Week 9: Cats Lose Close One In Winnipeg

You can't really blame the 'Cats for trying. They knew they would be in tough against the East Division leading Blue Bombers in their contest this past Friday night in the Manitoba capital, but for what it was worth, it was a rather interesting game.

The key to the Black and Gold's success was to attempt to contain the Bombers' quarterback Buck Pierce; however, trying to keep him under wraps is like what Principal Skinner said to Sideshow Bob of Bart Simpson in Day of Jackanapes, "That kid's like the Road Runner -- he won't go down".. unless of course, you happen to be Jamall Johnson. Regardless, Pierce ended up completing 19 of his 34 passes for 293 yards; the majority of which were to wide out Terrance Edwards. The Pierce-to-Edwards connection would be made 6 times; earning the duo 120 yards and one touchdown.

At one point in the 2nd quarter, the Ti-Cats would be trailing the Blue and Gold 17-3, but they would claw back to tie the game by halftime; thanks to a 49-yard Kevin Glenn touchdown completion to Chris Williams that the Bombers disputed and ended up receiving 20 yards in penalties that were applied to the ensuing kickoff, then followed up by a 43-yard touchdown hook-up to Bakari Grant. The Tabbies would have taken the lead, but the winds at CanadInns Stadium would play havoc on Justin "Mr. Money In The Bank" Medlock as he ended up missing two long-range field goal attempts to the left.

The Cats had a prime opportunity to take the lead on the opening drive in the 2nd half when Glenn would find Chris Williams again for a 64-yard completion. Williams was just about to hit the Promised Land when the ball was stripped by Joe Lobendahn on the 1-yard line and recovered in the end zone by the Bombers. Critics say that Williams let up just before the end zone, but the replays show that his progress was impeded by the crossing of Dave Stala in front of him; definitely not a quality play by "Sticky". Despite the botch, #80 would rack up 162 yards on 7 receptions over the night. The Bombers would eventually score a field goal later in the 3rd frame, but would be followed by a Black and Gold drive that culminated with a Quinton Porter 1-yard dash to put our Boys on Balsam up by 4 heading into the Final 15.

The quarter would open the 4th with a Medlock 39-yard field goal to extend the lead, but another Pierce-to-Edwards touchdown hook-up for 12 yards -- followed later by a Justin Palardy 21-yard field goal -- would put the Waifs from Winnipeg up by 3 in the 4th quarter. The Black and Gold would try valiantly to pull even with the Bombers, but their last minute drives proved futile and the Ti-Cats would leave the 'Peg with a 30-27 loss that would put them at a disadvantage in the tie-breaker should the seemingly unlikely event the residents of Swaggerville collapse and end up tied with the Tabbies at the end of the season.

What's On Tap...

Around this time, Ti-Cat fans would be singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" as the next game on the schedule for their beloved Black and Gold is the annual Labour Day Classic; however, this year, the crooning of the ditty will have a distinct Québecois accent as the defending Grey Cup champions return for their last of two visits to the Bastion on Balsam this regular season. The Alouettes are looking to avenge their 34-26 loss to the Cats back in Week 5, but the Black and Gold always step up their game for this one. Kick-off is this coming Monday at 1pm on TSN, but we'll be live tweeting from our roost in Section 22. Hopefully there won't be a repeat from a couple weeks ago and the skies will remain clear for the game.

I would also like to remind those who'll be attending the game that this will also be the "Purolator Tackle Hunger" game. As someone who's previously volunteered at a food bank, I cannot stress how critical the need is to help those who can't afford groceries because their other expenditures are too high. So please, if you're making the trek to Ivor Wynne on Monday for the game, donate some non-perishable food items -- some canned pasta, a jar of peanut butter, or some non-expired baby food -- or even make a cash donation and help those in need in these trying times. As a bonus, you'll be able to get your picture taken with the Grey Cup. When I did this last year, I was fortunate enough to get my photo taken not only with the prestigious trophy, but with Ti-Cat legends Cookie Gilcrest and Angelo "King Kong" Mosca.

Until next week Tigertown, oskee wee wee!