Friday, November 09, 2012

The Semi Finals: Edmonton at Toronto (November 11)


After far too many years, there will be Canadian football in Toronto in November.

It's a semi final home date for Toronto that brings the Edmonton Eskimos to the Rogers Centre and while we imagine the Argonauts might have found a better pay day had their neighbours in Hamilton been able to make the playoffs, the visiting Eskimos will fill in nicely we're sure.

The Eskimos make the trek eastbound after having laid claim to the CFL crossover option, accumulating a better record than the East's Hamilton and Winnipeg n the 2012 regular season, and while they did stumble down the stretch, the bottom feeders of the East never quite seemed able to put together a winning streak to secure a playoff spot.

The match up between Esks and Argos does provide for some interesting sidebars.

The recent dismissal of Eskimo GM Eric Tillman has had conspiracy theorists working overtime this week. With rumours percolating through the league that Tillman is destined for Toronto, which if it happens would clearly give us a fellow on a grassy knoll...

There's Ricky Ray, the Argos quarterback and former marquee player for the Eskimos, traded by Tillman to Toronto, who is finally back to his usual high standard of play, a positive thing for the Double Blue, not so much for the Green and Gold.

Beyond all that drama however, it all comes down to the football, who scores the most points, who gives up the least.

It will be up to the Eskimo defence to shut down Ray, otherwise, the trip east will be the last of the travel arrangements required, except for the trips back to their winter homes.

Game Time 1 PM ET, 11 AM MT, 10 AM PT Rogers Centre TSN

Edmonton 26 at Toronto 42 (25,792)
Toronto Advances to Eastern Final November 18th in Montreal

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Previews

National Post-- Argos struggle to grab a piece of the action
Toronto Star-- Argos need to find a way to stop the Eskimos' Fred Stamps
Toronto Sun-- There's no place like home for Boatmen
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos quarterback Joseph returning to the scene of his prime
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Eskimos put the ball in Kerry Joseph's hands for Sunday
Canada.com-- Ray insists he's not focused on former team

Team Backgrounders

Edmonton Eskimos
Toronto Argonauts

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Review

National Post-- Ricky Ray trade comes full circle in Argonauts' playoff victory over Eskimos
Toronto Star-- Coach and QB driving Argos
Toronto Sun-- Record quarter sends Argos to East final
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos not even close to being a contender
Edmonton Sun-- Toronto Argonauts romp to 42-26 win over Edmonton Eskimos...
Canada.com-- Ray gains redemption, leads Argos past Eskimos


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