RedBlacks down Eskimos to book return to Grey Cup

The Ottawa RedBlacks are heading back to the Grey Cup after a 35-23 win over the Edmonton Eskimos in the Eastern final on Sunday.

Kienan Lafrance led the way for the RedBlacks, racking up 157 yards rushing inside a snow-covered TD Place Stadium, while 41-year-old Henry Burris threw for 246 yards and two scores in tough conditions to secure a second straight trip to the championship game.

It was the Eskimos who defeated Ottawa in last year's Grey Cup, but they were denied the chance at becoming the first crossover team to make the final game, falling behind 17-3 by halftime.

Mike Reilly led a second-half comeback with three touchdown passes, bringing the Eskimos within five late in the fourth quarter. As he had all game, Lafrance would prove to be too much to handle, scoring a 20-yard touchdown with 53 seconds left to seal the win.

The return trip to the Grey Cup for Ottawa marks the second time in the brief three-year history of the club that the RedBlacks have qualified for the contest.