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A rare warm November afternoon set the stage for a tense Vanier Cup at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, as the Montreal Carabins pulled away late to defeat the Saskatchewan Huskies in a national final that fans described as tight, emotional and, at times, frustrating.
For many of the 8,896 people in the crowd, the turning point came in the second half, when Montreal finally created separation.
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Eric Genereux shows his team pride with blue flags inside the stadium on Saturday. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
“It was close for a long time. The final score doesn’t really reflect the face of the game,” said Eric Genereux, a Montreal supporter visiting Regina for the first time.
“The touchdown at the end of the third quarter was the turning point … the defence settled down with that.”
Genereux, who travelled with the Carabins booster group, praised the conditions and the city. Temperatures were around 7C at kickoff.
“This is perfect football weather. The weather didn’t become a factor … best on best,” he said, adding Regina had been “gracious hosts” all weekend.
Huskies fans, however, felt the sting of another missed opportunity on the national stage.
“It’s very disappointing. Saskatoon didn’t show up to play. Montreal did,” said Al McDonald of Regina.
Dante Boucher flashes a peace sign with the field behind him on game day. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Others pointed to specific moments that shifted momentum. Dante Boucher drove in from Saskatoon and said coverage breakdowns proved costly.
“That one fly route into the end zone, that was the turning point,” Boucher said. “The Huskies are consistently good, but we just need to punch through and get at least one … get over the hump.”
Jaxon Polowski reps his Huskies jersey at Saturday’s game. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Offence was also a concern for some. Jaxon Polowski said stalled drives and turnovers made the difference.
“QB did good, but just got unlucky on a couple picks,” Polowski said. “There was a lot they could’ve cleaned up.”
Despite the loss, the atmosphere remained upbeat. Beth Compton said the game never felt out of reach.
“They were always slightly ahead of us, and we just couldn’t catch up,” Compton said. “But as long as the players had fun, that’s all that matters.”
Chantel Lefebvre, left, and Beth Compton share a post-game smile outside Mosaic Stadium. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Her friend, Chantel Lefebvre, said the weather helped keep spirits high.
“It’s a beautiful day. We’re lucky it’s so nice out, with no snow,” Lefebvre said.
Other fans focused on the quality of play and the long-term picture. Colin McKellar said Montreal was simply sharper.
“They were a little more efficient with the football… less mistakes, and they came through and did the job,” McKellar said, adding that an interception by Saskatchewan quarterback Jake Farrell loomed large.
Colin McKellar, left, and Tyson Gugushe catch up in the concourse. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
For Tyson Gugushe, who travelled from Kelowna, B.C., the result didn’t erase the program’s progress.
“To make it back three times in five years, that’s not easy to do,” Gugushe said. “It shows how good Canadian football is getting.”
As fans filtered out of the stadium, many balanced disappointment with optimism, a tough ending to a memorable day, and the belief that the Huskies’ breakthrough may still come — maybe next year.
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