TORONTO — A ticket to the Lions’ Western Semi-Final this Sunday should be a hot commodity — not just because it’s playoff football, either.
The Lions are an exciting team and Wally Buono has put them in a position to contend for a Grey Cup Championship in his first season back behind the bench, while the roster boasts a number of reputable stars, from the 24-year-old sophomore Jonathon Jennings to the dynamic defensive duo of Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill.
But what’s also interesting about Sunday’s matchup between the Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Place is the rarity of it all.
The Lions haven’t played in a semi-final game at home since 1986 and have only ever played two semi-finals at home period:
Most interesting are the parallels.
While home playoff games in general have been a rarity the last half decade for the Lions — BC’s last home playoff game was in the 2012 Western Final, an eventual loss to the Calgary Stampeders — their only two home Western Semi-Finals have both come against Winnipeg.
The Lions went on to win both of those games, a 33-32 nail-biter in 1977 and a 21-14 edge in 1986, before bowing out each time in the Western Final.
Perhaps most remarkable is the fact that the Lions hold the longest active streak with 20 consecutive playoff appearances; the second-longest ever behind only Edmonton’s 34. In all those years, the Lions have hosted just one semi-final.
The countdown is on as Lions fans will look to make a difference in the team’s third ever Western Semi-Final on home field.
The Lions found success this season whether they were on the road or at home, but if the past is any indication, it’s advantage BC against the visiting Bombers in Sunday’s playoff matchup.
