Fans tough out winter wallop to watch Ottawa Redblacks win spot in Grey Cup game
Up to 25 cm of snow was expected to blanket Ottawa by Monday morning
CFL football met winter as the Ottawa Redblacks defeated the Edmonton Eskimos in the eastern division final during the first snowstorm of the season on Sunday.
Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning, with between 15 and 25 centimetres of fresh snow expected to blanket Ottawa by Monday morning.
Fans stuck it out through the storm, watching Ottawa win 35-23 over the team that beat them in the Grey Cup final last year. Ottawa has now secured a spot in this year's Grey Cup game.
Snow began to blanket the field well before the game started at 1 p.m. ET.
The snowy scene at TD Place. <a href="https://t.co/uz1m3J1kiv">pic.twitter.com/uz1m3J1kiv</a>
—@amkfooteFans were handed cowbells upon entry to shake (thus keeping warm?) during the game.
This game's giveaway? Redblacks cowbells. Thousands of them. <a href="https://t.co/y9aT7uiNKG">pic.twitter.com/y9aT7uiNKG</a>
—@amkfooteThe Redblacks left footprints in the snow as they took to the field.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Redblacks?src=hash">#Redblacks</a> take the field. <a href="https://t.co/7DAywpJna2">pic.twitter.com/7DAywpJna2</a>
—@amkfooteFans were trying to keep spirits high, despite the cold, wet day.
Football Nick and Football Troy are fired up. "Snow is better than rain." <a href="https://t.co/LyoGAI1oLx">pic.twitter.com/LyoGAI1oLx</a>
—@amkfooteScenes from field level. Redblacks vs Eskimos vs snowstorm. <a href="https://t.co/P8M99pe2Vn">pic.twitter.com/P8M99pe2Vn</a>
—@amkfooteAt half-time, fans flooded the concourse for a break from the blowing snow.
Seeking shelter in the concourse at half. <a href="https://t.co/Z9PVc7tSL9">pic.twitter.com/Z9PVc7tSL9</a>
—@amkfooteAs snow continued to fall, fans returned to the stands for the second half to watch the eventual win.
Barry Pritchard, south sider: no matter which way you're facing, it seems the snow keeps blowing in your face. Very Canadian. <a href="https://t.co/pvJtuWJO8G">pic.twitter.com/pvJtuWJO8G</a>
—@amkfooteHere's Joe Arruda's Redblacks-esque storm gear. <a href="https://t.co/6BKu54O5vj">pic.twitter.com/6BKu54O5vj</a>
—@amkfooteView from field level. <a href="https://t.co/qACMNKCv1s">pic.twitter.com/qACMNKCv1s</a>
—@amkfooteOne fan was inspired to make a snow angel.
Post-win at TD Place. <a href="https://t.co/PawWpYwrfk">pic.twitter.com/PawWpYwrfk</a>
—@amkfoote