A win is a win.

No matter how they come, all that matters is adding to the win column when it’s all said and done and the Calgary Stampeders were able to do that in a 17-16 win over the Ottawa RedBlacks TD Place Stadium.

The victory was the second straight for the Stamps as they were able to shake off five turnovers to improve to 4-2 all in the while giving Ottawa their fourth straight loss.

In a game that saw the Stampeders fail to register a touchdown, Mr. Automatic, Rene Paredes, was huge going 5/6 on the night including the biggest kick of the night with one second left in the fourth quarter to send the boys from Cowtown home happy.

Nick Arbuckle put on yet another solid start ending with 370 yards on 30/37 passing while his counterpart – Jonathon Jennings – finished 15/18 for 125 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. RedBlacks kicker Lewis Ward extended was perfect knocking down all three of his field goal attempts.

The night started off with Ottawa making quick work on their first drive of the game, as Ward would hit a 38 yard field goal which was set up by a big kickoff return of 58 yards by Devonte Dedmon to put the home side up 3-0.

The Stampeders would answer back with Rene Paredes nailing a pair of field goals from 47 and 23 yards out, his second set up by Chris Casher forcing a fumble that was recovered by Wynton McManis at the Ottawa 35 making short work for the offence to get the kicker in scoring positon.

On the very next Ottawa play, Jennings was picked off by Richardson Daniel, his third pick of the season, but the Stamps were unable to capitalize on the change of possession as J.R. Tavai got the ball right back to the Ottawa offence with his force fumble recovered by M. Klassen at the Calgary 42.

Ottawa got the back to even thanks to the turnover with Ward hitting an easy 13-yard chip shot to even the game up at 6-6 to round out the scoring in the first quarter.

The defence continued to dominate in the second quarter, as the Stamps were able to pick off Jennings again this time coming in the hands of Amos but similar to the first interception, a turnover on downs by the offence gave the RedBlacks the ball right back.

Paredes and Ward would trade field goals to send the game knotted up at 9-9 headed into the second half, where Paredes would put up the only points of the quarter on the board knocking down a 44 yard attempt to give the visitors a 12-9 into the final quarter.

History between the two clubs has always shown a nail bitter decided in the final minutes of the game and Thursday night was looking like it would be more of the same. The RedBlacks would finally find the endzone as Jennings would hook up with Brad Sinopoli for a 26 yard score to give the home side their first lead since the opening drive at 16-12.

With time running out, Arbuckle found a streaking Richard Sindani at the Ottawa 17 and the receiver turned and burned for 16 yards looking for the endzone but was stripped by Corey Tindal at the goal-line giving the RedBlacks the ball with just 1:37.

Cue the dramatic finish.

Instead of punting the football that would’ve forced the Stamps to need a touchdown to win the game, Ottawa would surrender a safety setting up an interesting final minute.

Needing a big return to get into scoring range, Terry Williams answer the call once again with yet another big run.

The returner picked up 28 massive yards to set the Stamps offence at midfield as Arbuckle and the rest of the offence got the ball down to the 24 setting up Paredes to play the role of hero.

It was a scene that has been played time and time again, a Paredes kick up and good to give the Stamps a win.