Riders look to end Winnipeg blues in CFL West final

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are looking to end an unfortunate streak that has been building in Winnipeg.

The Green and White haven’t won in Winnipeg since the 2018 Labour Day Classic rematch, also known as the Banjo Bowl. Since then, the Riders have gone 0-8 against the Bombers in their home stadium.

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Saskatchewan take on the Bombers in the CFL West Division final at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m.

A win would mean a lot to long snapper Jorgen Hus, who has played with the Riders since 2015 and has never reached the Grey Cup game.

“It’s crazy — you figure nine teams in a league you would get to a couple Grey Cups in a career 10 years long but it’s still rare,” Hus said. “I’ve been to three finals — two west finals and an east final where we crossed over, so there’s no guarantees of getting there.”

Along with Hus, kicker Brett Lauther was also on the 2018 team that got a win in Winnipeg.

“I think it’s like coming (to Mosaic Stadium). It’s loud and hostile and they have been a really good team for the past few years,” Lauther said.

“We think we’re a good team too, and we are going to go over there and do our best to try and come out with a win.”

The Bombers have also won the past two West finals between the two clubs. Winnipeg defeated the Riders at Mosaic Stadium 20-13 in 2019 before winning the 2021 edition in Winnipeg with a 21-17 decision.

Riders slotback Mitch Picton played in that 2021 West final.

“That might have been the coldest game I have been a part of,” Picton said.

But he did learn some valuable lessons from that game as well.

“Just kind of what it’s like to play in a big game like that with poor conditions and the horrible weather but just what it takes (to win). You watch them — they didn’t crack under pressure, it was a tight game but they were able to beat us,” Picton said.

This will be the fourth meeting between the two clubs, excluding their preseason game. Winnipeg holds a 2-1 edge after the Riders won the first meeting but then lost the Labour Day Classic and the rematch.

While Winnipeg has had the Riders’ number in recent meetings, Hus said the team believes they can earn the win this time around.

“There’s just a quiet confidence around this team and locker room,” Hus said. “Everyone just believes, and I think when that happens, you can be pretty dangerous.

“But we still have to prove it. We still have to go out there and have a lot of work to do and Winnipeg is no slouch, obviously, and it is a hostile environment to play in. We have our work cut out for us and it’s definitely a challenge, but this group is up for it.”

The Riders will be without left tackle Trevor Reid, who suffered a knee injury against the B.C. Lions in the West semifinal. Trevon Tate will move from right tackle to the left side with Logan Ferland kicking out to right tackle.

Read more:

• ‘Go Riders!’: Sask. family shares 75 years of green & white pride
• Huskies and Rams alumni relive the 2002 Hardy Cup final