Perry Lefko

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.

Empire Stadium in Vancouver.

Watching the game between the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders at Empire Field - wonder why they don't call it Empire Stadium, which sounds more profound - was very much like the atmosphere at Molson Stadium in Montreal. The place was packed, noisy and really showcased the landscape around the park - again, much like Montreal.

B.C. Place is being renovated, so the onetime home of the Lions has become their home again. And it fits into the expression everything old is new again, which is kind of the CFL's retro theme.

If Molson Stadium could be given a significant facelift - and many upgrades since the permanent move from the Big Owe in 1998 - why couldn't the same be the case for Empire Field. Play important games at B.C. Place - such as next year's Grey Cup and perhaps playoff games - and use Empire Field for regular-season games.

One thing which will work against the Lions is the advantage they enjoy playing in B.C. Place against Eastern teams. Not only are the East teams battling a three-hour time difference, they also face the noise and, perhaps more importantly, the incredible humidity inside the Dome. And if it rains, which is likely to happen in Vancouver, it could compromise another advantage the Lions had playing inside.

SPEAKING OF STADIUMS: There is so much going on in Hamilton with owner/caretaker Bob Young's attempt to build a new stadium, while the city council provides a stiff arm. The big question is, why is Young even bothering? Will the Tiger-Cats (or the Bobcats as I like to call them) ever become a championship-calibre team? Since 1999, they really haven't done much. So even if they build a new stadium, will it amount to more fan appreciation and a better product on the field? It was a healthy crowd of 25,000-plus for the opener - and many patrons were waiting outside even after the game started because of long lineups - but the same-old, same-old product on the field didn't help.

I've always thought Ivor Wynne is the best stadium in the CFL (followed by Mosaic Stadium in Regina) because of the proximity to the field (in some cases a little too close with the retaining wall). I truly believe if the product is top-notch the people will come.

Incidentally, an anonymous letter was sent to the Hamilton media suggesting the new site chosen for a prospective stadium is atop an ancient Native burial ground. It's a totally bogus claim and the Hamilton media hasn't really run with it.

GREAT CALLS: (1) On the final play of the first half between Toronto and Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers kicked the ball along the ground to prevent a runback, only to see the Argos boot the ball back. It landed in the end zone and the Argos scored a point, executing a play that is rarely used. What was interesting is that the Argos had the presence of mind to try the kick and the player who did it, Ejiro Kuale, is an American, some of whom are still learning the finer intricacies of the CFL game. Moreover, Kuale is a defensive lineman, who rarely touch the ball, let alone kick it. (2) After Montreal intercepted an Edmonton pass for a touchdown, Als head coach Marc Trestman opted for a two-point convert to give his team a three-point play. It was an interesting decision because normally a two-point play is called following an offensive touchdown, and with the offence in rhythm. How often is it that the offence is suddenly shuttled on to the field following a defensive score something other than a one-point convert.

QUESTIONABLE CALL: (1) Hamilton head coach Marcel Bellefeuille opted to try a field goal from 59 yards out to try and beat Calgary on the final play of the game instead of punting for a single and the tie. Bellefeuille figured that was a better option, but how often are 59-yard field goals successful? According to kicker Sandro DeAngelis, who supported the decision, about two out of 10 times. He compared it to a Hail Mary pass. Onetime CFL coach Don Matthews was of the belief that if a team is expecting its kicker to make a field goal 50 yards or more, it's asking a lot. (2) Hamilton failed to score on three cracks from two yards or less, using a running play with the tailback, a quarterback sneak and a pass. Why didn't it try a fake handoff to the running back on the second play and have the quarterback bootleg across the formation? Surely running the same play twice, albeit with a twist, would have fooled the opposition.

THIS AND THAT: It was a tough game all around for DeAngelis, who played with a heavy heart following a death in the family. He missed the funeral, which was attended by family and relatives that were going to watch him play in his first regular-season game playing for the Ticats at home. And he faced his former team for the first time, and, at least one ex-teammate, Nik Lewis, dissed him. Yes, DeAngelis is cocky, but how many kickers don't have a bit of a swagger?…Because Noel Prefontaine was a late scratch due to an injury, Edmonton plucked backup kicker Derek Schiavone off the nine-game injured list. Teams can only do that once in the first nine games and once again in the second nine games. That meant regular returner Tristan Jackson, who was close to being healthy again and is one of the best in the league, can't be brought back ahead of time…The Eskimos played the game against Montreal with their third-string safety. Meanwhile, the Als lost their first-string safety early in the game and had to go with his backup…Injuries are already starting to catch up with the Eskimos, specifically on defence…Paris Jackson, who is a big part of B.C.'s receiving brigade, has only five catches for 65 yards in his first two games. In Edmonton, Kamau Peterson, voted the top Canadian two years ago, has only five catches for 45 yards…Hard to believe B.C.'s Brent Johnson, one of the premier Canadians and rush ends in the league, is being rotated in and out instead of starting.

QUOTE UNQUOTE:

"I don't have the money. I have four kids. I can't afford it."

Bellefeuille making it crystal clear to the media that he wasn't specifically talking about the officiating when he talked about wanting more consistency. But he had every right to gripe about the officials' inconsistency, calling some plays against Ticat defenders, while failing to call similar infractions against Calgary

"I feel like I let 41 other guys down. I didn't do my part."

DeAngelis talking about going two-for-four against Calgary

"I wasn't nervous. I felt pretty good. I knew that our offence was going to get the ball back and I was going to make the kick."

Calgary rookie kicker Rob Maver talking about his emotions leading up to the field goal that proved to be the game-winning points against Hamilton

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

OFFENCE: Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce: Completed 25 of 35 passes for 366 yards (including three touchdowns and one interception) and ran seven times for 103 yards, including one touchdown and one fumble). Runnerup: B.C. receiver Geroy Simon: Six catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

DEFENCE: Saskatchewan rush end Brent Hawkins: Two tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery and a touchdown; Runnerup: Montreal safety Etienne Boulay: Eight tackles and one interception.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Toronto returner Chad Owens: One touchdown off a missed field goal, four kickoff returns for 103 yards and five punt returns for 52 yards. Runnerup: Schiavone: Converted five of six field goals and averaged 44.8 yards on four punts.