2006 was an extremely competitive season for the Canadian Football League, as only two teams had losing records. The regular season was easily dominated by the BC Lions, who won the Western Division with a strong 13-5-0 record, and a three game lead over Calgary (10-8-0), and Saskatchewan (9-9-0). The Eastern Division was much tighter as Montreal (10-8-0) would win the division on tie breakers over Toronto (10-8-0) and Winnipeg (9-9-0). In the first round of the playoffs, it was Toronto over Winnipeg 31-27, while Saskatchewan would take care of Calgary 30-21. In the Divisional Finals, it was Montreal rolling past Toronto 33-24, while the BC Lions would crush Saskatchewan 45-18, setting up the match-up for the 94th Grey Cup. The 94th Grey Cup game took place on November 19, 2006, at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba before 44,786 fans. The BC Lions defeated the Montreal Alouettes, 25-14. Montreal won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. BC elected to go on defense on the first series, and Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo threw two incomplete passes to begin the game. BC quarterback Dave Dickenson responded with four consecutive passes before rushing for a 12-yard gain setting up a first down on the Montreal 32. Two plays later, BC settled for a Paul McCallum 34-yard field goal to go ahead 3-0. The Als were forced to punt again on their second possession, putting the Lions on their own 18-yard line. Joe Smith reeled off a 17-yard run on the first play, and after another first down, Dickenson hit Ryan Thelwell with a 14-yard pass past midfield. Paris Jackson made a 14-yard catch of his own but Buck Pierce, filling in for Dickenson, was sacked for a nine-yard loss by Adriano Belli. Dickenson came back in and hit Thelwell with a 16-yard pass, setting up a McCallum 35-yard field goal. Aaron Hunt forced Calvillo to fumble on the next play, with Javier Glatt recovering the ball on the Montreal 23. This set up another McCallum field goal, this one from 24 yards out, giving BC a 9-0 lead. The Als finally forced BC to punt early in the second quarter, but were pinned on their own two-yard line on a coffin corner punt. Montreal got one first down before being forced to punt again. Starting on his own 43-yard line, Jackson made a highlight reel 18-yard catch. Ian Smart took it 25 yards the rest of the way for the games opening touchdown, growing BC's lead to 16-0. The Als defense began to stiffen, giving Montreal possession on its own 48-yard line with 2:26 remaining in the half. Calvillo hit Ben Cahoon for a 25-yard again. Duval was good on a 43-yard field goal, putting the Alouettes on the scoreboard 16-3. McCallum booted a 30-yard field goal as the first half expired to put the Lions ahead 19-3. Early in the third quarter, Dickenson appeared to fumble the ball on a sack by R-Kal Truluck which was recovered by Chip Cox who had nothing but daylight for a touchdown. But Jake Ireland ruled Dickenson was down before the losing the ball, which was overturned by instant replay, the first in Grey Cup history. By rule, the Als got the ball on the BC 42, and were forced to punt. Duval got a coffin corner kick, pinning the Lions on their own one-yard line. McCallum ultimately conceded two points, making the score 19-5. The Alouettes went to work from their own 35-yard line. Calvillo hit Mike Vilimek on a 16-yard pass, then Cahoon with a 13-yard strike before
calling his own number on a six-yard run. Robert Edwards ran for seven yards, followed by Thyron Andersons 13-yard reception. Cahoons 11-yard grab and Edwards five-yard run before a BC offside penalty set up Edwards two-yard touchdown run. With the convert Montreal trailed 19-12. McCallum booted a 21-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to put the Lions in front by 10. He added a 47-yard field goal to tie a Grey Cup record with his sixth, extending BC's lead to 25-12. The most crucial play of the game came with 4:06 remaining in the 4th quarter. Calvillo drove the Alouettes down field within the Lions' 5 Yard line. On first down the Lions defense stuffed Edwards before the ball crossed the goal line. On the ensuing play, Calvillo again handed off to Edwards, but Javier Glatt leaped over the Montreal offensive line and knocked the football from Edwards hands. Otis Floyd recovered the ball for the Lions. At first, Jim Popp threw the challenge flag but later picked it up, a decision which would be criticized given the circumstance. Even after such a swing in momentum, the Lions still had the ball at their one-yard line. The ball was handed off to Smith, who gained short yardage. Faced with second and long, and possibility of a punt that would give Montreal great field position, Dickenson completed a crucial pass to Geroy Simon that gave the Lions a first down. McCallum gave up another safety with 1:43 remaining to make the score 25-14, but the Alouettes couldn't get closer than the BC 15-yard line before time ran out. Dave Dickenson would receive MVP honors, while Paul McCallum would be honored as the Most valuable Canadian.