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The CFL playoffs begin on Sunday and for the B.C. Lions, it’ll be in a city that they’re not used to playing post-season games in.
As the fourth best team in the Western Conference, the Lions have crossed over to the Eastern Conference for the playoffs.
We're now headed for the #GCPlayoffs
— CFL (@CFL) November 5, 2018
Here are your final @Shaw_CFL Standings #RoadtotheGreyCup pic.twitter.com/4EnCjRsHBQ
It’s a CFL rule that happens when the fourth place team in the West has a better record than the third place team in the East, which happened this year.
As a result, B.C. will take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday at 10 a.m.
In the 🔨 #WeAreBC pic.twitter.com/eM2xAB1J6x
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) November 9, 2018
The winner taking on the Ottawa Redblacks in next weekend’s Eastern Conference Final.
Due to the crossover, the Lions will be the road team for Saturday’s matchup, despite the fact that they finished the season with two more points than the Tiger-Cats.
Playoff Business Trip 💼 #YVR 🛫 #YHM@yvrairport #parknfly #cfl @AirNorthHoliday #GCPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/dJrYMR6Ets
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) November 8, 2018
Oddly enough, the Edmonton Eskimos, who missed the playoffs as the fifth place team in the West, also finished with more points than Hamilton.
The Lions and Tiger-Cats split their two matchups this season, with both teams winning at home.
“We had a lot of young guys. In a way, it was no different than how this Lions team was built.”
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) November 8, 2018
Playoff Notebook | After coming close twice in Steel Town, @jfig305 looking for November glory and it starts against old squad.
READ 📝| https://t.co/7K0OKlMTmc pic.twitter.com/KdTwAj00LT
B.C. will be looking to buck that trend when they take the field under the guidance of retiring coach Wally Buono.
Quarterback Travis Lulay and company will be looking to extend Buono’s career beyond Saturday with a big win on the road.
"The big thing is mental preparation. This is all part of getting them used to Eastern time."- @CoachBrillo on the revamped schedule ahead of Sunday's eastern showdown in the 🔨
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) November 7, 2018
WATCH 🎥: pic.twitter.com/b7ucN46lCt
“There’s no hiding it, this is the opportunity you play for, is the chance to play in the post-season,” said the quarterback.
“Playing on the road in the playoffs, it’s going to be a ton of energy in the building for the opposing team. You’ve got to find a way to settle into that game. I can draw on that past experience.”
Sunday's game, like all CFL matchups, will be broadcasted on TSN.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of the B.C. Lions' Facebook page.
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