WINNIPEG -- Way to go, Edmonton, way to take some of the fun out of the Grey Cup.

After a complaint from the Eskimos, Algonquin College's Loggersports team, which saws off a wood cookie after each RedBlacks touchdown at home games, won't be allowed on the sidelines for Sunday's Grey Cup. The CFL had OK'd the Loggersports, but changed its mind on Saturday, with the five "loggers" already en route to Winnipeg.

"That Loggersports team is part of our brand, it's part of our identity, it's part of the tradition we're trying to create," said Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group president of sports Jeff Hunt. "To not have it in the Grey Cup, this is something where I think we've lost and I don't know who won. They felt it was an unfair competitive edge. I'm actually surprised, what's all the fuss about?"

It's petty, it's silly, and it's bullying by an organization strongarming the CFL, which said in a statement: "The league supports and encourages the presence and participation of the Algonquin Loggersports Team on the field at the Grey Cup game. However, in response to concerns raised, and as the game is intended to be at played at a neutral site, the touchdown celebration that normally occurs at RedBlacks home games will not be allowed between kickoff and the final gun."

"I don't know fully all the precedents," said Hunt. "But Calgary, I've seen their horse at Grey Cups ... which is great. I know the Grey Cup is a very serious athletic competition and everybody wants to win. I get all that. I also know the Grey Cup is fun and sporting events are fun. Part of the fun, part of the routine of a RedBlacks game is we do that log cutting after a touchdown. It's neat to have a forum to share that with the country. It's all about fun.

"In my opinion, this has nothing to do with competitive issue. Nobody's going to win or lose a game based on guys out there with chainsaws or a mascot or what have you. For that reason, I'm disappointed that Edmonton would take this position. What can I do about it? Nothing.

"The CFL had given us the thumbs up. Edmonton protested very aggressively that they didn't want that aspect on the field. I think the league was forced to come to me and ask that we back off."

Algonquin College's vice president of communications Scott Anderson said the decision was surprising.

"(The Loggersports team at RedBlacks games) is a fabulous thing for Algonquin," said Anderson. "Every time the RedBlacks get a touchdown, Algonquin is on the field."

Hunt talked to Eskimos president Len Rhodes and met with CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge on Saturday.

Said Hunt: "I told Len, 'I'm not trying to talk you out of it.' I wanted to try and understand his perspective and he shared it. I like Len a lot. I have a lot of respect for Len and the Edmonton Eskimos organization. I don't agree with them on this point. We agree to disagree. Maybe having a little dispute like this leading into the game, maybe this is going to be the beginning of a little more of a rivalry with the Edmonton Eskimos.

"Nobody wants this to be a distraction around the Grey Cup. I'm hoping when we do a post-mortem in a couple of weeks, after the Grey Cup festitivies are over, maybe we can talk as league about what teams can do at the Grey Cup -- things that bring an element and the personality of the respective teams to the Grey Cup. That's what it's all about."

The Loggersports team will get to watch the game, but from the stands.

"I'm disappointed for the kids on the Loggersports team who were I'm sure pretty excited to get the call to go to the Grey Cup," said Hunt.

Twitter: @TimCBaines