Brown's late TD pass to Demski earns Bombers 25-22 East semifinal win over Argos

Dru Brown's 23-yard TD pass to Nick Demski with 44 seconds remaining rallied the Winnipeg Blue Bombers past the Toronto Argonauts 25-22 in the East Division semifinal Saturday afternoon.

After the TD pass to cap a 52-yard, five-play drive, Brown hit Demski on the two-point covert. The march was set up by former Argo Thiadric Hansen's recovery of Janarion Grant's fumble on a punt return.

Winnipeg will travel to Montreal for the East final next weekend. The Alouettes and Bombers split their season series 1-1.

Toronto starter Chad Kelly left with just over nine minutes remaining with an apparent right shoulder injury. Kelly had completed 18-of-30 passes for 193 yards and a TD before a season-high 21,786 spectators at BMO Field on a gorgeous fall afternoon and didn't return.

Toronto's defence forced four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles). But the offence mustered just three field goals, which kept Winnipeg in the game. And with 2:07 to play, the Argos opted to punt on third-and-one from its 45-yard line, giving Winnipeg possession at its 24 with 1:54 to play.

Nick Arbuckle was two-of-six passing for 25 yards in relief of Kelly.

Brown was 18-of-30 passing for 206 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.

Lirim Hajrullahu's 41-yard field goal at 2:37 gave Toronto a 22-17 lead.

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Winnipeg was making its second straight appearance in the East semifinal after losing 42-33 last year to Montreal.

Winnipeg is the 14th crossover team — all from the West — since the CFL adopted the format in 1996. Those teams have a 6-8 all-time record in the East playoffs, and none have reached the Grey Cup.

David Reese and Ontaria Wilson