Weekend recap: A Grey Cup stunner and golden skaters
The Grey Cup delivered a shocking upset as the Toronto Argonauts, led by backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle, stunned the heavily favored Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a 41-24 victory. Arbuckle, who was named Grey Cup MVP, threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while the Argos defense intercepted Zach Collaros four times. This unexpected win marked the Blue Bombers’ third consecutive Grey Cup loss, making them the first team since the 1954-56 Montreal Alouettes to suffer such a fate.
In Canadian university football, Laurier and Laval secured victories in the semifinals to advance to the Vanier Cup. Laurier defeated Bishop’s 48-24 in the Uteck Bowl, while Laval narrowly beat Regina 17-14 in the Mitchell Bowl. The stage is now set for an exciting showdown between Laurier and Laval for the Vanier Cup title in Kingston, Ont.
In tennis, Great Britain dethroned Canada in the Billie Jean King Cup, sweeping the Canadian team 2-0 in the quarterfinals. This defeat came as a surprise after Canada’s historic win in the previous year. On the soccer front, Canada secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Suriname in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, with Junior Hoilett scoring the winning goal in the 82nd minute. The return leg will take place in Toronto, with the winners advancing to the Nations League Finals in Los Angeles.
Canadian boxer Lucas Bahdi emerged victorious on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul event, maintaining his undefeated record with a majority decision win over Italy’s Armando Casamonica. Bahdi’s win adds to his impressive streak as a professional fighter. Meanwhile, Canadian skaters shone bright on the international stage, with pairs figure skating champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps clinching their second gold of the Grand Prix season in Finland. Canadian speed skaters also excelled at the Four Continents championships in Japan, securing a total of 12 medals, including three golds.
In alpine skiing, Laurence St-Germain represented Canada well at the World Cup slalom openers in Finland, finishing 10th in the women’s event. American sensation Mikaela Shiffrin claimed her 98th World Cup victory. Women’s skeleton world champion Hallie Clarke showcased her skills at the World Cup season openers in South Korea, finishing sixth in the first race. Overall, Canadian athletes continue to make their mark on the global stage, showcasing their talent and determination in various sports disciplines.
