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
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
People in Gaza are 'wasting' from famine: World Food Programme director
World Food Programme executive director Cindy McCain says people living in Gaza are 'wasting' as famine concerns continue amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
WATCH Why today's inflation numbers are good if you have a mortgage
New inflation data is 'welcome news' for consumers and an economist says it could signal the possibility for a interest rate cut as several core measures also continue to ease.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
'Miscommunication' Liberals say of Speaker Fergus event invite Conservatives call partisan
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus is facing fresh Conservative-led calls to resign, this time over "very partisan" and 'inflammatory' language used – the Liberals say mistakenly – to promote an upcoming event.
'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the 'Team Canada' charm offensive to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada's ambassador to the United States downplayed the effect of another Trump presidency on Canada.