Labor Day Classics Preview

The 2006 Labour Day Classic Weekend kicks off on Friday with a first place clash as the East-leading Montreal Alouettes play host to the West-leading BC Lions. Friday’s game will be the 68th consecutive regular season sell-out at Percival Molson Stadium.

The action continues on Sunday as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to Mosaic Stadium to battle the Saskatchewan Roughriders. A double-header on Monday will conclude the Labour Day Classics with two heated rivalries as the Calgary Stampeders play host to the Edmonton Eskimos and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats welcome the Toronto Argonauts.

All 2005 Labour Day Classic games were played in front of sold-out crowds (Montreal, Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Calgary).

Please find attached the ‘Labour Day Classic’ logo in jpeg format. If you require a different format, please contact Jamie Dykstra at or 416-865-2664.

Here’s a look at this week’s match-ups:

LIONS (7-3) vs.  ALS (7-3)

Game Day: Friday, Sept. 1        Location: Percival Molson Stadium        

Game Time: 7:30 ET    TV Broadcast: TSN / RDS        

The last meeting between these clubs in Montreal was on Sunday, October 16, 2005. Montreal defeated BC 46-44 in one of the most exciting games of last season. Click here to view the box score and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      After starting the season with seven straight wins, the Als’ have lost their last three games. During Don Matthews’ tenure as Montreal head coach, the Alouettes have never lost four consecutive games. 

-      BC has won five consecutive games.

-      Montreal is 4-1 at home and BC is 3-2 on the road.

-      BC quarterback Dave Dickenson is expected to return after missing two games with an injury.

-      BC is +14 in turnover ratio, Montreal is -1.

-      Montreal kicker Damon Duval had a solid month in August, earning him Rogers Special Teams Player of the Month. Duval connected on 15-of-16 field goal attempts in August.

BOMBERS (5-5) vs. RIDERS (5-5)

Game Day: Sunday, Sept. 3      Location: Mosaic Stadium        

Game Time: 7:30 ET    TV Broadcast: TSN

Last Labour Day Classic contest between these two clubs was won by the Roughriders 45-26. In a losing effort, Winnipeg’s Milt Stegall caught two touchdowns, surpassing Allen Pitts’ record for career pass receiving TDs. Click here to view the box score and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders have met 39 times on Labour Day Classic weekend, dating back to 1939. The ‘Riders hold the advantage with 21 wins.

-      Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett is 3-3 in Labour Day Classic games. Sunday’s contest will be Doug Berry’s first Labour Day Classic as a head coach.

-      Winnipeg’s offence should get a revival out of a possible return by quarterback Kevin Glenn and all-star slotback Milt Stegall.

-      Stegall has 133 career touchdowns, four short of tying the all-time record held by George Reed and Mike Pringle.

-      The Bombers have lost three straight games.

-      Saskatchewan is 3-2 at home and Winnipeg is 3-1 on the road, the best away record in the League.

ESKS (3-6) vs. STAMPS (6-4)

Game Day: Monday, Sept. 4      Location: McMahon Stadium    

Game Time: 3:00 ET    TV Broadcast: CBC     

In 2005 the Edmonton Eskimos defeated the Calgary Stampeders 25-23 on Labour Day. Click here to view the box scores and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      The Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders have played 40 times on Labour Day since 1959. The Eskimos have won 23 times.

-      Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia is 1-0 on Labour Day and Calgary head coach Tom Higgins is 3-2.

-      The Battle of Alberta on Classic Monday has been played in front of a sold-out crowd at McMahon Stadium in 13 of the last 14 games dating back to 1992.

-      Calgary is 4-1 at home this season and Edmonton is winless on the road, 0-4.

-      Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds needs 132 yards to reach a 1,000-yard mark for the season.

-      Calgary has won three straight games.

-      The 2006 season series between these two clubs is 1-1.

ARGOS (5-5) vs. TICATS (2-9)

Game Day: Monday, Sept. 4      Location: Ivor Wynne Stadium  

Game Time: 6:00 ET    TV Broadcast: CBC     

In last season’s Labour Day Classic game between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Ticats edged the Argos 33-30. Click here to view the box scores and stats.

Stats & Facts

-      The Ticats and Argos have played 38 times on Classic Monday since 1949. The Ticats hold a large advantage, winning 27 times.

-      Interim head coach Ron Lancaster has coached the Ticats in six Labour Day Classics and led them to five victories.

-      Toronto’s Michael Clemons is 2-2-1 in Labour Day contests as a head coach.

-      Argonauts’ Damon Allen is 165 yards short of setting a new pro football career passing yards record. The record is currently held by Warren Moon who amassed 70,553 between his years played in the NFL and CFL.

-      Toronto has won three consecutive games, while Hamilton has lost three.