The Labour Day Classic

I've seen many on tv but have never had the opportunity to make the trip to Mosaic Stadium watch the classic between our home team Riders  and the visiting Winnipeg Bluebombers. This one was special for a few reasons. First of all, it will be the final Labout Day Classic at the old Mosaic Stadium aka Taylor Field. 

Next year the new Mosaic Stadium opens as the new home for our beloved Riders. Fans got a sneak peak at the new facility on Saturday, and I can say that it will be nothing short a spectacular venue to cheer on the home team next season.

 I've gotta say, the nostalgic part of me is going to miss the old stadium. I was there to watch the Riders win the Grey Cup in 2013 and it may not ever happen again in my lifetime. The kids and I shivered through the cold in an amazing playoff game where our Riders came from behind to knock off the visiting BC Lions. I got to coach a school touch football team where we fell 1 okay short of advancing to the city finals on the turf at Mosaic Stadium, and the memories go on. It'll be a sad day when the Riders take the field for the last time this October at their home for so many years. But, like anything, new memories wil be made when they move across the street to new Mosaic Stadium (and the bathroom lines will be shorter!)

Another reason this game had a little extra special feel to it was because it was the return to Regina for the now Bluebomber, former Rider standout receiver, Weston Dressler. Our team has lost a few great players over the years and Dressler was one of the greats. A great player, an ambassador of the game and an active member of the Regina community. Rider Nation misses you Weston and that was clear on Sunday.

12 years in a row. Yup, the Riders hadn't lost in 12 straight years on Labour Day to the Bluebombers. Until yesterday. It was a typical slow first half for our Riders green, but they turned it on in the 2nd half and cold have/should have made it 13 in a row. Instead, we lost a thriller with a last second field goal. Well, congrats Winnipeg, it took you a while but you did it. I'm already looking forward to next years tilt where we'll get our revenge in our new building.

Regardless of the outcome, it was a great day for a great game.

Thanks for the game Cindy!

Licking our wounds,

Rider fans everywhere,

Darryl