A successful season for the Regina Thunder ended with heartbreak as they were defeated by the Okanagan Sun 21-19 in the 2022 Canadian Bowl at Mosaic Stadium.
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Thunder grabbed a 14-0 lead after they Ryland Leichert and Carter Shewchuk were able to score rushing touchdowns.
With a 15-0 lead late in the first half, the Sun were able to score on the final play as Colby Miletto was able to secure a one handed grab as the time expired on the opening half.
Thunder RB Ryland Leichert celebrating a TD run
The Thunder were leading in the third quarter 17-7 when Jevon Garwood was able to rattle off a 53 yard touchdown run that cut the Thunder’s lead to three.
Okanagan were able to force Shewchuk to throw an interception inside of his own end on the following drive. The Sun capitalized on the turnover, as Suns QB Dominic Britton was able to find WR Mike O’Shea (son of Blue Bombers head coach, Mike O’Shea) in the endzone for the go ahead score as the Sun took a 21-17 lead with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The only points of the final quarter came with less than 40 seconds remaining when the Suns conceded a safety, setting one final opportunity for the Thunder offence. The Thunder were denied a final field goal opportunity.
With the victory, Okanagan claims their third national title, their first since 2001.
Suns RB Jevon Garwood receiving the offensive player of the game award in the 2022 Canadian Bowl
Offensive player of the game went to Garwood, O’Shea was named special teams player of the game, while Dawson Puck was named defensive player of the game.
