The B.C. LionsB次元官网网址� message since MayB次元官网网址檚 training camp in Kamloops has been clear: push beyond the Western final and win the Grey Cup.

Last season ended on a snowy day at I.G. Field with a 28-20 loss to the 2021 champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Now, the Lions (12-6) find themselves heading back to Manitoba, eager to put last yearB次元官网网址檚 loss behind them and exact some revenge on the Bombers.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. didnB次元官网网址檛 start last yearB次元官网网址檚 West Division final B次元官网网址� he was backup to ex-Lions starter Nathan Rourke B次元官网网址� but he said its memory and aftermath has hung heavy with the team.

B次元官网网址淲e remember the feeling from last year and trying not to feel that again,B次元官网网址� Adams said. B次元官网网址淚t was tough. We remember that feeling when we lost by eight points B次元官网网址� it came to the last drive. We donB次元官网网址檛 want to feel that again.B次元官网网址�

The two teams have faced off three times this season, with B.C. winning the opening bout 30-6 before losing the next two B次元官网网址� including a 34-26 overtime loss on Oct. 6.

The Lions had a chance to win that game at the end, with receiver Dominique Rhymes surging forward into open field in the dying seconds of the game only to be dragged down at the five-yard line as time expired.

Adams completed 19 of 33 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown. But the Lions managed just 100 passing yards in the second half as their high-flying offence sputtered when it mattered most.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e seen these guys three times,B次元官网网址� Lions head coach Rick Campbell. B次元官网网址淭hey have multiple good players and theyB次元官网网址檙e a veteran group thatB次元官网网址檚 been around and a coaching group thatB次元官网网址檚 been around.B次元官网网址�

But the Lions are also confident in their own abilities, he added.

B次元官网网址淲e know two things,B次元官网网址� Campbell said. B次元官网网址淲e know that itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a tough task to beat Winnipeg as theyB次元官网网址檙e a very good team, on the flip side we know weB次元官网网址檙e a good team too and when we show up and play really good football, weB次元官网网址檙e tough to beat.B次元官网网址�

The Lions have spent the week training at B.C. Place this week in an attempt to mimic the noise they will have to put up with in Winnipeg.

Adams won his first playoff game last week and set a new team playoff passing record by throwing for 413 yards, along with five touchdowns. He eclipsed the old franchise playoff mark of 375 yards set by Roy Dewalt in 1983.

Last seasonB次元官网网址檚 Western final loss fuelled the teamB次元官网网址檚 motivation, shaping their approach to the pre-season and leaving a mark on the 2023 CFL regular season.

Wide receiver coach Jason Tucker put it clearly back in May when asked about the goal for the season.

B次元官网网址淲e just need to get over that hump of one more game,B次元官网网址� he said, referring to the loss to Winnipeg.

Wide receiver Lucky Whitehead added the team had B次元官网网址渓eft meat on the boneB次元官网网址� with how their season ended.

Adams said he views the game as just another challenge for the Lions.

B次元官网网址淲e just got to keep building, keep stacking, not peaking too early,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always fun playing the Bombers B次元官网网址� the challenge is awesome.B次元官网网址�

The CFL has given the Lions a three per cent chance of winning the Grey Cup this season, noting that no second placed West Division team has won the Grey Cup since the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013.

Campbell said as a coach, he appreciates the motivation, but is looking at the larger picture.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e come a long way from Kamloops and training camp with the opportunity to play one game to go to the Grey Cup, so we just want to make the most of the opportunity and go from there,B次元官网网址� he said.

READ ALSO: Adams rushes for 3 TDs as Lions beat Calgary 41-30 for West final berth