By Joel Gasson

VIDEO: Calgary Stampeders take home 102nd Grey Cup

Nov 30, 2014 | 7:49 PM

Years of heartbreak are no more in Calgary as the Stampeders have won the 2014 Grey Cup, downing the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 in dramatic fashion.

The win is the first championship for the Stamps since 2008 after losing the big game in 2012 and numerous playoff failures in that time.

“It’s a sigh of relief man, that we actually came in here and finished,” said Stamps receiver Marquay McDaniel.

“We’ve definitely been disappointed the last couple of years, but guys focused and took care of what we had to do.”

Early on, the win appeared to be a slam dunk for the Stamps as they raced out to an early 17-0 as Hamilton was getting an uneasy feeling of deja vu when the Riders were all over them early last year.

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Unlike last year, Hamilton did find a way to make a game of it after a 45-yard touchdown from Brandon Banks cut the lead to 10 before half-time. The lead might have been seven if not for a blocked field goal earlier in the half.

The game continued to get more interesting in the second as Stampeders only managed one field goal from kicker Rene Parades. Hamilton added three more field goals of their own but couldn’t finish drives when it mattered most.

“I just told them how proud I was of turning the season around. Sometimes things don’t work out, welcome to the game of life,” said head coach Kent Austin after the game.

Austin still believes that his team has a bright future ahead but, this loss, like last years will still haunt him for the rest of his life.

The greatest play that didn’t count

This Grey Cup nearly went down in history with one of the wildest finishes ever seen. Key word is nearly.

With under a minute left on the clock the Stampeders were forced to punt the ball away. The ball landed in the hands of the electrifying Banks. After a quick turn against the grain, Banks got some blocks and he was gone.

Banks had won the Grey Cup with a 90-yard punt return touchdown.

However, there was a flag. An illegal block away from the play ended Banks chance at history. The game wasn’t won and the Ti-cats had little time to really put together a 100-yard drive for the win.

“I knew there was a flag, they called from upstairs. I don’t think there was any question it happened,” said head coach John Hufnagel.

Hufnagel suggested that the plan was to kick the ball out-of-bounds, but they didn’t quite execute the play. Good thing for him, there was the flag.

Austin on the other hand, after the game he still had not seen the play but he’s been highly critical of the state of officiating in the league. While he didn’t have a specific comment about the play, he did stay with that train of thought.

“I’m on record already on what we can do to help improve a lot of areas in this league. I will take it up behind the scenes. But, it can get a lot better in a lot of different areas. We can get better as league, we can and we should. It changes lives, it’s important,” said Austin.

Rams celebrate

The Riders may not have been in the game but there’s some celebration going on in Saskatchewan after this game.

Former Regina Ram teammates Marc Mueller and Brett Jones are both with the winning team. Mueller is a defensive coach, while Jones is of course the all-star centre.

“It’s something we didn’t in college but, it’s still so cool today. It doesn’t matter that he was a coach; he’s still just as much a part of the team. It was a special moment for us, just so happy he’s on the team,” said Jones.

For Mueller joins his grandfather Ron Lancaster, his uncle Ron Lancaster Junior, his dad Larry Mueller as family members with Grey Cup rings.

All of them won in their first year in the CFL.

“So, to go four-for-four is pretty cool,” said Mueller, who admits it might have meant to be. “Something must be going-on, that’s for sure.”

We don’t know if that’s why Hufnagel really hired Mueller, but if it is, he’s just fine with that.

Number Crunching

Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was named the game’s most valuable player. Mitchell finished 25-for-34 for 334 yards and an interception. Ti-Cats receiver Andy Fantuz was named top Canadian for his six catches and 81 yards.

The Ti-Cats kept Jon Cornish in check as he only managed 25-yards rushing. After the game, Cornish said he knew all week he was going to be a decoy.

Rookie Stamps receiver Eric Rogers was the top receiver with 108 yards over five catches. Banks was the most explosive player in the game with a combined 200 yards of offence and returns.

Don’t forget, the Green Zone will be live from Vancouver on Monday breaking down the game with thoughts from the players and you at 1-877-300-7275 and by text at 306306.

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