Global News Edmonton has reported:

The B.C. Lions will host the West Division semifinal on Oct. 31 in Vancouver, and head coach Buck Pierce wants his team to improve its play before the post-season. B.C. lost 32-13 to the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, but had already secured second place in the West after the Edmonton Elks defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers the previous evening.

The Lions (10-7) finish the regular season against Winnipeg on Friday. With their playoff position settled, managing playing time was a priority in Calgary: quarterback Nathan Rourke was removed after completing eight of 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Rourke was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player last season.

Backup Kaidon Salter played the second half, completing six of 14 passes for 113 yards and throwing one interception. B.C.’s leading receivers, Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis, also missed some snaps. Pierce did not spell out his plans for using players against Winnipeg when asked Friday, saying, “We’ll see.”

Salter said he views the game as an opportunity to show what he can do if he gets the chance. “Once I’m in the game, it should look no different from when Rourke’s in the game,” he said. Though nothing is at stake for B.C. in the regular-season finale, Pierce said the team needs to produce a full effort to carry momentum into the semifinal.

“We need to be playing better football down the stretch and that’s the message to the guys,” Pierce said. B.C. won its only previous meeting with Winnipeg this season, beating the Blue Bombers 35-19 on July 30 in Winnipeg. Salter said he wants the Lions to play together and do their best, adding, “Just stay together, stick together, just keep on being one, being one brotherhood.” He said his attention remains on the final regular-season game before he thinks about the playoffs.

The Lions entered Saturday’s game having won nine of their previous 10 after starting the season 1-5, making them the CFL’s hottest team. They are waiting to learn whether their semifinal opponent will be Winnipeg, Calgary or the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Calgary’s playoff prospects depend on Winnipeg losing Friday, so the Stampeders and their fans will be supporting B.C.

Dave Dickenson, Calgary’s coach and general manager, said he hoped Pierce would use his starters. “I’ll be lobbying to say ‘hey, you don’t want to go into playoffs on a losing streak, a two-game losing streak,'” Dickenson said. B.C. is seeking a home playoff win and a place in the West final on Nov. 7 in Edmonton, which would put the Lions a win from reaching their first Grey Cup since 2011, when they won as the host team. “There’s a lot to clean up and we’re just excited to get back to work,” Pierce said. The Canadian Press report was first published Oct. 18, 2026.