The REDBLACKS head back into battle Saturday afternoon in Winnipeg as the club searches for the win that will lock up the East Division crown and set up an East Final at TD Place.
Though Ottawa fell short of that goal last weekend in their first opportunity to lock up the East, coach Rick Campbell and his players are confident that a regular season-ending home-and-home series against Winnipeg – the re-match goes Nov. 4 at TD Place – will put them ahead of the pesky Hamilton Tiger-Cats once and for all.
The REDBLACKS can’t do it all on their own this weekend, with Ottawa needing a Hamilton loss on Friday night followed by a win of their own Saturday to win the East this weekend. But the club also knows they can’t waste time worrying about what other teams are doing. A win in Winnipeg will put them in a good spot coming home one way or another and that’s the singular priority.
What will be key for the REDBLACKS in Winnipeg is playing the way they did in the first half against Hamilton last weekend for an entire 60 minutes. The REDBLACKS led 27-12 at the half in that game before letting it slip away in overtime.
Chalk that one up to a learning experience, said defensive lineman Arnaud Gascon-Nadon.
“We learned from our mistakes, we learned as a team what we need to build on and what we need to do better and I think that’s just finishing games when we have the opportunity to do so,” he said. “We’re going to keep working on that and we’re optimistic. We wanted to finish first last week and we didn’t get to do that. But we have an opportunity to go to Winnipeg, an away game in a hostile environment, and clinch first.”
It won’t be easy. Winnipeg sits second in the West Division with a 10-6-0 record, behind only the powerhouse Calgary Stampeders. Making the Bombers particularly dangerous is their ability to force turnovers, something they have proven to be the best in the league at doing. Winnipeg is tops in the CFL with a +31 turnover ratio, stealing the ball via 18 fumble recoveries and a league-leading 28 interceptions.
“They’ve done a great job this year, they’ve change up their looks on defence, they fly around and they capitalize,” said REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell. “We need to make sure we take care of the football … we’re going to face a tough team and a tough crowd, but we’ve done well on the road this year. We’re just trying to have a workman-like attitude and take it day by day. The biggest thing is limiting the negative plays, the turnovers and the penalties.
“If you limit those the odds are going to tip in your favour.”
The REDBLACKS have already clinched a home playoff game thanks to a win in Hamilton two weeks ago.
Experience the rematch next Friday at 7 p.m. as the REDBLACKS host the Bombers in the regular season finale at TD Place. Score your seats now by clicking here, calling 613.232.6767 x1, or by visiting the Box Office at TD Place.
