Stampeders return to Grey Cup with win over Bombers

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders will play in the Grey Cup game a third straight year after downing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 22-14, in Sunday’s Canadian Football League West Division final.

Eric Rogers led the Stampeders with three touchdown catches, including a 10-yard leaping grab late in the fourth quarter.

Calgary faces the Ottawa Redblacks in next Sunday’s Grey

Cup in Edmonton.

The Redblacks downed the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 46-27, earlier Sunday to take the East Division.

Ottawa will attempt to win its second Grey Cup in three years after beating the Stampeders in the championship game two years ago.

Calgary’s third consecutive appearance in the Grey Cup game is a franchise record. The Stampeders were favoured to win the 2017 and ‘16 Grey Cups, but lost to Toronto and Ottawa respectively.

The Stampeders won the Grey Cup in ‘14.

The last team to appear in three straight Grey Cups was the Montreal Alouettes from 2008 to ‘10. The Als won back-to-back titles in ‘09 and ‘10.

Winnipeg’s Justin Medlock kicked four field goals for the visitors Sunday, including a 57-yarder for a CFL playoff record, in front of an announced 29,268 at McMahon Stadium.

Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 17 of 31 passes for 214 yards and three touchdown throws.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers starter Matt Nichols was 15-for-32 in passing for 156 yards.