CFL East & West Finals 2006

by user Erooster

The Toronto Argonauts are traveling to Percival Molson Stadium to face the Montreal Alouettes for the fifth consecutive Eastern Final. This is only the third time in league history that two teams have faced each other five consecutive times for the finals, the second time in the East. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Rough Riders faced each other from 1963 to 1967 in the East Finals. In the West Finals, the Saskatchewan Roughriders faced the Calgary Stampeders from 1967 to 1971.

Four 2006 CFL All-Stars will take part in this game, including Montreal offensive guard Scott Flory and Toronto receiver Arland Bruce III, cornerback Byron Parker and kicker Noel Prefontaine.

Regular Season Statistics

Standings:

Alouettes -- 1st place, East Division.

Argonauts -- 2nd place, East Division.

Alouettes Leaders:

Offence

• Calvillo, 4,714 passing yards and 20 passing TDs;
• Cahoon, 99 receptions, 1,190 receiving yards and 4 receiving TDs;
• R. Edwards, 1,155 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs.

Defence

• Stewart, 9 sacks;
• Cox, Karikari and Sanchez, 3 INTs.

Argonauts Leaders:

Offence

• Allen, 2,567 passing yards and 12 passing TDs;
• Bruce, 77 receptions, 1,370 receiving yards and 11 receiving TDs;
• R. Williams, 526 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs.

Defence

• Brown, 6 sacks;
• Parker, 8 INTs.

Alouettes Leaders: Offence -- Calvillo, 4,714 passing yards and 20 passing TDs; Cahoon, 99 receptions, 1,190 receiving yards and 4 receiving TDs; R. Edwards, 1,155 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs. Defence -- Stewart, 9 sacks; Cox, Karikari and Sanchez, 3 INTs.

Argonauts Leaders: Offence -- Allen, 2,567 passing yards and 12 passing TDs; Bruce, 77 receptions, 1,370 receiving yards and 11 receiving TDs; R. Williams, 526 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Defence -- Brown, 6 sacks; Parker, 8 INTs.

Alouettes Team Rank: Passing Offence -- 270.3 yards per game (3rd in CFL); Rushing Offence -- 97.8 ypg (6th); Total Offence -- 343.3 ypg (5th). Passing Defence -- 256.8 ypg (5th); Rushing Defence -- 109.2 ypg (6th); Total Defence -- 347 ypg (5th).

Argonauts Team Rank: Passing Offence -- 215.9 ypg (8th); Rushing Offence -- 88.9 ypg (7th); Total Offence -- 284.9 ypg (7th). Passing Defence -- 224.7 ypg (1st); Rushing Defence -- 135.0 ypg (8th); Total Defence -- 343 ypg (4th).

Last Meeting: Oct. 28; Alouettes 24-20. Montreal clinches first place in East Division.

Streaks and Notes: Alouettes -- Have defeated the Argonauts in three of past four East Championships. Argonauts -- Have won two straight at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.

Road/Home Records: Alouettes -- 5-4 at home. Argonauts -- 5-4 the road.

Despite losing the final season game against the Alouettes, I think that the Boatmen will find a way to win.

Final score: Montreal 32 - Toronto 33.

In the West Final, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are going to BC Place to face the British Columbia Lions. Saskatchewan was the only team this season to defeat the Lions at home. In the last finals meeting between these two teams, the Lions defeated the Green Riders 27 - 25 in overtime. The likely starter for the Lions Dave Dickenson has been battered by the Rider defense this year.

There will be 11 CFL All-Stars playing in this game. Those include Lions receiver Geroy Simon, offensive tackle Rob Murphy, defensive end Brent Johnson, defensive tackle Tyrone Williams, linebacker Otis Floyd, defensive back Korey Banks, safety Barron Miles and Roughriders offensive tackle Gene Makowsky, centre Jeremy O’Day, defensive end Fred Perry and defensive back Eddie Davis.

Regular Season Statistics

Standings: Lions -- 1st place, West Division. Roughriders -- 3rd place, West Division.

Lions Leaders: Offence -- Dickenson, 2,869 passing yards and 20 passing TDs; Simon, 99 receptions, 1,756 receiving yards and 14 receiving TDs; Smith, 831 rushing yards and 9 rushing TDs. Defence -- Johnson, 16 sacks; Miles, 9 INTs.

Roughriders Leaders: Offence -- Joseph, 3,489 passing yards and 22 passing TDs; Dominguez, 72 receptions, 1,169 receiving yards and 5 receiving TDs; Keith, 1,037 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Defence -- Perry, 14 sacks; Bush, 5 INTs.

Lions Team Rank: Passing Offence -- 293.7 yards per game (1st in CFL); Rushing Offence -- 100.2 ypg (5th); Total Offence -- 370.4 ypg (2nd). Passing Defence -- 243.9 ypg (3rd); Rushing Defence -- 91.1 ypg (2nd); Total Defence -- 304 ypg (3rd).

Roughriders Team Rank: Passing Offence -- 241.7 ypg (5th); Rushing Offence -- 131.2 ypg (2nd); Total Offence -- 346.2 ypg (4th). Passing Defence -- 247.8 ypg (4th); Rushing Defence -- 82.3 ypg (1st); Total Defence -- 302 ypg (2nd).

Last Meeting: Sept. 24; Roughriders 23-20 (OT). Andy Fantuz scores game-winning touchdown in overtime.

Streaks and Notes: Lions -- Hosting third consecutive Scotiabank West Championship (1-1 record). Roughriders -- Have won three of four games against B.C. in 2006.

Final Score: Saskatchewan 23 - BC 19

Road/Home Records: Lions -- 8-1 at home. Roughriders -- 3-6 the road.

Statistics from cfl.ca