I can add my first CFL (Canadian Football League) game to my list of things accomplished - a western conference final game at that. While the BC Lions did not fare well in the bout (losing 26 to 16 to the Saskatchewan Rough Riders) I really enjoyed the game and the experience.
A while back I wrote about my "First NFL Experience" and while the CFL experience was similar in some ways, it was also quite distinct. Firstly the atmosphere; there is something about being at a BC football game that makes you a little more patriotic. I found myself standing, cheering, “booing”, and thoroughly absorbed in the game (at least for the first 3 quarters). It wasn’t until the 4th quarter when BC took their fans out of the game by not completing plays, taking penalties, and unable to stop the Saskatchewan offence or defense. I do not pretend to be a big football fan, but even my wife who has rarely ever watched the sport felt that BC’s play-level just wasn’t there. Saskatchewan’s quarterback was bobbing and weaving (sorry more of a basketball fan) and ran more times than the BC QB got sacked.
For those who haven’t been to BC place, the view is great regardless of where you are sitting. The stadium is full enclosed so you don’t have to worry about the rain either. The announcer is bit annoying as his dialogue seems to consist of variations of “make some noise”, “bring the noise”, “louder, louder, and louder”. The stadium does a good job of keeping people entertained between plays with a Kiss Cam (random people from the crowd are displayed on the big screen and encouraged to kiss each other); hold the cup (a picture of the Grey Cup displayed and people pretend to hold it); and the Geroy Simons Dance Cam (random people videoed dancing in the stands). Entertainment was also provided from a few random fights where people were promptly escorted form the stadium or as the tag line goes “Be a Fan, not a Fool”.
While there were not as many people at BC Place (the upper bowl was empty in several sections), the Canadian experience really hit home for me, even if BC lost. On the way out of the stadium, my friend who attended with my wife and I asked if we wanted to go to the Canucks game which was occurring right after. I told him I didn’t have the heart to see 2 Canadian teams lose the same day J (As my sister-in-law would be quick to point out, the Canucks beat the Flames 4-1).
My 2 thoughts anyways…
For those who haven’t been to BC place, the view is great regardless of where you are sitting. The stadium is full enclosed so you don’t have to worry about the rain either. The announcer is bit annoying as his dialogue seems to consist of variations of “make some noise”, “bring the noise”, “louder, louder, and louder”. The stadium does a good job of keeping people entertained between plays with a Kiss Cam (random people from the crowd are displayed on the big screen and encouraged to kiss each other); hold the cup (a picture of the Grey Cup displayed and people pretend to hold it); and the Geroy Simons Dance Cam (random people videoed dancing in the stands). Entertainment was also provided from a few random fights where people were promptly escorted form the stadium or as the tag line goes “Be a Fan, not a Fool”.
While there were not as many people at BC Place (the upper bowl was empty in several sections), the Canadian experience really hit home for me, even if BC lost. On the way out of the stadium, my friend who attended with my wife and I asked if we wanted to go to the Canucks game which was occurring right after. I told him I didn’t have the heart to see 2 Canadian teams lose the same day J (As my sister-in-law would be quick to point out, the Canucks beat the Flames 4-1).
My 2 thoughts anyways…
No comments:
Post a Comment