Surging Lions take 6-game win streak into West Division semifinal

After a dreadful start to the season, the B.C. Lions are heading into the CFL playoffs on a six-game winning streak following a 27-21 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.

With the win, the Lions clinched second place in the West Division and a home playoff game. The victory improved B.C. to 11-7 and the Lions will now face the third-place Calgary Stampeders — who also finished with an 11-7 record — in the West semifinal on Nov. 1 in Vancouver.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who finished fourth in the West with a 10-8 mark, will crossover and travel to Montreal to play the 10-8 Alouettes in the East Division semifinal on Nov. 1.

The Lions limped out of the starting gate with a 1-3 mark and were 3-5 as the season headed into July. They turned their fortunes around in the second half of the schedule, going 8-2 and gaining momentum as the playoffs drew closer.

Quarterback Nathan Rourke feels the Lions were their own worst enemy early in the season.

"I think the games that we lost, we feel like we were basically shooting ourselves in the foot. When we got out of our own way and started making a few more plays, good things happened for us," said Rourke, who finished 23 of 28 passing for 366 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

"We've believed in ourselves since training camp. We believe in this team and believe in each other, and we've just got to go out there and execute."

Although the Lions overcame an 18-10 deficit to win the game, a controversial play five minutes into the third quarter had a major impact on the final result.

On a second-and-10 play from the Saskatchewan 12-yard line, Rourke hit Keon Hatcher in the flat. As Hatcher neared the goal line, he was hit by Riders defensive back