With the unveiling of the 2012 CFL schedule, right out of the gate the Alouettes will have to endure playing three games in the first 12 days of the season against the Calgary Stampeders (twice), and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Here are the top five games to circle on your Montreal Alouettes calendar to keep an eye out for in the 2012 season.
Hamilton versus Montreal, August 23rd: Most certainly, the Alouettes will have this home game circled on their schedule, as the Tiger-Cats ended their playoff hopes of trying to win another Grey Cup. Hamilton may have ended their Montreal winless streak.
But let’s not forget they have yet to win at Percival Molson Stadium in the same period of time. As the summer comes to a close this game could be a precursor for the second half of the season of what to expect from both clubs.
Montreal versus B.C., September 8th: The house of horrors continues for the Alouettes. Yes they did win in Vancouver in 2010, albeit at Empire Field, but since 2000 they haven’t won at B.C. Place.
Furthermore, before entering the playoffs, their last appearance in Vancouver wasn’t too kind as they were drubbed 43-1. This is the second half of a home and home battle with the defending champions. At least the team won’t have to endure a late season long flight to Vancouver. Will things be different this time in September than in November?
Winnipeg versus Montreal, July 6th: Ironically, in a 2001 September game, the Blue Bombers and Alouettes were vying for first place when the visitors won a critical game at Percival. As a result, it set the tone for the season as Winnipeg went on to the Grey Cup and Montreal went in downward spiral.
Fast forward to 2011, a late September game in the same stadium set the pace for both teams, as the Blue Bombers won the critical division game. This gave them confidence to beat the Alouettes, and as a result, they went onto the Grey Cup. Could the same scenario play out again in 2012? Entering the season the Blue Bombers will have a huge target on their chest.
Montreal versus Calgary, July 1st: Opening game for both teams. Calgary will have a new quarterback in Drew Tate. The Alouettes will have a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Reinebold. Last time these teams met at McMahon Stadium, it was a fantastic finish, and coming out party for Johnny Forzani in a Stampeders 38-31 win.
Let’s not forget, the last time these clubs played on Canada Day in 2009, the Alouettes exacted revenge from their Grey Cup loss by defeating the Stampeders 40-27. Expect this to be a potentially sloppy, but high scoring game affair.
Montreal versus Hamilton, July 21st: Vancouver might be the house of horrors for the team on the west coast. But it seems visiting Hamilton is the east coast version. The last Alouettes win at Ivor Wynne Stadium was a 27-6 victory in September 2010.
In their last three trips to southern Ontario the Alouettes have been outscored 118-50. Furthermore, last year’s Labour Day duel set the course for both teams as the Alouettes could not score from the one yard line before halftime and lost by 23 points. Finally, this will be the secondary’s first look at newly signed Andy Fantuz. It will be a great chess match between head coaches George Cortez and Marc Trestman.
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I can't help but look forward to Scott M's return to Percival with his Argos. Like all Montreal-Toronto games, there is always a rivalry. This one has the added feature of Al's fans watching Scott from a different perspective.
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