Alouettes vs RedBlacks: Things To Watch + Preview

The Montreal Alouettes and Ottawa RedBlacks take the field this evening – an early 6:30 p.m. start (TSN 1/4/5) – in what is sure to be an emotionally charged game.

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With the events that rocked the country, both teams have a connection to them. Obviously, the city of Ottawa will be looking for a release after Wednesday’s shooting. Tonight’s game will be the first sporting event in Ottawa and sure to be emotional from the anthem right through to the end of the game.

For an Ottawa team that is endearing themselves to the community, expect them to feed off of it. The Alouettes won’t be playing a 2-13 team tonight. They will be playing a really pumped up RedBlacks team.

The Alouettes also have a connection, although not as obvious. Before holding training camp in Lennoxville at Bishop’s University, they used to hold camp at Fort St Jean, where a soldier was killed after being hit with a car on Tuesday. Most Alouettes have not been to camp there, but most in the organization have.

Some injuries for the Alouettes include defensive lineman Gabriel Knapton and Aaron Lavarias which means that rookie Brian Brikowski will be making his first CFL start. Chad Johnson will be missing his second straight game. Kyries Hebert is back on the 46-man roster but is listed as a backup with Winston Venable getting the start.

The defence has been a staple for the Alouettes this season and will need to be on top of their game tonight as they look to stay atop the CFL’s Eastern Division.

Jonathan Crompton and Tyrell Sutton will be the starting backfield for the Alouettes.

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