John Barlow, Editor

Euphoria.

Followed by painful disbelief all in a matter of a few moments.

I do not think I have experienced a roller coaster like that since the Matterhorn at Disneyland when I was 12. But even at Disneyland the drop is exciting.

The fall in Sunday’s Grey Cup game at McMahon Stadium was neither exciting nor was there a Disney happy ending.

In case you were visiting Saturn this weekend my beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders not only blew a 27-11 lead with 10 minutes left in Sunday’s Grey Cup, but they bungled it away in the most inglorious fashion losing 28-27 on the final play.

Heading into Sunday’s Grey Cup I spent days trying to convince myself the Riders had a chance to upset the heavily favoured Montreal Allouettes.

After all, the Grey Cup is renowned for colossal upsets and although the Alouettes had beaten Saskatchewan twice in the regular season they had not played since August when the Riders were 4-4. Saskatchewan finished the season 10-7-1 and their defence and quarterback Darian Durant had vastly improved — surely there was a chance.

Really, all I wanted was a glimmer of hope — just be a close game. I simply did not want to be sitting there in the cold sipping on a $7 beer watching the Alouettes celebrate a 35-point blow-out.

As I packed my backpack on Sunday with woolly mittens, a scarf, and a wee bit dram of the good stuff I told myself even if the Riders lost and it was a close game I would be happy.

Be careful what you wish for.

As a I entered McMahon on Sunday I could not help but get caught up in the vibe that had overcome Rider Nation — everyone was exuberant.

With guarded enthusiasm I took my seat alongside Mr. Rockley, who was thoughtful enough to wear a green parka to show his support for the Riders – however fleeting it might have been.

When the Riders got off to such a great start I became downright giddy. Just how incredible would it be to witness such an unlikely Grey Cup victory?

In the second half when the Riders took a 27-11 lead I was so excited I told the lady beside me to be ready for a big wet kiss if the Riders won.

My family was Rider season ticket holders when the team was downright abysmal in the early 1980s and I have seen some horrific disasters  over the years, but even as Montreal roared back in the fourth quarter Sunday I remained unusually confident. This was our time, the 30,000 or so Rider fans in McMahon Stadium would will our heroes to victory.

It looked like our dream of a Grey Cup triumph would come true when Allouette placekicker Damon Duval missed a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the game. McMahon Stadium erupted as the sea of green began to celebrate what we all believed was our third Grey Cup in three years. Yes, three years, not 30 as most of us are accustomed.

I gave Mr. Rockley a big hug as we looked at each other in stunned disbelief at our good fortune.

However, the jubilant moment quickly turned to shock as the orange flags fluttered to the stadium turf under the north uprights. Saskatchewan was flagged for too many men and Duval did not miss on his second opportunity ripping the Grey Cup from Saskatchewan’s grasp and ripping out the hearts of Rider Nation.

I got my wish of a close game, but never did I think it would be so painful. To come so close only to lose in that fashion was excruciating.

Truthfully, it was an amazing game, but a horrible way to lose — or win — a championship.

In fact, surprisingly, I was not that upset after the game. It was an unbelievable atmosphere on Sunday, great company, a stunning finale and my voice was still hoarse on Monday.

I thought I was over it when I arrived at work on Monday morning that was until my email was flooded with condolences and my co-workers all looked at me like my puppy died. True, this one stings and it will sting for a while, but I mostly feel bad for that Stampeder season ticket holder beside me who didn’t get her kiss.

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