Grey Cup 2008: Calgary Stampeders Defeat Montreal Alouettes

Photos

CFL Week 7 Review....Week 8 Preview

see larger image

uploaded by mr.zoltanblack

The Calgary Stampeders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 22-14 to win the 96th Grey Cup.

The championship game, which pitted the league's top two offenses, turned out to be a low-scoring affair. The main offensive weapon for the Stampeders was kicker Sandro DeAngelis who connected on five field goals, including a 50-yarder that helped seal the victory.

The game got off to a slow start as Montreal kicker Damon Duval nailed a field goal for the only score of the first quarter. DeAngelis responded in the second quarter with a three-pointer. Montreal scored the first touchdown of the game as Avon Cobourne ran for a 16-yard score. Duval then scored another field goal, giving Montreal a 13-3 lead. Calgary quarterback Henry Burris connected with receiver Brett Ralph for a 20-yard touchdown to close the gap to 13-10 at halftime.

In the fourth quarter, Calgary's league-leading defense took over.  Alouettes QB Anthony Calvillo was intercepted by Dwight Anderson, allowing for another DeAngelis field goal that would give the Stamps a five-point lead. Calvillo had another pass picked off by Shannon James leading to a 50-yard DeAngelis field goal that extended the lead to eight points. Calvillo and the Alouettes were unable to put together a late-game rally and the Stampeders won the game by a score of 22-14.

Not surprisingly, Ontario-native DeAngelis was named the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian while quarterback Henry Burris was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

The award was sweet revenge for Burris, a quarterback with a reputation for not being able to win in big-game situations. Burris choked back tears in post-game interviews knowing that he had won a title and quieted his critics.