1999
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:24 pm
1999
Following the team's outstanding finish in 1998 and with the Grey Cup game to be played in Vancouver, expectations were high for the Lions in 1999. Quality free agents such as slotback Don Blair and cornerback Eric Carter were brought in to add depth to an already impressive lineup, and with the likes of Robert Drummond and Jimmy “The Jet” Cunningham back in form following injury-plagued 1998 seasons, the team looked ready to roll. And roll it did right out of the gate, winning its first three games to set a new club record with nine straight regular season wins. Although the team would stumble at times and play down to its more weaker opponents, the Lions either held sole possession of first place or were tied with Calgary throughout the season. In the pivotal matches against the Stamps, the Lions won the first three and then lost in week 16 to tie things up again. But the Lions won the final two games at home and finished in first with a 13-5 record, the best since 1985. They won the Western Division for the first time since 1987 and would host their first playoff game in 12 years. Unfortunately, the dream season came to a premature end, as the Stamps beat the Lions 26-24 in an exciting but heartbreaking contest. There were 11 Western and four CFL all-stars on the team, Paul Lacoste was voted the CFL's top rookie, Daved Benefield was the West's top defensive player, and Jamie Taras was the West's top offensive lineman and won the Tom Pate Award for community service. But the year was not complete without a Grey Cup win, and the Lions were hoping the final piece of the puzzle would come together in Calgary on November 26, 2000.
West Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
British Columbia Lions 18 13 5 0 429 373 26
Calgary Stampeders 18 12 6 0 503 393 24
Edmonton Eskimos 18 6 12 0 459 502 12
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 3 15 0 370 592 6
East Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Montreal Alouettes 18 12 6 0 495 395 24
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 11 7 0 603 378 22
Toronto Argonauts 18 9 9 0 386 373 18
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 6 12 0 362 601 12
Semi-Finals - Edmonton 17 - Calgary 30
Semi-Finals - Toronto 6 - Hamilton 27
Finals - Calgary 26 - B.C. 24
Finals - Hamilton 27 - Montreal 26
Grey Cup - Hamilton 32 - Calgary 21
Following the team's outstanding finish in 1998 and with the Grey Cup game to be played in Vancouver, expectations were high for the Lions in 1999. Quality free agents such as slotback Don Blair and cornerback Eric Carter were brought in to add depth to an already impressive lineup, and with the likes of Robert Drummond and Jimmy “The Jet” Cunningham back in form following injury-plagued 1998 seasons, the team looked ready to roll. And roll it did right out of the gate, winning its first three games to set a new club record with nine straight regular season wins. Although the team would stumble at times and play down to its more weaker opponents, the Lions either held sole possession of first place or were tied with Calgary throughout the season. In the pivotal matches against the Stamps, the Lions won the first three and then lost in week 16 to tie things up again. But the Lions won the final two games at home and finished in first with a 13-5 record, the best since 1985. They won the Western Division for the first time since 1987 and would host their first playoff game in 12 years. Unfortunately, the dream season came to a premature end, as the Stamps beat the Lions 26-24 in an exciting but heartbreaking contest. There were 11 Western and four CFL all-stars on the team, Paul Lacoste was voted the CFL's top rookie, Daved Benefield was the West's top defensive player, and Jamie Taras was the West's top offensive lineman and won the Tom Pate Award for community service. But the year was not complete without a Grey Cup win, and the Lions were hoping the final piece of the puzzle would come together in Calgary on November 26, 2000.
West Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
British Columbia Lions 18 13 5 0 429 373 26
Calgary Stampeders 18 12 6 0 503 393 24
Edmonton Eskimos 18 6 12 0 459 502 12
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 3 15 0 370 592 6
East Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Montreal Alouettes 18 12 6 0 495 395 24
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 11 7 0 603 378 22
Toronto Argonauts 18 9 9 0 386 373 18
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 6 12 0 362 601 12
Semi-Finals - Edmonton 17 - Calgary 30
Semi-Finals - Toronto 6 - Hamilton 27
Finals - Calgary 26 - B.C. 24
Finals - Hamilton 27 - Montreal 26
Grey Cup - Hamilton 32 - Calgary 21