Okay, I’ll admit it.  I enjoy every bit of the CFL season.  But nothing compares to the energy and intensity of the playoffs for me.

As big a leap as the intensity meter makes from pre-season to regular season, it goes up to quantum proportions once the playoffs arrive.  Some teams respond well to the pressure, some don’t.  So it’s always interesting to watch the games play out.

Last weekend, I was sure home field and weather would play huge roles in the outcomes of the games.  Sure enough, there were rabid fans in Montreal and gusty winds in Edmonton.

In both games, though, the outcomes were settled on the field without much impact from those external forces.

In Montreal, Kevin Glenn’s ability to escape pressure consistently just long enough to push the ball deep to Chris Williams and Bakari Grant really swung the game Hamilton’s way, as did a couple of huge runs by Marcus Thigpen and Avon Cobourne. Even with Anthony Calvillo piling up over 500+ yards through the air himself, the Als’ D just couldn’t corral Glenn long enough to come out on top in the overtime thriller.

Out west in Edmonton, the Stamps couldn’t overcome a couple of early turnovers by Drew Tate and a handful of untimely penalties to steal a road win. With the Esks’ defence getting constant penetration, Tate just couldn’t get anything going with his banged up receiving corps. Even when Calgary went to Henry Burris in the second half for a spark, there simply weren’t any yards to be had against Edmonton’s stingy defence.

Two great games, two hard-fought wins.  I couldn’t be more excited to see how it all translates into momentum for this weekend’s divisional finals.

FT55’s SEMI-FINAL HEROES

1)    Kevin Glenn—275 yards passing in a hostile environment, just clutch

2)    Bakari Grant—130 yards receiving, a monster day

3)    Rod Davis—nine tackles, constant pressure, simply beastly

4)    Greg Peach—two sacks, pure disruptance

5)    Anthony Calvillo—71% passing, 513 yards, 3 TDs, plenty left in the tank

6)    S.J. Green—eight grabs for 142 yards, that’s big-game

7)    Jon Cornish—127 yards rushing, single-handedly kept Calgary’s offence in business

HOW THE FINALS WILL GO DOWN

East

It seems very strange to be breaking down a post-season game without the Montreal Alouettes involved, but that’s exactly what we’re staring down this weekend.  With Hamilton making it through to face the Bombers in Winnipeg, it’ll mark the fourth meeting of the clubs this season. Winnipeg won all three behind big plays and mean defence, but I wouldn’t feel to safe using those games as an accurate barometer for this week’s tilt.  Not with a resurgent Kevin Glenn in charge of Hamilton’s attack these days. Look for the Ticats to move the ball well on Winnipeg’s D, especially on gashing runs by Avon Cobourne. Points, however, will be another matter.  The Bombers’ front seven will get more disciplined pressure on Glenn than Montreal got last week, enough more to make the difference in fact.

West

Edmonton pulled off an efficient, defence-fueled win  at home last weekend.  For their efforts, they’ll get a trip to B.C. Place to face a hungry Lions club. And they be doing it without RB Jerome Messam in the backfield. B.C. should be rested and ready to shake off the ghosts of Ricky Ray past.  The Lions’ aggressive defence should keep Ray and company off balance enough to give the Lions a real shot at playing in their own Grey Cup next week.

FINAL PREDICTIONS DOOMED TO GO WRONG

Logic’s gotten me nowhere this season, so I’m going with my gut again in the finals.  The belly says it’s a Winnipeg/B.C. Grey Cup.

UP NEXT

Check back early in the week to catch my take on what went down in the Divisional Finals. I’ll also be looking ahead to the Cup with some preliminary thoughts on the eventual match up.

Until then, take care.