(Edmonton) The defending Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos will kick-off the 2004 CFL regular season with a Grey Cup rematch when they face the Alouettes in Montreal, Saturday June 19th . Edmonton defeated Montreal 34-22 in the 2003 Grey Cup in Regina. It’s the first time since 1968 that Edmonton has opened its season with a game in Montreal.

Edmonton’s home opener is Saturday, June 26th when Dave Dickenson and the BC Lions visit Commonwealth Stadium. The Calgary Stampeders under new head coach/GM Matt Dunigan make one regular season trip to Edmonton on Friday, September 10th in the Labour Day Re-Match. ‘Rider fans will “walk among us” Friday, August 20th when Saskatchewan makes it’s only visit to Edmonton. Winnipeg plays twice in Edmonton – Friday, July 30th and Sunday, October 24th in the final regular season game at Commonwealth Stadium.

Monday, October 11th, Edmonton will host Montreal in one of two CFL Thanksgiving Bowl games on this years’ schedule. The 2004 Eskimo schedule features 2 Saturday night games; 4 Friday night contests, 2 Sunday afternoon games and the Thanksgiving Bowl game.

Eskimo C.O.O. Rick LeLacheur says “I’m confident Eskimo fans will like the 2004 schedule. They’ve told us they enjoy Friday nights and weekend afternoons and the Thanksgiving Bowl game promises to be a very special event.”

The Green and Gold will get things started with a pre-season tilt in Saskatchewan on Sunday, May 30th and then face the new-look Stamps on Thursday, June 10th.

The CFL plans to release a broadcast schedule later in the week.

Edmonton, AB – The 2003 Grey Champion Edmonton Eskimos launched their 2004 season ticket renewal campaign today with exciting renewal incentives for fans.

"Fans renewing their tickets by February 29th will not only guarantee their seats for next season, but also qualify for a trip for two to Grey Cup 2004 in Ottawa,” Eskimo C.O.O Rick LeLacheur said. “Over 380,000 Eskimo fans helped us "Defend the Turf" last season and now we want them to help us "Defend the Cup" in 2004."

As well, one lucky season ticket holder in each section of the stadium will win 2 VIP passes to exclusive pre-season barbecue with Eskimo players and coaches.

In time for the holiday season, the Eskimos are offering the Football Fanatic ticket pack for just $40 that includes a ticket to both an Eskimo pre-season and regular season game, and single game tickets to the University of Alberta, Edmonton Huskies and Edmonton Wildcats. The Football Fanatic package is valued at $80.

REGINA (CP) - The Edmonton Eskimos just wanted to be CFL champions. Beating the Montreal Alouettes only made it sweeter.

Jason Tucker caught two touchdown passes and former Alouette Mike Pringle ran one in as the Eskimos downed Montreal 34-22 in a chilly Grey Cup game Sunday at Taylor Field.

A crowd of 50,909, which included new Liberal Leader Paul Martin and the provincial premiers, saw a game that started slowly, had a sudden burst of offence and then settled into a defensive battle in the second half.

The victory avenged a 25-16 loss to Montreal in the Grey Cup game last year in Edmonton and prevented the Alouettes from winning back-to-back titles for the first time.

``Our priority was to get back into this game, it truly didn't matter that it was against the Alouettes,'' said Edmonton coach Tom Higgins. ``It wasn't a question of trying to get even with anybody.''

``I wanted to win no matter who was on the other side of the football,'' added Pringle, who had a bitter parting with Montreal last winter after sitting out most of the 2002 campaign with a knee injury.

``The fact that it was Montreal was just icing on the cake. I had a lot of good years with that organization. It just happened to be them. We were destined to win this year.'''

Quarterback Ricky Ray also ran in for a TD while Sean Fleming added two field goals for Edmonton, which won its first Grey Cup since 1993 and the 12th in the team's history.

Tucker caught seven passes for 132 yards and was named the game's outstanding player.

Montreal wide receiver Ben Cahoon, who made a highlight-reel one-handed catch that set up an Alouette touchdown, was named the game's outstanding Canadian.

Anthony Calvillo threw touchdown passes to Cahoon and Sylvain Girard while running back Deonce Whitaker had a scoring toss to Pat Woodcock on an option play for Montreal, which also had a single by kicker Matt Kellett.

``It's disappointing because of the opportunities that slipped away,'' said Cahoon, who was also named the CFL's Outstanding Canadian for the 2003 season on Friday. ``There's not any sense that we don't have a great football team.

``We do. We like the way we match up with Edmonton. But they were definitely the better team this time and they deserve to hold up that trophy. I wish we could play them again.''

Ray victimized Montreal's young cornerbacks Brandon Williams and D.J. Johnson. Johnson was caught on a 42-yard completion to Ed Hervey that set up Pringle's four-yard TD run only 2:43 into the game.

Johnson was left behind again on a 41-yard TD pass to Tucker 2:25 into the second quarter.

``I was convinced we could exploit them,'' said Eskimos offensive co-ordinator Danny Maciocia, another former Montreal employee who was instrumental in bringing Pringle to Edmonton.

``We've got guys like Tucker and (Terry) Vaughn and Hervey and we were just throwing them up there and letting them chase them down. We knew they were going to blitz and when you do that, it's man-to-man coverage.''

Pringle, 36, ran for 70 yards on seven carries. He also passed the record of 359 career yards rushing in Grey Cup games set by Winnipeg legend Leo Lewis four decades ago.

``That's big,'' said Pringle, who says he will ``reflect'' before deciding whether to return next season. ``I've had a great career.

``Ninety-nine per cent of my experience in the CFL has been great. I've been blessed to play with so many talented guys.''

Montreal is 3-7 in 10 Grey Cup meetings with Edmonton in one of the league's most storied rivalries.

The teams combined for 38 points in a wild second quarter marked by fumbles and big plays.

Cahoon's spectacular one-handed catch put the ball on the Edmonton four and Whitaker threw a TD pass to Woodcock on a halfback option at 9:25.

A Pringle fumble put Montreal on the Edmonton 32 and, on the next play, Calvillo fumbled the snap, picked up the ball and found Girard alone in the end zone at 11:37. It was redemption for Girard, who had fumbled earlier in the half to halt a promising drive.

Keith Stokes fumbled a punt to give Edmonton the ball at the Montreal 46 and, three plays later, Ray hit Tucker with a 10-yard TD pass with 1:23 left in the half.

Montreal marched straight back and Cahoon caught a 27-yard TD pass to tie the game, but Stokes fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up a Fleming's 27-yard field goal with 11 second left in the half.

All the action halted in the third quarter as defences took over and the only point was Kellett's punt single.

``It was an opportunity to take over the game and we just didn't do anything on offence in a crucial third quarter,'' said Cahoon.

Bad blood between the teams was evident, with both sides taking cheap shots and talking trash after plays.

``It was a Grey Cup game, so it was nasty,'' said Alouettes defensive tackle Ed Philion. ``That's the way it should be played - hard, physical and tough. But it was a clean, hard-fought game.''

Parka-clad fans in the steeply banked grandstands seemed to favour Edmonton, although most wore the green of the hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders, who were eliminated by Edmonton in the West Division final last week.

After a mild, windless week in Regina, a stiff breeze with a minus-15 C wind chill swept in just before game time, playing havoc with the kicking game and apparently making the ball difficult to handle.

Edmonton locked up the win when Johnson was called for interference on Tucker in the end zone, setting up Ray's TD on a one-yard plunge at 1:38 of the final quarter.

The Alouettes gave up the ball on downs at their 11 when Kelvin Kinney sacked Calvillo, setting up Fleming's field goal with 29 seconds to play.

The Eskimos have played a record 23 Grey Cup games and are 12-11. Montreal played its 13th and is 5-8.