THE CANADIAN PRESS
Place in the standings will not be impacted by the Stampeders’ efforts in Vancouver this weekend. But their mindset and mood heading to the playoffs will certainly be.
The Stampeders know they have one more opportunity to pull their game together before the winner-take-all Western Final.
| Cornish for MOP? |
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Team nominees for the CFL Player Awards were announced on Wednesday, and not surprisingly, Calgary’s MOP was Jon Cornish. Does this year’s rushing leader have a shot at the coveted award for the second straight season? |
There will be no miserable weather to deal with in Vancouver. That stands in stark contrast to the snow-plagued game last week at McMahon Stadium.
Heavy, wet snow fell in large quantities during the game, leading to a turnover-plagued effort by the Stampeders.
While unhappy with the loss and the lack of execution, the team chose to make the best of the circumstances. It chose to use the game as a learning experience.
Players who had yet to experience snow were told to expect those kinds of conditions in the Western Final. Those who had experienced those conditions were asked to remember how to play in those conditions. And, to remember the large number of turnovers that derailed the team in last year’s Western Final.
The BC game will be a big help in prepping for the Western Final, but the Stampeders also have to keep a potential lineup in mind for that game.
To that end, running back Jon Cornish and receiver Mo Price will sit the game out. Both are undergoing concussion protocols after absorbing hits in the Winnipeg game. The pair are both expected to play in the Western Final.
The Stampeders will also start Drew Tate in the season finale. However, the expectation is that Bo Levi Mitchell will see some time in the contest. The exact division of duties has not been announced.
Also expected back on the field is receiver Simon Charbonneau-Campeau. He took a hard hit in an early October game in Regina. He has been pronounced ready to play in the regular season finale.
Various other changes are planned by the club to both preserve the roster and keep players sharp for Nov. 23.
| Western Final Tickets: Available now! |
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The Stampeders don’t know who they’ll be facing in this year’s Western Final in Calgary on Nov. 23, but you can reserve your seats today.
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Perhaps no return to the lineup is more eagerly anticipated than Marquay McDaniel’s. The steady receiver suffered a broken hand in September. At the time of his injury, he was the Stampeders’ top receiver. Not only was he leading in receptions and yards, but was also a leader among that crew with his blocking prowess.
The goal of the game will be to put some polish on the club heading to the playoffs. However, there is one significant mark the team has a chance to tie this weekend.
A Stampeders’ win would be their fifteenth of the season, tying a franchise record achieved on three previous occasions (1993, 1994 and 1995).
This weekend’s game may not have any bearing on the Stampeders’ standing. But their play, their performance and their health will all have a big effect on their psyche heading to the western final.
High-tempo execution, minimal turnovers and a general strong energy level will make the final regular season trip to Vancouver a success.
