Stamps win and await playoff fate

Lions aim to build momentum for West semifinal

B.C. Lions’ Robert Carter is tackled by Calgary Stampeders’ Micah Teitz in Calgary, Saturday. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press)

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders didn’t know if they were done for the year after their regular-season finale in the CFL. They avoided elimination from playoff contention with a 32-13 victory over the visiting B.C. Lions on Saturday, but will spend a few days in football limbo during a season-ending bye week awaiting the outcome of next Friday’s game between the Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-9) to know their fate.

Calgary (9-9) needs the team they just beat to defeat the Blue Bombers, which would vault the Stampeders into the post-season picture. It’s an awkward headspace for Stampeders coaches and players to be in as they have zero influence over their playoff chances now and must depend on a divisional rival to do them a favour.

“It’s a little awkward,” concurred Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. “We could have helped ourselves out earlier in the year. You can’t go back on it. It is what it is. We’re just going to sit back and see what happens.”

The Edmonton Elks secured first in the West Division with Friday’s win over the Blue Bombers, which also allowed the Lions to clinch second. The Elks will host the division final Nov. 7, with the victor advancing to the Grey Cup game in Calgary on Nov. 15. The Lions host the division semifinal Oct. 31 with their opponent still to be determined.

Calgary could conceivably finish third, fourth, or out of the playoffs if the division, but the Lions prevailing Friday is the key to the Stampeders continuing to play this season. The Blue Bombers went 2-1 against the Stampeders this season and would thus finish higher in the event of a tie.

“We know the West, it’s always tight and it’s a really good division, man, really good teams,” Adams said. “It just sucks that so many close games we lost early on in the season that could have gone a different way, a play here and play there. Just can’t do anything about the past. Hopefully some things shake our way.”

Adams said the Stampeders have to keep working and lock in before the next game. Calgary’s defence and special teams had a strong showing against B.C., while the offence had its moments but needs to improve. The Stampeders now wait for the result of the Winnipeg game to learn whether they will continue their season.