PAR EDE S BOOTS STAMP S TO SEASON- OPENING STUNNER

The Grey Cup rematch was in turn sloppy, thrilling, penalty-riddled and entertaining. In the end, thrilling was the operative word.

Rene Paredes kicked a 50-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Calgary Stampeders to a 24-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Stamps weren’t exactly the neat package they had hoped to present in the 2015 CFL season opener, but they delighted 28,487 at McMahon Stadium with a drive in the last 44 seconds of the game, culminating with the Paredes boot.

Calgary starter Bo Levi Mitchell had three interceptions and one touchdown, while receiver Jeff Fuller snared nine passes for 149 yards — the biggest a crucial reception to convert a third down in the final minute.

But the important stat was the tally on the scoreboard.