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The first choice was automatic.

While choosing the top 10 CFL games between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the host Saskatchewan Roughriders, the only question was: What will the final nine be?

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The Roughriders celebrated the most-important home-field victory in franchise history nearly three years ago, defeating the Tiger-Cats 45-23 on Nov. 24, 2013 to win the 101st Grey Cup game. The landmark contest was played before 44,710 spectators — including Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Martin Short — at Mosaic Stadium.

Photo by Don Healy / Regina Leader-Post

It was the last, best opportunity for the Roughriders to capture a championship at their aging facility, which is to be replaced by the new Mosaic Stadium in 2017.

Saskatchewan had missed the playoffs in 1995, when the first Regina-based Grey Cup festival was held. The Roughriders posted an 11-7 record and finished third in the West in 2003, but lost 30-23 to the host Edmonton Eskimos in the division final — a game in which the Green and White trailed 30-2 at one point.