MONTREAL - It seems so long ago that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers went into Percival Molson Stadium and beat the Montreal Alouettes 19-11 on July 4. Who knew then that the Bombers would be 2-12 and facing playoff elimination when they returned to Montreal three months later? Watch the game on TSN starting at 12:30pm et/9:30am pt. You can also follow along with TSN.cas GameTracker. Or that the perennially contending Alouettes (6-8) would be recovering from their own setbacks, including the firing of new coach Dan Hawkins only five games into the season and a concussion that has sidelined quarterback Anthony Calvillo since Aug. 17? It was all optimism back then, and now both teams will be looking to salvage what they can from a season of frustration when they face each other on Monday afternoon. "Throw out all the stats, throw all the records out the window — all that matters is the win," Montreal coach Jim Popp. The Alouettes at least still have hope. A win Monday would give them their first three-game streak of the season and set them up for a battle for second place in the East Division in back to back games beginning Sunday against the second-place Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-7). Finishing at 9-9 — the same record Toronto had last season before winning the Grey Cup — is not out of the question. "Theres a great feeling in the locker room and on the field," said linebacker Shea Emry. "Theres a better tempo. "Its exciting to see a team come together like that because, in years past, weve come together early on the season and then kind of dwindled at the end. But we are trying to peak. Were not there yet, but were looking towards it." For the Bombers to make the playoffs, they need to beat Montreal to win the three-game season series between the two clubs, plus win their three other remaining games and have the Alouettes lose all their games. Slim chances, indeed, and they got slimmer this week when the Bombers traded CFL sacks leader Alex Hall to Saskatchewan for an injured offensive lineman and a draft pick. But coach Tim Burke said he hasnt sensed that any of his players have thrown in the towel yet. "I dont think so,"he said. "We had another good week of practice. "We were really focused. Guys really want to play." Josh Neiswander has taken over as the starting quarterback in Montreal and has looked sharp, particularly in a 47-24 win last week in Edmonton. He has thrown only one interception in his last three games. He got the job when rookie Tanner Marsh tore a ligament in his right thumb a month ago. Marsh resumed practising this week and will dress as the third quarterback, but probably wont play. The defence has been especially effective, leading the league against the run and featuring an aggressive pass rush that has led to them leading in interceptions with 22. Popp said he asked his team to forget the first 12 games, when they were 4-8, and focus on the last six as a kind of mini-season leading into the playoffs. So far, they are 2-0 in that segment. "We had a bad start, but so did B.C. in 2011," said Emry of the Lions Grey Cup victory after a horrendous start. "I guess were trying to create our own little story over here." Linebacker Kyries Hebert said the Alouettes cannot allow themselves to take the Bombers lightly despite their four-game losing run. "Its the same as you prepare for a 12-2 team," said Hebert. "These guys lost some close games. "They found a way to come here and get a victory in Montreal. So, bigger than their record is the fact that theyre a divisional opponent and they beat us on our home turf, so we have to come back and redeem ourselves." Max Hall is likely to start for the Bombers, although Burke said the race is still on for the No. 1 job with Justin Goltz and Jason Boltus. "I dont think any of our quarterbacks have reached the point where you could say theyre starting quarterback calibre in this league," said Burke. "One of our guys has to step forward in the remainder of this year or were going to have to go out and get another quarterback." The same is true at a few positions on a team that Burke said has "personnel deficiencies." Many Winnipeg players are fighting for jobs for next season, so they wont lack motivation. And Burke himself has to wonder if he will be retained, although he feels he deserves another chance after enduring a lot of injuries and not a lot of talent. "Id like to be back," said the former Alouettes defensive co-ordinator. "Id like to have a chance to work with a team that has more of its pieces put together. "I think it would be tough for anybody to handle what weve gone through. I believe the team has competed hard every week. Weve put forth the energy necessary to be a competitive team. Nobody has ever given up. We were just not good enough." Nik... Air Max 90 Uomo . "I showed them, didnt I?" he said before cracking a smile and laughing. Once again, a team intentionally walked Mark Teixeira to pitch to A-Rod. Ni... Air Max 90 Donna . The value of the contract was confirmed by Brunners agent, Neil Sheehy. Brunner has been attending the Devils training camp on a professional tryout. http://www.saldinikescar... . The club and defenceman Chris Phillips have agreed to a three year deal worth approximately $9.25 million. He is making $3. [url=http://www.saldinikescarpe.it/nike-air-max-90/nike-air-max-90-uomo.html]Nik... Scarpe Air Max 90 Uomo Prezzi . Miller, the Riders director of football operations, fired head coach Greg Marshall and offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry on Friday, the day after Saskatchewans 24-18 road loss to the Toronto Argonauts. Sc... Nike Air Max 90 Donna .C. -- Cam Ward couldnt have picked a better way to record his 200th NHL victory. WINNIPEG -- Aaron Gagnons first NHL goal was a big one for the Winnipeg Jets. Gagnon scored the winner Tuesday to help the Winnipeg Jets lock up a key 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. "The first one always is the one you remember for the rest of your life," said the 26-year-old from Quesnel, B.C., playing his third game this season after being called up from the AHLs St. Johns IceCaps. "I guess you couldnt getem at a better time, especially right now when were trying to claw our way back in the playoff race here." It was the second win in a row for the Jets (20-19-2) during a six-game homestand that will likely determine whether or not the club makes the post-season. "I think we like what weve done the last two games but theres a long way to go here and weve got to keep our foot on the pedal," said Jets captain Andrew Ladd, who had a goal and an assist in the second period Tuesday. Winnipeg head coach Claude Noel said his team has to use the same formula Thursday when they face the Florida Panthers, currently last in the Eastern Conference: "Patience and comfort and work." The win left the Jets tied on points at 42 with the New York Rangers, who still held the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Washington Capitals remained two points ahead at the top of the Southeast Division after a win in Montreal. The Jets have played more games than most teams in the East, although the gap is narrowing. Gagnons goal came on a pass from Dustin Byfuglien that found him in the slot in front of Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller. It was a mirror image of Kyle Wellwoods opening goal just five minutes earlier in the second period on a pass from Evander Kane. "I was hoping hed look for me there," said Gagnon.dddddddddddd "I just tried to find a soft spot and he fed a nice one in there for me." Blake Wheeler scored Winnipegs final goal into an empty net. Kevin Porter replied for the Sabres (16-18-6) and spoiled what could have been Ondrej Pavelecs first shutout of the season in the third. His shot glanced off Wheeler and Pavelec finished with 29 saves. Pavelec also passed the 6,000-save mark Tuesday night. Sabres interim head coach Ron Rolston said they turned things on in the third but it was a case of too little too late. "We were lucky to get some bounces there but again there was a couple of odd-man rushes we didnt even get a shot on net, obviously thats important," he said. The Jets dominated early. The first period looked like a Winnipeg power play until the last few minutes and it took almost seven minutes for the Sabres to put a shot on the board. Both teams struck out on their real power-play opportunities -- three for the Sabres and one for the Jets -- and Winnipeg relied on Pavelecs goaltending once again to keep them out of trouble. "I thought Pavelec really helped at key times," said Noel. "Games like that can really get away from you and I think thats one of the things that we dont talk very much about, we just assume that these goaltenders just stop pucks ... he gives you that comfort." Winnipeg defenceman Tobias Enstrom and Little headed to the Winnipeg dressing room during the first. Little took a puck on the wrist from a teammate but returned to the game and Noel said Enstrom, who didnt come back, was suffering from strained muscles and will be evaluated day-to-day. cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '