Rare footage of a battle in the mud and rain between Hilltops and Thunder
You could call it the mud bowl. Or the rain bowl. Or both.
Sometimes a football game can become an instant classic because of the conditions it was played in.
Many Saskatoon Hilltops and Regina Thunder fans will remember a historic contest where the two teams played in some soaking elements.
CTV News has found rare footage of a game in 2002 at Gordie Howe Bowl in Saskatoon, where the Thunder were trying to get their first-ever victory against the Saskatoon Hilltops.
There were plenty of turnovers, fumbles, some wild plays, and a lot of sliding around on the slick and muddy field.
Even the field goalposts were making their presence felt as the Regina Thunders Ryan Anderson ran right into a chunk of steel. Thankfully he looked ok.
The Hilltops struck first with an interception return for a touchdown.
But the wet football caused more problems for the hilltops as they fumbled in their own end. And after a few bounces on a wet field, the Regina Thunder would recover.
However, one play later the Thunder give it right back as the Hilltops recover a loose ball inside their own five-yard line.
The Hilltops eventually give up a safety to make it 13-8 for Saskatoon.
But with only six minutes to go in the game, Thunder receiver Matt Yantz would grab a John Makie pass, break a tackle, and rumble into the endzone to give the Thunder the lead 14-13.
Saskatoon would get into field goal range late in the game, but the Thunder defence would strike again as Jimmy Stewart would come up with an interception.
Yantz’s touchdown reception would be the game winner as the thunder went onto win 14-13.
It was a historic result as it was the first time since the Rams era, that the new Regina thunder junior football franchise defeated the Saskatoon Hilltops.
And as for the conditions? Well, you can bet laundry machines were working overtime the next day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Competition Bureau launches inquiry into Lululemon over 'greenwashing' allegations
Canada's Competition Bureau has launched an inquiry into Vancouver-based Lululemon following a complaint from members of an environmental group.
An American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, U.S. officials say
An American soldier has been arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, according to U.S. officials. The soldier was stationed in South Korea and was in the process of returning home to the United States, but travelled to Russia.
Manitoba Court of Appeal dismisses Peter Nygard's appeal of extradition order
The Manitoba Court of Appeal has dismissed Peter Nygard's application for a judicial review of an order to extradite the former fashion mogul to the United States, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges.