Lions lose 34-29 to Stampeders in CFL West Final

Update 4:34 p.m.
The Calgary Stampeders have defeated the B.C. Lions 34-29 in the CFL West Division Final today at BC Place Stadium. The Stampeders will face the Toronto Argonauts, who earlier won the East Final in Montreal over the Alouettes, in next Sunday’s Grey Cup championship game.

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Tens of thousands of orange-clad B.C. Lions flooded into downtown Vancouver Sunday for a classic Canadian Football League clash.

The favoured Lions squad was the league’s top team this year – and the reigning Grey Cup champion – but the underdog Calgary Stampeders soundlyl thrashed the Lions in their last meeting.

To do their part, Lions fans painted themselves orange, sported orange sneakers and caps, and proudly wore the jerseys of their favourite players as they mobbed the downtown.

Leo Berezan came to the game decked out in orange shades and a Geroy Simon jersey.

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“We’ve got about 24 of us in a hotel room,” said Berezan, who came from Langley for the game. “We’re going to the Grey Cup next week.”

“I bought season tickets in Toronto just so I could get a seat for the Grey Cup.”

Asked to predict a final score, Berezan said, confidently, “36-28 for B.C. – of course.”

Daughter Stephanie also predicted a B.C. win.

“It’s going to be close, but they’re going to win for me,” said Stephanie, wearing a foam football hat and Lions jersey.

“I want B.C. to kick some butt so we see them in the Grey Cup. It’s a B.C. Lions win and I’m predicting it.”

The Terry Fox Plaza was bustling with pre-game excitement as fans streamed down Robson Street by the hundreds to get into the game.

Bars and pubs, many suffering from the lack of Vancouver Canucks business this year, were finally full to the rafters with rabid Lions and Stamps fans.

Winners of Sunday’s Western Division final advance to the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup, Canada’s football championship, to be held in Toronto next Sunday.

The Lions are favourites because they had a better regular season, and because Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate is out with a broken arm.

Another decisive factor could be crowd noise, with over 40,000 fans expected.