Fans follow along for Redblacks’ roller-coaster ride of a Grey Cup
The Ottawa Redblacks served up another roller-coaster ride of a Grey Cup as their fans followed along from 3,500 kilometres away.
Hundreds of plaid-clad fans flocked to Lansdowne Park to take in the big game on the big screen in the comfort of one of the many pubs on the plaza across from the home team’s home turf, TD Place.
5:55 P.M.
Local Public Eatery is packed to the rafters with red and black plaid. If anyone in here is wearing Calgary colours, they’re keeping it discreet. Half the screens are still showing the NFL Sunday nighter as TSN broadcasters go through the keys to the game. I’m assuming that involves scoring more than the other team.
6:10 P.M.
The first “Go Redblacks!” cheers emerge as the team takes the field. Meanwhile, groups of people are being turned away in droves as the bar reaches capacity.
6:20 P.M.
Redblacks mascot Big Joe makes a surprise entrance at Local, accompanied by two cheerleaders as he fires up the fans, but I can’t help wondering who’s gonna wield that chainsaw in Edmonton?
6:30 P.M.
The fans stand at attention and join in as Brett Kissel handles the anthem and a huge cheer goes up for Calgary’s opening kickoff.
6:45 P.M.
The refs draw the fans’ ire on an early penalty, but all is soon forgiven as J.R. Tavai gets through to Bo Levi Mitchell for the first sack of the game. The crowd erupts as Jonathan Rose picks off Mitchell in the end zone.
7:02 P.M.
Cheers turn to groans as Lemar Durant drops a pass with Mitchell scrambling, ending a Stamps drive, but they get the ball right back as Trevor Harris is picked off. Momentum swinging like a pendulum.
Stunned silence as Calgary RB Don Jackson pulls down a pass and runs it in untouched, uncovered and uncontested for the game’s first score. 7-0 Calgary.
7:15 P.M.
Fans try to telekinetically guide Lewis Ward’s 48-yard field goal attempt, but he misses wide left as the first quarter comes to a close.
7:20 P.M.
Fans break out the high-fives and a raucous “Let’s go Redblacks!” as Ward finally gives the faithful something to cheer about, nailing a 30-yard field goal to put Ottawa on the board. 7-3.
7:42 P.M.
The roller-coaster ride continues as Durant increases the Calgary lead, the Redblacks pick off Mitchell for a second time, but then give it right back on a William Powell fumble. 14-3.
7:50 P.M.
Fans holler “Yes!” as Greg Ellingson breaks the plane and Trevor Harris pulls off a two-point convert, then shout “No!” as Terry Williams takes a punt return the distance, a Grey Cup record 97 yards with one second left in the half. 21-11 Calgary.
8:45 P.M.
Fans have renewed hope in the second half as Ward’s 41-yard attempt is good, but Calgary gets it right back with a 34-yarder of their own. 24-14.
9:09 P.M.
Harsh reality setting in for an increasingly quiet crowd as Diontae Spencer drops a punt return on the Ottawa 25 and Rene Parades makes them pay, booting a 29-yard field goal through the uprights. 27-14.
“Go! Go! Noooo!” Ellingson can’t hang on to a TD pass, and Brad Sinopoli drops a last-ditch attempt as Ottawa turns it over on downs.
The white-gloved Mounties carrying the Grey Cup onto the field is just rubbing it in at this point.
“Ouch!” Harris long bomb is picked off. Fans are finishing their beers with one eye on the exit.
“Cheque please!” Harris is intercepted with little more than a minute left. The plaid vanishes under winter coats. A safety makes it 27-16. It’s all over but the crying.
The crying.