s matchup provide the Als will cold weather, but they will also be faced with cold a cold sea of Green as the defending champions know that they’ll have their ears full of screaming Rider fans for the second consecutive year.
Fitting ending
It seemed like only yesterday that Montreal and Saskatchewan faced off on July 1, to kick off the 2010 CFL season. The Canada Day matchup was being billed as the ‘rematch’, one that will surely kick off the new campaign in style.
And it sure did.
In an offensive shootout that saw both teams combine for 105 points, the Roughriders seemingly avenged their 97th Grey Cup loss in a 54-51 double overtime win at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
The game certainly set the tone for what would prove to be an exciting season for both teams. The Alouettes head into Sunday’s tilt as the perennial East Division representative, a team that is looking to add to their already heavy legacy. With a win, the Als will be Grey Cup champions for a seventh time and the third time since 2002.
Once again, the Als are led by a sturdy group of veterans that knows what it takes to win in games such as this one. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo will lead the Als onto the field, and will of course be followed by a supporting cast that has helped the Als in each of their 13 wins this season.
Calvillo enters the Grey Cup on a high note as he put on a clinic last week at the Big O. The 17-year veteran finished the matinee event with 334 passing yards and two touchdown passes.
Big games, big moments
If last season is any indication, expect a big game from tailback Avon Cobourne. Last year’s Grey Cup MOP comes into this weekend’s matchup following a big game against the Argonauts in the Eastern Final. Cobourne rushed for 163 rushing yards to go with a touchdown run.
Defensively, the Als are being guided by the play of linebacker Chip Cox. Cox finished the 2010 season with a team-leading 80 tackles to go along with his three sacks and two interceptions. Last week saw Cox register eight tackles to lead both teams.
Should the Als receive big efforts from the aforementioned players, good times certainly should lie ahead for them and of course, the city of Montreal.
The Alouettes will play the Saskatchewan Roughriders Sunday at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium for the 98th Grey Cup. 6pm (RDSHD,TSNHD,NRJ,CJAD)
