THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL -- There really was no place like home this year for the Montreal Alouettes.

Montreal was the CFL's top team this season, posting a league-best 15-3 record that included a perfect 9-0 mark at Molson Stadium. But the Alouettes won't be outdoors Sunday when they face the B.C. Lions in the East Division final (TSN, 1 p.m., ET). That game will be played at Olympic Stadium, a larger domed facility that's expected to attract more than 45,000 screaming Als fans.

Montreal was dominant at home, outscoring its opponents by more than a 2-to-1 margin (312 points for, 149 against). And the Alouettes sported a 6-2 record against its West Division rivals.

Despite finishing fourth in the West Division standings with an 8-10 record, the Lions were 4-5 on the road in 2009 and 4-4 versus East Division teams. B.C. and Montreal split their season series 1-1, with each team winning at home.

But their last meeting was Sept. 13 when Montreal took a 28-24 victory. The week before, the Lions earned a 19-12 home win over the Als.

GAME BREAKDOWN

The Alouettes defence will get its first look of the season at Lions starter Casey Printers. The CFL's outstanding player in 2004 had been unemployed since being released by Hamilton in February before returning to B.C. last month.

On Sunday against Hamilton, Printers was 24-of-35 passing for 360 yards and a TD in leading the Lions to a thrilling 34-27 overtime win in the East Division semifinal. He also ran for a TD and was generally effective in using his feet to escape the Ticats' rush and buy his receivers time to get open downfield.

But B.C.'s offence isn't all about Printers. Rooking running back Martell Mallett finished fourth in CFL rushing with 1,240 yards while veteran slotback Geroy Simon (79 catches, 1,239 yards, six TDs) was the Lions' go-to receiver this season.

Simon was definitely a factor in Sunday's win, registering five catches for 111 yards. However, it was Emmanuel Arceneaux who was the Lions' leading receiver with six catches for 120 yards.

Montreal counters with a stout defence that was clearly the CFL's best this year, leading in 21 of the league's 25 defensive categories, including fewest points allowed (18 per game), passing yards (245.7 per game), yards rushing (75.1 per game) and combined yards (296 per game). The Alouettes also know what to do when they get their hands on the football, returning 24 interceptions (second-most in the CFL) a league-high 455 yards.

The Alouettes' offence is no slouch, either. With Anthony Calvillo, the East Division's nominee for most outstanding player, leading the way, Montreal finished first in points scored (33.3 per game), total yards (390.3 per game) and passing yards (288.4 per game) and second overall in rushing yards (119.9 per game).

B.C. did a great job pressuring the quarterback this year with a CFL-high 45 sacks and added five more in the win over Hamilton. End Ricky Foley led the way with 12 sacks while fellow end Brent Johnson had three against the Ticats.

Montreal did allow 35 sacks this year, but that's a solid effort up front considering the club threw 633 passes.

Printers makes this game interesting and will present Montreal with a solid challenge. But the Alouettes' defence has the quickness and versatility to capably handle the Lions.