In the sea of noise and shouting that was a jubilant Edmonton Eskimos’ dressing room John Chick was an island of peace, quietly sitting in a corner while slowly removing his uniform.

The 34-year-old defensive end looked tired but satisfied. His determined pass rushing had played a role in helping the Eskimos erase a 16-point deficit in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter to defeat the BC Lions 35-29 in overtime Friday night.

The win was good. Playing in a game that meant something this late in the CFL season was even better for Chick.

“It’s everything, it’s what you prepare for in the off-season,” said the eight-year veteran who won two Grey Cups while playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. “We’re in the playoffs. Right now anything is possible.”

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Just a few weeks ago things were very different for Chick and running back C. J. Gable. Both were playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a team now on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. The pair ended up in Edmonton in separate trades.

“It was a tough situation over there,” said Chick, who was acquired Aug. 20. “After making a decision you accept what is given to you. I’m running with it right now.

“When it (the trade) happened, it was hard. It was a difficult process. At the end of the day I look at it as a blessing.”

Quarterback Mike Reilly considers it a divine intervention that Chick is an Eskimo.

“I used to hate playing against John,” said Reilly. “John fractured my sternum in 2013 when he was playing for Saskatchewan on a clean hit. I know physically how hard it is playing against him.”

Chick bolstered an Eskimo defensive line that already featured Odell Willis, Almondo Sewell, Euclid Cummings and Kwaku Boateng. Together they combined for five sacks and held the Lions to 241 yards of total offence.

“Our D line is beastly,” said Reilly. “I feel bad for any quarterback that has to play against those guys.”

Gable missed Friday’s game with an injury but head coach Jason Maas said he “most likely” will play when the Eskimos (10-6-0) host the Calgary Stampeders (13-2-1) Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium. The Eskimos remain in the hunt to clinch second place in the West and host a playoff game.

Gable, a two-time CFL Eastern All Star, has run for three consecutive 100-yard games, his last two since being traded to Edmonton Oct. 2. He also has four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown as an Eskimo.

“C.J. brings a full package,” said Maas. “I will put him right up there with any other back in our league (in pass protection).

“He can run the ball hard. He catches the ball well out of the backfield. He’s a complete back. We’re very excited to have him.”

Overall this season the six-foot, 219-pound Gable has 111 carries for 681 yards and seven touchdowns. The 30-year-old also has 29 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s been huge for us,” said Reilly. “He brings a veteran presence, a confidence and understanding. There is no substitute for experience.”

Chick had two tackles against the Lions, including a sack in the end zone resulting in a safety. In seven games with the Eskimos he has 26 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble.

Brock Sunderland, Edmonton’s general manager and vice-president of football operations, said the Eskimos needed to fill holes after injuries to defensive end Marcus Howard and running backs Travon Van and John White.

“The biggest thing with both these players is they are great players and we had a need at the position,” said Sunderland.

“Both are all-star players. They are great in the locker room. They are great off the field. They are high-character guys and very talented football players.”

The Eskimos gave up two players off their negotiation list to get Gable. Chick came to Edmonton along with a fifth-round draft pick while the Eskimos sent a second-round pick to the Ticats.

“Our needs fit their needs at the right time,” Sunderland said about making two trades with Hamilton. “It’s like they say, timing is everything.

“What we needed from them fit with what we were going to give in return.”

The six-foot-four, 248-pound Chick spent six seasons in Saskatchewan. He was released by the Riders after the 2015 season and signed with Hamilton.

Reilly said Chick is a different player as a teammate than an opponent.

“He’s a super-quiet guy, which is funny because he used to talk a lot of smack at me on the field,” said Reilly. “In the locker room he is one of the quietest, nicest guys.

“He brings that veteran presence and understanding.”

Chick is thoughtful and soft-spoken when he talks. Known as a ferocious pass-rusher, he likes leaving his aggression on the field.

“I think I’ve always been against the grain, a different type of personality,” he said. “But I’m 100-per-cent relentless and a lead-by-example type of guy.

“That’s how I play the game. I just go all out every play. I have a different edge to me. It’s a physical thing. I try to bring how I am to football, to the locker room, to everything.”