Blue Bombers Face Heartbreak After East Semifinal Loss, Clean Out Lockers

UPDATE: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are grappling with a painful exit from the CFL playoffs after a 42-33 defeat to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division semifinal. As they clean out their lockers just over a week before the Grey Cup is hosted in their city on November 16, 2023, emotions are running high among players.

“It’s definitely unsettling,” said Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros after the game. The thought of another team taking their place in the locker room weighs heavily on the players. “Just the thought of having another team in your locker room is tough.”

The Bombers were on a roller-coaster ride during the semifinal. After trailing 25-3 late in the second quarter, they managed to rally back, scoring three touchdowns and taking a 27-25 lead. However, the Alouettes, led by quarterback Davis Alexander, regained the advantage and sealed their victory.

With this loss, the Bombers finish the season with a 10-8 record, marking them as the 13th crossover team to fail to reach the Grey Cup. Collaros, who has been with the Bombers since 2019, reflected on the season’s high expectations and the disappointment of falling short. “It probably was [my most frustrating season] because of how high of expectations we had for the team,” he stated.

Veteran receiver Nic Demski echoed similar sentiments, describing the season as a mix of “ups and downs” after struggling with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the final two games. He was a game-time decision for the semifinal but ultimately could not play.

The Bombers now face an uncertain off-season, with 33 potential free agents on the roster, including star running back Brady Oliveira and go-to receiver Dalton Schoen. Both players’ futures remain unclear as the team shifts focus to rebuilding for next season.

Backup quarterback Chris Streveler is also dealing with injury setbacks, having recently re-torn his ACL. “I don’t even know if heartbreaking does it justice,” he said, expressing his frustration over yet another injury.

Despite the setbacks, rookie kick returner Trey Vaval emerged as a bright spot for the Bombers. He led the CFL in punt return yardage and is nominated for the league’s most outstanding rookie award. “I’m happy with how I did, I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Vaval remarked.

As the Bombers clean out their lockers, the specter of a Grey Cup hosted in their own backyard hangs over them, a stark reminder of what might have been. Fans are left wondering what the future holds for this once-dominant team. The Alouettes will advance to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East final, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the B.C. Lions in the West final on November 11, 2023.

The Bombers’ next steps are crucial as they navigate free agency and strategize for the upcoming season. The emotional toll of this loss is palpable, but the team will have to regroup and refocus if they hope to return to championship contention in the future.