Game Summary

Adidas Friday Night Football on TSN featured one of the season’s premier match-ups as the Calgary Stampeders visited the Montreal Alouettes in Molson Stadium. Both teams entered the game leading their divisions with 6-2 records and both teams were riding three game winning streaks. Montreal jumped to an early lead when QB Tracy Ham scampered into the end zone from 6 yards out at 7:35 of the first quarter. K Terry Baker’s convert was good to make the score 7-0 for the Als. K Mark McLoughlin quickly replied for Calgary, however, nailing a 50-yard FG at 9:56 to finish the scoring in the quarter. In the second stanza Montreal once again opened the scoring with a rushing TD as RB Mike Pringle busted his way into the end zone from 2 yards out. Baker’s convert gave Montreal a 14-3 advantage at 0:59. McLoughlin responded for Calgary once again, however, hoofing a 9-yard FG at 4:53. But Pringle added to Montreal’s lead scoring his second rushing TD of the night as he carried the ball in from the 1-yard line. Baker’s convert was successful making the score 21-6 in favour of the Alouettes at 9:46. McLoughlin and Baker would exchange FGs from 12 and 43 yards respectively to complete the scoring in the first half with Montreal leading by a 24-9 margin. Montreal SB Jock Climie opened the scoring in the third quarter making a spectacular 23-yard catch 2:02 into play. Baker’s convert was good. McLoughlin continued to account for all of Calgary’s scoring in the game nailing FGs from 20 and 30 yards cutting Montreal’s lead to 16 points. A turnover lead to the next scoring play when Calgary QB Jeff Garcia’s pass was intercepted by CB Irvin Smith setting up Baker’s second FG of the night, a 15-yard attempt at 11:12. McLoughlin chipped in a 39-yard FG with 12 seconds remaining in the quarter making the score 34-18 for the home team after three periods of play. In the final stanza, FB Duane Forde scored Calgary’s first major of the night as he punched the ball in from the 1-yard line 11 seconds into play. McLoughlin’s convert cut the Als lead to 9 points, but Montreal responded to the challenge when Baker struck a pair of FGs from 30 and 44 yards respectively. Calgary attempted a late rally as Allen Pitts caught the 95th receiving TD pass of his career cutting the lead to 8 points after McLoughlin’s convert. It was not enough, however, as Montreal went on to win in a thrilling match by a 40-32 score. The win placed Montreal in a first place in the East Division with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats while dropping Calgary into a first place tie in the West Division with their arch rivals, the Edmonton Eskimos.