(Vancouver) The BC Lions will tangle with the Edmonton Eskimos tonight in a regular season finale that will send one team to the West Semi-Final and the other into waiting mode and hopeful of an East Division crossover. Tonight will also mark the last game in BC Place for the Leos until the 2011 season when renovations to the stadium's new retractable roof are slated for completion.The Lions played their first game at BC Place versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 24, 1983 and drew more than 56,000 fans for a game versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that same season. In 1984 and 1985 the Lions and Bombers played in front of a sold-out BC Place in what was the CFL's fiercest rivalry at the time. In recent years, the Lions played host to the West Final four straight years from 2004 to 2007, including a 45-18 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2006 played before 50,084 fans.
"BC Place has given our club a home field advantage unlike one I have ever experienced before and I know our players and players from past teams greatly appreciate the support they have received from the CFL's loudest fans," said Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono. "We'll need their voices again tonight because this is our home playoff game for 2009."
The Lions and Eskimos kickoff at 7:30 pm with gates opening at 6:30 pm. The winner of tonight's tilt will travel to either Calgary or Saskatchewan next week as the Stamps and 'Riders meet tomorrow evening in Regina to decide who will host the West Final in 2009.
Catch all the action live on the new home of the Lions, TEAM 1410 - tonight's pregame show begins at 6:00 pm. Follow the Lions daily on Twitter throughout the 2009 season! For more information on the BC Lions Football Club, please visit our website at bclions.com.
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