Edmonton 38, Montreal 35 (OT)

This one was painful.

One of the best Grey Cup games ever played is in the books, and my Alouettes have fallen just short. The Grey Cup has been played 93 times, and this was just the second to go to overtime. If ever a game could be called a "heartbreaker", this was it. Still, it was a joy to watch.

In a game like this, there are so many plays you can look back on that could have made a difference. The most glaring one, the play that ultimately cost the Als a chance to win, was Anthony Calvillo's brain cramp in overtime. He threw a pass that was blocked at the line, ended up back in his hands and, for some reason only known to him, he tried to pass the ball again - albeit to a wide open receiver. There is no excuse for him not to know the rules, and that penalty took the team out of field goal range. But I think the outcome of the game took shape at the end of the third quarter. Having just taken a 15-13 lead, and with all of the momentum on their side after a lacklustre first half, the Als recovered a fumble on the Eskimos' 12 yard line. A touchdown would have really given them control of the game, but they couldn't find the end zone and had to settle for a field goal. Edmonton then ran back the kickoff for a touchdown to regain the lead. The game stayed within one possession thereafter.

Despite the result, this was one hell of a football game. The Grey Cup rarely disappoints when it comes to competitiveness and entertainment. While the NFL has the star power and gambling allure, the CFL offers a better brand of football. And the league has enjoyed a resurgence of late. I really believe that some of it has to do with the recent work stoppage in the NHL, and the relationship between players and fans. There is something old school about the way fans can relate to players in the CFL, because there are no millionaires playing in the league. There are maybe a handful of players on each team earning six figures, and the vast majority probably make less than I do. Many need to hold a second job to make ends meet. Eric Lapointe, the Montreal running back who is just coming into his own, will likely retire now to go back to his financial planning job. Don't get me wrong - I don't begrudge anybody who makes as much money as somebody is willing to pay them. But there is something rare and special about the connection between working class fans and working class athletes, especially in a league that is still regarded as major and important in most of Canada.

Congratulations to the Edmonton Eskimos and their coach, Montreal boy Danny Maciocia. And congratulations to the Als for a great effort. Now it's time to concentrate on the getting the Habs turned around.