Three in a row- Bombers edge Esks to move into second

The Blue Bombers over the last month of the season have finally somehow been able to turn things around.  After trading they're best player and losing they're top sack getter for the season, as well as captain Barrin Simpson this team looked like a ticking time bomb.  The Bombers have rallied the troops and Friday's comeback win over the Eskimos has temporarily moved them into sole possession of second place and a playoff spot in the CFL East.  Having lost so many narrow games to this point in the season, the breaks appear to be balancing out of late more in Winnipeg's favour.

On a night where Milt Stegall was honoured for his career receiving yards record he was a major game breaker once again in a game hat early looked like it could become ugly. Before the capacity crowd at Canad Inns could even sit down and relax the Esks were already up by a touchdown. Ricky Ray wasted no time leading the Eskimos into the end zone after only 3 offensive plays.  The Bombers offence however to they're credit had an answer all night,the  unfortunately kicker Alexis Serna did not as his three missed field goals and a botched convert almost came back to bite them.  With the Bombers down 9-1 and Ricky Ray having his way with the secondary Kevin Glenn made the smartest play call he could going to the most dependable Winnipeg player in the last decade Milt Stegall, smart decision as Stegall's first catch of the game was a 31 yard catch that got the bombers offence rolling late in the first half.  Glenn and the Bombers didn't look back from there as before the half he found Arjei Franklin for a 73 yard catch and run, Franklin first career CFL TD. 

The second half was much the same as the first as Ray and Glenn dominated and put up points left and right.  Jason Armstead electrified the crowd in the third with an 84 yard punt return touchdown that seemed to turn the game in Winnipeg's favour before Ray answered back with an impressive drive capped off by a TD pass to Maurice Mann, and then took the lead when Ray found Fred Stamps for a 44 yard catch.  The Bombers however were not to be denied as Kevin Glenn brought them back.  Down by a point and facing a second down situation near midfield he found Winnipeg's favourite receiver Milt Stegall who was where he's been his entire career open to make a huge catch, this one a 25 yard scamper that set up a Fred Reid touchdown. 

After the defence keeping the games close so often this season it has been the turn of the offence lately to shine as they put up 21 of the 30 points to help them win.  Kevin Glenn was once again impressive as he went 18-26 for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns, as the weeks have gone on Kevin Glenn is looking much more like the East MVP he was last season.  For the Bombers and Fred Reid it sent a message that they are back, ''It's most definitely a statement game,'' said Reid, ''We're more confident right now as a unit and we're coming out and playing hard every week.''  Fred Reid had 16 carried for an impressive 93 yards and has really stepped up his game since the departure of Roberts, along with Joe Smith who rushed 7 times for 49 yards, they were both able to keep drives alive when Winnipeg needed it most. 

Weather the shocking trade of Charles Roberts, the arrival of Joe Smith and Zeke Moreno or the illness of Tom Canada or whatever the reason may be this team has tightened the loose screws in they're head and gotten down to business.  The win was they're third in a row and improved they're record to 5-8 to take over sole possession of second place in the East for the time being.  Also of note Ricky Ray passed Warren Moon to become the Eskimos all-time leader in touchdown passes.  The two teams face off next Saturday at Commenwealth and based on the ejections and fighting at the end of this one there should be alot of tension and bad blood going into this critical rematch.