Breadcrumb Trail Links
SportsFootballCFLWinnipeg Blue Bombers Get the latest from Paul Friesen straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published Oct 31, 2025 • Last updated 12 hours ago • 2 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Dalton Schoen, centre, celebrates scoring a touchdown against the B.C. Lions with Nic Demski, left, and Keric Wheatfall, right, during the first half of a CFL football game in Vancouver. Photo by Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press /Winnipeg SunArticle content
He didn’t practice again all week and his head coach remained tight-lipped about his status for Saturday’s playoff game in Montreal.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski was listed as a game-time decision when the Bombers released their roster for the East semifinal, raising perhaps a sliver of hope the team’s top receiver could be available.
Article content
Article content
Demski suffered a hamstring injury in the Bombers’ loss in Edmonton, Oct. 11, their first game after a bye week.
Despite missing the last two regular-season games, he still finished as the squad’s top receiver, with 67 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, all Winnipeg highs.
The next receiver, Keric Wheatfall, was well back with 655 yards, while running back Brady Oliveira was second with 61 receptions.
Named a West Division all-star this week, Demski’s absence would be a sizable blow to a passing attack ranked last in the CFL with 235 yards per game.
The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The person who’d miss the Winnipegger the most: quarterback Zach Collaros.
“Zach trusts him like crazy,” head coach Mike O’Shea said before his team left for Montreal. “They’re on the same page all the time. They see defences the same, they see football the same way. And he’s always one of the better athletes on the field at all times.”
The offence would try to make up for Demski’s loss by committee, first-year Bomber Gavin Cobb likely taking his position in the starting lineup. Cobb caught six passes for 51 yards over the last two games.
There’s a good chance Winnipeg relies heavily on Oliveira, too, both on the ground and through the air.
The running back says they’ll also rely on defence and special teams.
“This is why it’s the greatest team sport,” Oliveira said. “You need everyone. Our defence has been playing lights-out all season, keeping us in games. And you look at our special teams, our cover units, our return units, Trey (Vaval) back there and the crew putting us in some great field position so as an offence we can go out there and execute.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“Down this stretch you’re going to need everyone.”
Montreal’s passing attack was ranked just two spots ahead of Winnipeg, but quarterback Davis Alexander started just seven games.
The four-year CFLer was one of the top-ranked passers in the league in those games, throwing for 2,24 yards with 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
As a team, the Alouettes threw just 15 interceptions, compared to Winnipeg’s league-worst 27. Montreal’s turnover ratio was plus-8, the Bombers’ minus-11, something players and coaches harped on all week.
“We’ve got to be clean, crisp, pristine,” is how offensive coordinator Jason Hogan put it. “Not give the ball away.”
Hogan’s reasons for optimism: “We’ve done it all year, we just haven’t done it for 60 minutes.”
paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca
X: @friesensunmedia
Article content
Share this article in your social network