Calgary Rage ready for a 'Fearless' semi-finals battle, their first post-pandemic
The Calgary Rage are set to tackle an unfamiliar opponent on Saturday that stands in their way of a berth in the league finals.
The Rage, who finished the regular season with a 3-1 record, will host the Manitoba Fearless at Shouldice Park in the Western Women's Canadian Football League semi-finals.
"They're an athletic team and we've never faced them so there's a lot of question marks going into this game," said quarterback Erin Walton of her Winnipeg-based opponent. "All we can do is be prepared and execute. You know it (comes) down to execution and trust in what we're doing and confidence that we can get the job done."
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Kickoff for Saturday's game will be at 2:00 p.m. at Shouldice and the Rage will look to make the most of their home field advantage.
"Oh it's huge to play in Calgary. Home field and to not have to travel," said defensive back Tatrina Medvesak said. "Just be prepared to have our fans out and our support systems here. It's going to be amazing for sure to play the sport we love."
FIRED UP
The Rage returned to the football field this season after the league went on hiatus for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After having your sport taken away from you, the players realized how much they love the game.
Head coach Keith Crawford believes his team is raring to go on both sides of the ball.
"The team is really fired up. I mean we understand what we have to do to win this game," said Crawford. "It's almost like a history maker for us. We have been to this championship game one other time but we didn't do well in that game. Since then, and before then, we've never even been close to the championship game so they're pretty fired up and so are the coaches. We've planned well for it and I think on Saturday you're going to see a pretty strong offensive and defensive team."
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the league final which will be played on June 25 in Saskatoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.