September 1, 2010

By the Numbers: Labour Day Classics

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — Labour Day has always served the purpose of intensifying the most heated rivalries in Canadian football. As the Grey Cup draws closer with each passing week, the annual classics represent a turning point in the CFL season. It is the ultimate proving ground where contenders begin their ascent to greatness and pretenders fade into obscurity. To honour the tradition of these historic matchups, CFL.ca presents Labour Day Classics, By the Numbers.

Overall

6,182- Points scored, all teams
1,760- Total margin of victory (points)
134- Total Labour Day Classics played
49- Games decided by 7 points or less
46.1- Average points scored per game, both teams
27- Games decided by 3 points or less
13.1- Average margin of victory per game
2- Games tied (1-TOR/HAM & 1-EDM/CGY)

Bombers/Riders series (since 1950)

Saskatchewan leads all-time series 27-16
Saskatchewan leads in decades won 4-1-1
First game: September 4, 1950: SSK 17 WPG 2
Last game: September 6, 2009: SSK 29 WPG 14

2,126- Points scored, both teams
1,193- Points scored by Saskatchewan
933- Points scored by Winnipeg
546- Total margin of victory (points)
62.8- Saskatchewan’s winning percentage in series’ history
56- Most points scored by one team, game *1991 & 1995, SSK
52- Biggest margin of victory *1995, SSK 56 WPG 4
49.4- Average points scored per game, both teams
43- Labour Day Classics played
43- Games played in Saskatchewan
29- Consecutive years playing Labour Day Classic (1982-2010)
27.7- Average points scored per game, Saskatchewan
27- Games won by Saskatchewan
21.7- Average points scored per game, Winnipeg
16- Games won by Winnipeg
16- Games decided by 7 points or less
12.7- Average margin of victory per game
8- Games decided by 3 points or less
8- Most wins in a decade by Saskatchewan (1990’s)
5- Current winning streak by Saskatchewan (2005-09) *the series’ longest to date
5- Most wins in a decade by Winnipeg (1980’s)
4- Winnipeg’s longest winning streak in series (1978-82)

Argos/Ticats series (since 1948)

Hamilton leads all-time series 28-14-1
Hamilton leads in decades won 6-1
First game: September 6, 1948: TOR 14 HAM 7
Last game: September 7, 2009: HAM 34 TOR 15

1,850- Points scored, both teams
993- Points scored by Hamilton
857- Points scored by Toronto
618- Total margin of victory (points)
66.3- Hamilton’s winning percentage in series’ history
56- Most points scored by one team, game *1988, HAM
43.0- Average points scored per game, both teams
43- Labour Day Classics played
43- Games played in Hamilton
43- Biggest margin of victory *1997, TOR 46 HAM 3
28- Games won by Hamilton
23.1- Average points scored per game, Hamilton
19.9- Average points scored per game, Toronto
16- Games decided by 7 points or less
15- Consecutive years playing Labour Day Classic (1996-2010)
14.4- Average margin of victory per game
14- Games won by Toronto
9- Games decided by 3 points or less
8- Most wins in a decade by Hamilton (1950’s)
5- Longest winning streak in series’ history by Hamilton (1955-59, 1988-93 & 1998-2002)
4- Most wins in a decade by Toronto (2000’s) *plus 1 tie
3- Toronto’s longest winning streak in series (1994-97 & 2006-08)
2- Games played as Hamilton Flying Wildcats before 1950 Tiger-Cats merger (1948-49)
2- Losses as Hamilton Flying Wildcats
1- Game tied/Overtime game *2004, HAM 30 TOR 30 (2OT)

Esks/Stamps series (since 1950)

Edmonton leads all-time series 28-19-1
Edmonton leads in decades won 3-2-1
First game: September 4, 1950: EDM 18 CGY 8
Last game: September 7, 2009: CGY 32 EDM 8

2,206- Points scored, both teams
1,112- Points scored by Edmonton
1,094- Points scored by Calgary
596- Total margin of victory (points)
59.4- Edmonton’s winning percentage in series’ history
51- Most points scored by one team, game *1995, CGY
48- Labour Day Classics played
46.0- Average points scored per game, both teams
44- Games played in Calgary (since 1959)
34- Biggest margin of victory *1990, EDM 38 CGY 4
29- Consecutive years playing Labour Day Classic (1982-2010)
28- Games won by Edmonton
23.2- Average points scored per game, Edmonton
22.8- Average points scored per game, Calgary
19- Games won by Calgary
17- Games decided by 7 points or less
12.4- Average margin of victory per game
10- Games decided by 3 points or less
8- Longest undefeated streak in series’ history by Edmonton (1972-80)
*includes 8 wins and 1 tie (1978)
7- Longest winning streak in series’ history by Edmonton (1950-61)
7- Most wins in a decade by Edmonton (1980’s)
7- Most wins in a decade by Calgary (1990’s)
6- Calgary’s longest winning streak in series (1993-98)
4- Games played in Edmonton (1950-53)
1- Overtime game *1999, EDM 33 CGY 30 (OT)
1- Game tied *1978, EDM 28 CGY 28
1- Shutout *1951, EDM 5 CGY 0

– all stats have been compiled since 1948 and are up to date through the 2009 season