Former Regina woman living in Ottawa ready to cheer on Riders

A woman, originally from Regina who now lives in Ottawa, is gearing up for Sunday’s big playoff game.

Amy Antonini moved to Ottawa two years ago but still remains a big Roughriders fan.

“I actually had season tickets that I reluctantly had to give away when I moved [to Ottawa] but before that I was at all the games I could get to,” she said.

Antonini was excited to learn the Riders were coming out east for playoffs.

“A friend of mine is a big Redblacks fan so he took the opportunity to text me and say, ‘The Riders might be coming east, what are you thinking, do you want to go, do you want to make a bet,’ that type of thing,” she explained.

Antonini made a bet with her friend the last time the two teams faced off and she lost. She said she hasn’t made a bet on the playoff game yet but will probably try to double up this time and win.

“The fact that the Grey Cup is [in Ottawa] I was hoping to see [the Riders] in the Grey Cup but this makes it even better, I can see them once before in their first playoff game and then hopefully again at the Grey Cup,” Antonini said.

She plans to head down to the game early on Sunday to be amongst all the Riders fans. She said there’s always a huge green and white presence in Ottawa.

“I went to the game in September and there were tons of Rider fans everywhere. You get a little worried driving up in your green gear but then once you get out of your car, you see all your fellow Rider fans so it’s a pretty good area to be in before the game,” Antonini said.

Redblacks fans are pretty serious fans, just like Riders fans. Antonini said the last couple of Redblacks games she’s gone to there have been “friendly fan fire” in the stands.

When it comes to Riders fans, Antonini said there are always a few fans in green and white that will seek you out to have a beer with you.

“I think it’s going to be a big game, I think it’s going to be tense. I know the Redblacks are looking to win and maybe go back to the Grey Cup in their home city, but I’m hoping the Riders will take it,” Antonini said.

Her prediction? She said it’s going to be a close game, within two or three points, with the Riders coming out on top.