Valerie Wutti
By: Sarah Zintel – Ottawa REDBLACKS
Photo: Valerie Wutti
OTTAWA – The atmosphere in TD Place is electric as the Ottawa REDBLACKS lead the Toronto Argonauts 9-7 at the half.
Kicker Brett Maher scored all of Ottawa’s 9-points including a 22-yarder at the end of the second to put the REDBLACKS in the lead.
At the 20 minute mark Ottawa’s Marcus Henry made a sensational one handed catch near the Toronto 22-yard line. Maher then finished off the play with his second field goal of the night.
Early in the second quarter REDBLACKS Carlton Mitchell was rocked by Toronto’s Dwight Anderson. Anderson was served an unnecessary roughness penalty as the always energetic Mitchell continued the game.
Maher scored the first ever point at TD Place just over four and a half minutes into the first quarter. Maher kicked a historic 26-yard field goal to tie the game at 3.
REDBLACKS fans were extremely loud as the Agros attempted to crash the party early in the first quarter. The Ottawa defence kept control only allowing a Toronto field goal.
The sold out crowd blankets the stadium in red and black. Everyone who is anyone is on hand for the home opener with special guests including but not limited to: Prime Minister Steven Harper, CFL commissioner Mark Cohon, Roughriders alumni, members of the Ottawa Senators, members of the Ottawa 67s, and City of Ottawa mayor Jim Watson.
The REDBLACKS are looking for their first win in franchise history after losing their first two contests of the season.
The last time Toronto and Ottawa met was on November 5, 2005 when the Renegades defeated the Argos 27-17 at Frank Clair stadium. This was also the last CFL game played at Frank Clair Stadium.
TD Place will also be hosting the Ottawa Fury FC for their NASL Home Opener against New York Cosmos, Sunday at 3:00pm ET. The event is already set make a new NASL attendance record. Tickets are still available.
