10/25/2007 9:42:22 PM

Last Lifeline

Well, it comes down to this. We’ve squandered away every single opportunity that has presented itself thus far this season, and have left ourselves with the following situation: We must beat Saskatchewan tomorrow and win in Hamilton next week in order to have a chance. Second, we must have some help from Calgary and Winnipeg in that they both must beat Montreal in the coming weeks. Only then would we enter the post-season as the third place team in the East. These are the facts…and they are undisputed.
It’s a nice change for me personally to be in the second to last game of the season and have it still mean something. Really, it’s been far too long since I’ve played a meaningful game in October. For my part, I’ve tried to gauge the mood and feel of the team this week coming off of two tough losses to B.C. in the shadow of a do-or-die situation against a very good Roughrider team. I must say that I wonder if we simply have a flare for the dramatic on this team, because I don’ t know if I’ve ever seen us practice as well as we did this past week. The pulse in the locker room is one of confidence and optimism, such that it almost feels as if there may be a second wind blowing through Commonwealth these days.
Saskatchewan however, is a talented and well coached team that will not lay down for anybody. Even though they are naturally anxious to see if B.C. will beat Hamilton tomorrow thus securing them in second place in the West, I guarantee the same physicality shines through that team tomorrow night. They are playing with a tremendous amount of confidence right now and rightly so. They’ve got two very capable quarterbacks that can put up points in a hurry, a skilled group of receivers, and a tailback that may be the most versatile player in the league in Corey Holmes. Defensively, even without Reggie Hunt in the line-up they are still an extremely strong unit that plays with a great deal of pride and conviction – a direct reflection of their coordinator Richie Hall.
All of those things notwithstanding, we’ve got a chance to do the unthinkable and salvage some good in an otherwise disappointing season tomorrow by doing our part in the equation to secure another week of life for ourselves. In order for that to happen, we must finally take ownership of our home field – even if it is the last time we’ll grace it this year. If we can find it within ourselves to play with some pride, conviction and intellect for 60 minutes or so, the win will take care of itself. We’ll need to strike Saskatchewan early and often to push out any illusions that this game may be anything other than a dog fight for them. As for me personally, I have a feeling that I’ll have opportunities to make some plays that could potentially swing the result in our favor – and I have every intention of capitalizing on them.
Last call for play makers, Edmonton’s finest must stand and be recognized. Together we must fight tooth and nail for the right to continue breathing next week. ©

KP8