B.C. Lions clinch playoff spot following win over Edmonton Elks

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions have clinched a playoff spot after defeating the Edmonton Elks on Friday night by a score of 37-29.

This marks the second consecutive year in which the Lions have made the playoffs following a two-year postseason drought (2019, 2021). The club defeated Calgary in the West Semi-Final in 2022, their first home postseason game in six years, before losing the West Final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Lions have now joined Winnipeg as the two teams that have clinched playoff berths in the West Division. The clubs have matching 10-4 records with the season series between them tied at one game apiece. The rubber match will be played on Friday, Oct. 6 in Vancouver. B.C. hasn’t finished first in the West Division since 2012.

The club’s remaining schedule in 2023 will see them host Saskatchewan and Winnipeg before visiting Hamilton and hosting Calgary. Winnipeg, meanwhile, will host Toronto before visiting Vancouver, hosting Edmonton, and finishing out the season in Calgary.