THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY - The B.C. Lions had their chances, but just couldn't get the ball into the end zone against the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions had to settle for six Paul McCallum field goals in a 22-18 loss in the West Division final, while the Stamps scored a pair of touchdowns to punch their ticket to the Grey Cup next Sunday in Montreal against the Alouettes.

"I don't want to be vicious about it," said B.C. coach and general manager Wally Buono after the setback to end his squad's season. "We get paid to win football games. We worked hard and I thought we put ourselves in the position to win the football game. When they had an opportunity, they scored touchdowns. When we had opportunities, we didn't."

Running back Stefan Logan had 18 carries for 130 yards against the Stamps, but couldn't break off a run into the end zone to help his team's chances.

"We came out and we were running the ball and we were passing the ball and doing a great job," Logan said. "The offensive line was blocking up front, the defence was doing a hell of a job stopping them. We just couldn't finish for some reason."

Despite gaining 15 first downs to Calgary's four and controlling the time-of-possession battle by a two-to-one margin through the first two quarters, B.C. only led 12-9 going into the second half.

"We did a good job for the most part of taking care of the football and eating some clock and just executing our offence," said B.C. quarterback Buck Pierce, who completed 16 of 29 passes for 262 yards and one interception.

"We needed to score better when we got down there and we just didn't get it done."

In the third quarter, the Lions had a glorious opportunity to take control of the game when Korey Banks picked off an errant Henry Burris pass and ran it back 27 yards to the Calgary one-yard line.

On the next two plays, Calgary defensive lineman Mike Labinjo tackled B.C. running back Ian Smart for losses of one and two yards and the Lions had to settle for another field goal to go up 15-9.

"It hurt us real bad," Logan exclaimed. "If we would have punched it in, it would have took some the momentum and it would have helped us out. It would have helped us out and we would have won this game."

Instead, the Stamps scored the next 13 points and held on for the win.

"We lost, but we've got a great team," Logan concluded. "I'm proud to be playing with these boys."

Logan predicted that the Lions will learn from the loss and put themselves in position to be a contender again next season.

"We're going come back and we're going to play them again next year," he said. "We're going to take it all the way. I guarantee that."

Defensive lineman Rob Murphy concurred with Logan that the Lions will once again be in the hunt for a berth in the 2009 Grey Cup when it's held in Calgary.

"We have great, great football players," Murphy said. "The B.C. Lions will always be in the mix as long as Wally's at the helm."