Yesterday, the Calgary Stampeders battled the Toronto Argonauts for the Grey Cup — the CFL’s (Canadian Football League’s) most coveted trophy.
It was the 105th time the championship football game has been played. The game had all of the excitement and drama that you would expect from a big match; both teams wanted the Cup and fought hard for it.
The Grey Cup was played in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, during a snow storm. The snow added a layer of excitement and drama for the fans because it caused players to slip and slide on the field. The challenging conditions led to several fumbles and drops that helped keep the game close.
After trading scores for four quarters, The Toronto Argonauts won the game. Led by their future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ricky Ray, the “Argos” overcame an eight-point fourth quarter deficit to win 27-24.
A turnover by the Stampeders, with a little over four minutes remaining, was run back 109 yards by Toronto’s Cassius Vaughn. It allowed The Argos to tie the score and take the momentum.
With 49 seconds left, The Argos took their first lead of the game. It would be the only one they needed.
The Calgary Stampeders were the best team in the CFL all season long. However this year, like last year, they came up short in the Grey Cup.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
By Jonathan Tilly
Writing/Discussion Prompt
Championship games are thrilling. The CFL’s Grey Cup is no exception. What is your favourite championship game or series? (Some fans enjoy watching the World Series, Super Bowl, Wimbledon, the NBA Finals, or the Olympics/paraOlympics).
Reading Prompt: Extending Understanding
The Toronto Argonauts came from behind to win the game. Have you ever been a member of a team that overcame adversity to win? Describe that experience and share it with a friend.
Primary
Extend understanding of texts by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge and experience, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them (OME, Reading: 1.6).
Junior
Extend understanding of texts by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them (OME, Reading: 1.6).
Intermediate
Extend understanding of texts, including increasingly complex or difficult texts, by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them (OME, Reading: 1.6).
Language Feature: Team Names
Sports teams have fascinating names. The Calgary Stampeders are named after a iconic event in Calgary, The Stampede. Meanwhile, The Argonauts are named after a band of mythical Greek heroes who set out to find the Golden Fleece in 1300BC.
What is the coolest sports team name that you can think of? What is the weirdest?
