Article content continued

Even more important that the points the defence put up was the fact that they kept the opposition out of the end zone for the first time this season.

“We practice on a lot of pass reads and drops and being able to read the quarterback and react,” said Lacey, who added to his team-leading tackles with a game-high nine Thursday. “Coach (Demetrius) Maxie, he teaches us on our reactions. J.C. jumped on it for a lot of yards and I was trying to yell his name to let him know the guy was coming for him.

“He said, ‘I couldn’t hear anything, Lacey, I was going straight for the end zone.’”

Despite the fumble, the field position gave the Eskimos defence some breathing room after giving up a bunch when things took a pro-wrestling turn earlier in the drive.

The officials announced over the loudspeaker that when Lacey took down Alouettes receiver B.J. Cunningham, it was ruled a suplex tackle.

For Eskimos fans, it could have ended up giving a whole new meaning to the WWE’s infamous Montreal Screwjob, involving Bret Hart’s championship belt.

“I’m used to American ball,” said Lacey, who was fined for suplexing receiver Chris Williams in a game last year. “That’s when I first found out about that. This one was different, I felt like I kind of took him to the side and not over my hips. I thought a suplex tackle was over your hips, not sideways.”

Needless to say, it fired up an already intense Eskimos defender.

“Yeah, it really did,” said Lacey, who was assessed a 15-yard roughness penalty that pushed Montreal into Edmonton territory as they looked to take a last-minute lead. “And I feel like he gave them more field position and put them in a position to score.”

Instead of caving, the defence rallied around Lacey.

“(Defensive end) Odell (Willis) said, ‘Deon, don’t worry about it. Show ’em you’re mad now and finish the game,’ ” Lacey said. “And that’s what I did. I had an opportunity and I did it.”

GModdejonge@postmedia.com

twitter.com/SunModdejonge