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The Calgary Stampeders have taken the first step towards what they hope will be a happy ending in the 101st Grey Cup on Nov. 24 in Regina.
The Stamps on Saturday became the first team to clinch a spot in the 2013 Canadian Football League playoffs. First, the Red and White took care of business on Friday night at McMahon Stadium by posting a 26-22 comeback win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Then, in an unusual twist, a win by a West Division rival (Edmonton) over an East team (Winnipeg) on Saturday officially assured the Stamps of a playoff berth.
The Friday result meant the Stamps could finish no lower than third in the West while the Bombers’ loss eliminated any possibility of Winnipeg crossing over from the East to snag the third playoff berth in the West at the expense of the Stampeders.
It’s the ninth consecutive season the Stamps will take part in the playoffs, with 2004 being the most recent season the Red and White failed to qualify for the post-season. BC and Montreal are the only teams who have been in the playoffs every year since Calgary last missed out.
Thanks to Friday’s victory, the Stamps (9-2) are also assured of finishing .500 or better for a sixth straight year. The Alouettes (who are 4-6 heading into today’s game against BC) are the only other team who have a chance to be at least 9-9 in every season since 2008, which is the year John Hufnagel took over as Stampeders head coach and general manager.
The Stamps still have plenty of work to do and the next goal is to secure a home playoff game, something the franchise has done four times in the past five years.
9 — Consecutive appearances in the playoffs for Calgary
6 — Trips to the post-season since John Hufnagel took over as head coach and general manager in 2008. Only Wally Buono (12) has taken the Stamps to the playoffs more often
6 — Straight years the Stamps will finish .500 or better. Montreal is the only other team with a chance to accomplish that feat while BC is the only other club that hasn’t been below .500 at least once since 2010