Eastern Semi-Final played at Percival Molson Stadium

Game Summary

Under overcast skies the Alouettes took the Molson Stadium field on the McGill University campus for the first time in over a decade. Their rivals were the BC Lions, the first ever Western Conference team to play in an Eastern playoff match. The season high 16,257 fans on hand seemed to inspire the Alouettes as they jumped to an early 21-2 lead in the first quarter. FB Michael Soles got the ball rolling for the Als’ as he powered into the end zone from one yard out at 7:25 for his first rushing TD of the season. K Terry Baker was good on the convert, and on the kickoff that followed when LB Elfrid Payton scooped up a fumble and took it 30 yards for the score. At 12:15 Soles scored his second rushing major of the afternoon, once again from one yard out. Baker’s convert attempt was successful. The only scoring BC could muster in the quarter was a 2-point safety off a bad snap to close the quarter at 14:42. Montreal continued to dominate in the first stages of the second quarter as RB Mike Pringle finished off the first drive of the new period with a 18-yard TD run. Baker’s convert pushed the Montreal lead to 24 points. BC rallied midway through the quarter after K Lui Passaglia hoofed an 11-yard FG which was followed by WR Jimmy “The Jet” Cunningham’s 42-yard TD reception at 8:11. Passaglia’s convert cut into the Montreal lead making the score 28-12. Any momentum that BC was building, however, soon dissipated as DB Doug Craft scooped up a loose ball taking it 3 yards for the games second fumble recovery TD at 12:19. Then at 14:34 Pringle scored his second rushing TD taking the ball in from the 28 yard-line. Baker was good on both convert attempts giving Montreal a 42-12 cushion at half-time. The Lions opened the scoring in the second half after SB Trevor Shaw hauled in a 19-yard TD pass from QB Damon Allen at the 7 minute mark. Then RB Cory Philpot caught Allen’s pass for a successful 2-point convert. Allen followed that up with a 2-yard rush at 10:05 for the major score. Another 2-point conversion was attempted, this time with Allen calling his own number with the desired results. Baker’s 32-yard FG closed the scoring in the quarter with Montreal holding a 45-28 advantage. The final stanza of play was a low scoring affair when compared to the other periods as both defences tightened. Passaglia’s 33-yard FG attempt just 56 seconds into play sailed wide but still scored a single. Afterwards, Philpot hooked up with Allen for a 15-yard major at 13:57. Another 2-point convert was attempted by Allen but was unsuccessful making the final score from rustic Molson Stadium, Montreal 45, BC 35. The win propels Montreal into the East Division final next Sunday in Toronto.