Stampeders and Redblacks miss key opportunities in first CFL tie since 2009

The CFL made some history Friday night thanks to the Calgary Stampeders - Ottawa Redblacks game finishing in a 26-26 tie, which CFL communications director Paulo Senra tweeted is the first tie in the league since a 2009 44-44 Calgary-Saskatchewan clash. It's also the first tie for an Ottawa-based CFL team since the Rough Riders tied the Eskimos 16-16 back in 1986, according to Sportsnet's stats. While the tie was highly unusual to see, and an appropriate way to end a game where there wasn't much between these sides, it came about largely thanks to missed opportunities from both teams.

That was particularly apparent near the end of regulation, where Calgary looked like they'd stopped Ottawa's drive several times only to extend it with undisciplined penalties, but the Redblacks then gave the ball right back with a Nic Grigsby fumble near the goal line that preserved the tie. (Interestingly enough, linebacker Alex Singleton committed one of the worst penalties with a needless hit on an already-down Trevor Harris, but then redeemed himself by forcing Grigsby's fumble.) The Stampeders then had their own chances to pull off a regulation victory, but couldn't even get far enough forward to punt for the win, and the Redblacks opted to kneel out the clock instead of trying a final play after they got the ball back.

It was a similar story in overtime, where both teams had great opportunities for touchdowns and wound up settling for field goals. In particular, Calgary got a first and goal from the four on their second possession, but then called two straight passes, both of which wound up falling incomplete. That's an interesting playcalling choice from head coach and offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson, considering that the Stampeders have an excellent smash-mouth running back in Jerome Messam (who only received eight overall carries on the night). The Redblacks' issues weren't as much about the playcalling as about the execution, as they could have won if Jermaine Robinson hadn't dropped an easy interception after Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was hit while throwing. Ottawa also had a great chance on the final drive, but Trevor Harris' throw was behind Greg Ellingson and he couldn't quite bring it in. In the end, the tie seemed about a deserved result.

There were plenty of great moments in this one too, of course. Redblacks' wide receiver Chris Williams had an outstanding day, collecting 130 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches. Ellingson also had a good game, making nine catches for 101 yards, and Calgary receivers Joe West and Bakari Grant (99 and 89 yards respectively) were solid as well. Both quarterbacks threw for over 300 yards, with Harris completing 39 of 50 passes (78 per cent) for 396 yards and three touchdowns (with one interception) and Mitchell notching 29 completions on 43 attempts (67.4 per cent) for 368 yards and two touchdowns (with one interception), and both teams came up with some good defensive plays. In the end, though, neither team could take full advantage of their opportunities late in this one. They both had excellent chances to win, but couldn't pull it off, and that makes the tie seem about right.