Game Summary

Tied for the lead in the West Division the Calgary Stampeders played host to the struggling Toronto Argonauts. The Argos were welcoming back starting QB Kerwin Bell who was injured during pre-season and looked to improve on their 1-3 record. Both offences had trouble moving the ball early in the game as kickers Noel Prefontaine and Mark McLoughlin exchanged FGs from 26 and 31 yards respectfully in the first stanza of play. At 2:25 of the second quarter Prefontaine’s 47-yard FG attempt at 2:25 missed but still scored a single giving Toronto 1-point cushion. That lead was short lived, however, as Calgary QB Jeff Garcia scrambled into the end zone from 2 yards out at 7:13. McLoughlin’s convert gave Calgary a 9-4 advantage over the visitors. Toronto answered back before the end of the half when Bell threw his first 1998 regular season TD pass, hooking up with SB Derrell Mitchell for a 16-yard play. Prefontaine’s convert made the score 11-10 for the Boatmen at the half. The tight defensive game continued into the second half with the only scoring in the third quarter coming off the foot of Prefontaine when his 41-yard FG attempt at 4:28 sailed wide scoring a single. The see-saw battle continued as Calgary recaptured the lead in the final stanza of play after McLoughlin’s 17-yard FG at 8:28 was successful. Toronto quickly countered when Prefontaine nailed a 8-yard FG at 12:23 restoring Toronto’s 2-point advantage. McLoughlin had a chance to win the game for the Stamps with a 26-yard FG attempt with 4 seconds remaining. The kick hooked wide left scoring a single point and handing Toronto a 15-14 victory while sending the 26,061 Calgary faithful home disappointed. The loss drops Calgary out of first place in the West Division while solidifying Toronto’s third place standing in the East.