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Bombers stifle Tiger-Cats, advance to Grey Cup

Nov 20, 2011 - 9:50 PM Winnipeg, MB (Sports Network) - Chris Garrett ran for 190 yards and a touchdown, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers clinched a spot in the Grey Cup with a 19-3 victory over Hamilton in Sunday's East Division Championship.

The Bombers did so with a stellar defensive effort. The Tiger-Cats' Justin Medlock kicked a field goal midway through the first quarter to open the scoring, but Winnipeg held them off the board the rest of the way.

"Our defense was one of the best performances. Our offense, we had that running game going," said Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown. "I'm just pretty happy right now, and it's going to be a week to remember."

Alex Brink threw a touchdown pass to Jason Vega and Justin Palardy kicked two field goals for the Bombers, who are back in the Grey Cup for the first time since 2007. They haven't won the CFL title since 1990.

Hamilton had defeated Montreal, the two-time defending Grey Cup Champion, last weekend by a 52-44 score in overtime.

But the Tiger-Cats didn't come close to replicating that offensive showing Sunday. Kevin Glenn was limited to 113 passing yards and Avon Cobourne totaled only 28 yards on the ground.

Winnipeg faced the 3-0 deficit after one quarter but quickly took the lead in the second. Buck Pierce ran for 27 yards on consecutive plays before Garrett's 16-yard rush put the ball at the Hamilton three-yard line.

Brink then found Vega for a touchdown, putting the Bombers in front a little more than four minutes into the frame.

After Hamilton punted, Palardy kicked a 22-yarder to make it a 10-3 game at the break. Palardy made a 37-yard try seven minutes into the third and the Tiger-Cats continued to struggle.

They punted on six of seven possessions during the second half, with the other one ending in a Quinton Porter interception. While Winnipeg's offense wasn't dominant, it put up more than enough points to secure the win.

Garrett's three-yard TD run at the end of regulation punctuated the victory.

Game Notes

Winnipeg had lost seven of 10 to close the regular season...Pierce completed 16-of-28 passes for 175 yards for the Bombers...Glenn completed 13-of-18 passes, while Porter was 3-of-11 for 40 yards.