Close, but not close enough.

It was heartbreak for the Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium this evening, as they fell 33-30 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL’s West Semi-Final.

The overtime affair was eventually decided by a Brett Lauther field goal, good enough to send the Riders to the West Final vs. the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell went 26-of-36 for 285 yards, while running back Ka’Deem Carey had himself a great night with 22 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

There was plenty of drama to start the game, as a Rene Paredes field goal attempt went wide right and was returned by Jamal Morrow a major, but it was called back due to an illegal block.

The Stamps then got on the board first after a Jonathan Moxey interception was returned to the five yard line to put the visitors in great scoring position. Carey would finish the job, running it in for a touchdown on the following play.

The Riders answered back with a field goal early in the second quarter, a 17-yard boot from Lauther.

With 8:08 remaining in the frame the Riders’ Morrow returned a Cody Grace punt 69 yards for a touchdown, putting Saskatchewan on top.

The Stamps would settle for a punt single on the following drive.

The Riders extended their lead on the first series of the second half, as a Cody Fajardo and Kian Schaffer-Baker connected on an endzone strike to make it 17-8.

Paredes chipped away at the gap on the following drive with a 28 yard field goal capping off a six play, 65-yard march down the field. He’d hit once more from 25 yards out at 2:28 remaining in the third to cut the Riders lead to three.

The next points came off the shoe of Lauther, a 24 yard kick to increase Saskatchewan’s lead to six.

It didn’t take long for the Stamps to take the lead, though. A huge effort from Carey on the following drive would lead him into the endzone for a Red & White touchdown.

Paredes padded the lead with a 47 yard field goal with 5:38 remaining in the tilt.

The tables were turned just minutes later as Fajardo would finish off a lengthy nine play, 75-yard drive with a Riders touchdown to put Saskatchewan back on top.

Paredes, as always, came up clutch with just 59 seconds left in the game. A 47-yard field goal to tie it all up.

The game became an overtime affair and the Riders got the ball first. Lauther managed to get three points on the possession with a 20-yard boot. Paredes matched the Riders’ effort with a 25-yard kick of his own to keep the score even.

Paredes would make a 44-yard attempt, but it would go wide left.

Lauther would hit his attempt from 34 yards, enough for a Riders’ win.