Ambrosie doesn't feel chippy game negatively impacted Touchdown Atlantic experience

TORONTO — CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie doesn't believe a chippy game between the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders negatively impacted the 2022 Touchdown Atlantic experience.

In fact, Ambrosie felt this year's edition of the series was the best ever.

"I can't help but feel it was just an overwhelming success," Ambrosie said Monday. "I was in Halifax on Sunday and everywhere I went people stopped and wanted to talk about it.

"The overall tone was one of intense appreciation and enthusiasm. By an overwhelming margin, the feedback on the entire week was just incredibly positive."

Toronto defeated Saskatchewan 30-24 on Saturday before an enthusiastic gathering of 10,886 at Raymond Field in Wolfville, N.S. There was plenty of celebration during the week in Halifax and the game-day atmosphere at Acadia University was both electric and upbeat.

Wynton McManis's 50-yard interception return TD late in the fourth quarter highlighted the intense, hard-hitting contest. But the game also featured 25 penalties and the ejection of Toronto defensive back Jamal Peters in the fourth for a second misconduct foul.

There was also an ugly pre-game incident involving Saskatchewan receiver Duke Williams and Toronto defensive back Shaq Richardson. A video showed Williams picking up Richardson's helmet and throwing it at him before the two players were separated.

No penalties were called and both players participated in the game. But after the contest, Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie accused Williams of twice spitting in Richardson's face — during the pre-game incident as well as the second half.

Ambrosie said the league is continuing its investigation regarding possible discipline. Last week, the CFL slapped Saskatchewan