SURREY - On Saturday night in Regina, the B.C. Lions were 11 seconds away from advancing to the Grey Cup for the first time since 2011.

Instead of planning for the championship game, players and management grappled with mixed emotions Sunday as they cleaned out their lockers at the team's training facility following a 24-21 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West final.

“It was a tough one for sure,” said wide receiver Keon Hatcher Sr. “That one stings, to have it right there in the palm of your hands and just slip away like that. That definitely hurts.”

Saturday's defeat was the Lions' first loss since Sept. 5. The Roughriders will play the Montreal Alouettes for the CFL championship on Nov. 16 in Winnipeg.

It was a fresh start for the Lions this season. Ryan Rigmaiden was el

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