Canadian football news — the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to the Eastern Final after a 25 to 22 win over the Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field on Saturday, sealed by a Nic Demski touchdown with 50 seconds left and a two point convert that turned a five point deficit into a three point win.
By Maplestime Sports Desk | Toronto, Ontario | October 31, 2026
Sources: theScore, TSN, CFL Game Tracker | Last updated: October 31, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Winnipeg 25, Toronto 22 in the CFL East Semifinal at BMO Field.
- Nic Demski caught a 23 yard touchdown pass from Dru Brown with 50 seconds left, and the two point convert put Winnipeg ahead for good.
- Winnipeg trailed 22 to 17 before the final drive and now advances to the Eastern Final against the Montreal Alouettes next weekend.
- Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly left in the fourth quarter with an apparent arm injury after throwing for 193 yards and one touchdown; Nick Arbuckle finished the game for Toronto.
- Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made five field goals, but it was not enough to hold the lead.
How the Final Minute Flipped the Game
Toronto led 22 to 17 when Winnipeg got the ball for one last push, and the Bombers made it count. Dru Brown found Nic Demski deep on the right side for a 23 yard touchdown with 50 seconds on the clock, and the two point convert gave Winnipeg a 25 to 22 lead it did not give back. It was a cold finish to a game Toronto had controlled on the scoreboard for most of the second half, and it sends Winnipeg to Montreal next weekend with the season still alive.
The ending also capped a wild fourth quarter for Toronto. Starting quarterback Chad Kelly, who had thrown for 193 yards and a touchdown, left the game midway through the quarter with an apparent arm injury after shaking out his throwing arm several times. Backup Nick Arbuckle took over, but Toronto could not add to its lead, and Winnipeg’s final drive decided it.
Scoring Summary
First quarter: Winnipeg opened the scoring when Dru Brown hit Ontaria Wilson for a 32 yard touchdown, then Toronto answered on a 20 yard touchdown pass from Chad Kelly to Tyler Kahmann. The quarter ended tied 7 to 7.
Second quarter: Lirim Hajrullahu kicked three field goals for Toronto, from 42, 37 and 28 yards, while Sergio Castillo answered with a 42 yard field goal for Winnipeg. Toronto led 16 to 10 at halftime.
Third quarter: Hajrullahu added a 10 yard field goal to stretch the lead to 19 to 10, but Winnipeg’s David Reese scooped up a Kelly fumble after a sack by Michael Fletcher and returned it for a touchdown. Toronto led 19 to 17 going to the fourth.
Fourth quarter: Hajrullahu’s 41 yard field goal made it 22 to 17 Toronto with 12:27 left. Then came the Demski touchdown and the two point convert with 50 seconds left for the 25 to 22 final.
What Comes Next
The winner of this game takes on the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Final next weekend. Winnipeg crossed over to the East for the second consecutive season, and now one more win puts the Bombers in the Grey Cup conversation again.
Why This Win Matters for Winnipeg
Winnipeg trailed for most of the second half, lost the turnover battle in stretches, and still found a way. That is the kind of win that changes how a locker room sees itself in November. The Bombers were 9 and 9 in the regular season and needed everything to go right on the road in Toronto. On Saturday, it did, with 50 seconds to spare.
Maplestime will provide updates from the CFL playoffs as announcements are made.
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Do you think this Bombers team can go all the way to the Grey Cup now, or was this escape act a warning sign? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Canadian following the CFL playoffs this weekend.
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