Als to host Lions in key CFL matchup

The Montreal Alouettes will try to clinch a CFL playoff berth on Friday night when they host the B.C. Lions at Percival Molson Stadium. Montreal also can lock up a home playoff game with a win, while a Toronto Argonauts loss on Labour Day Monday would secure a seventh straight postseason appearance. The Alouettes enter at 92 after their sevengame winning streak ended with a loss in Winnipeg last week. Head coach Jason Maas said the team is focused on improving each week, while quarterback Davis Alexander said Montreal needs to stay composed and finish all four quarters. Alexander is expected to start despite a right calf injury scare, and tests showed no structural damage. He leads the CFL in passing yards and shares the league lead in touchdown passes. Montreal will face a B.C. defence that ranks first in net yards allowed and against the run. The Lions arrive on a fivegame winning streak after a slow start to the season. B.C. linebacker Darnell Sankey will also return to Montreal for the first time since leaving the Alouettes in the offseason. The Lions have beaten Montreal six straight times, but the Alouettes are unbeaten at home this year.