Chalk it up to a little bit of last-minute campaigning.
A victory would've been even better, but Saskatchewan Roughriders fullback and Regina city council hopeful Chris Szarka likely secured a few extra votes with three touchdowns yesterday afternoon in a thrilling 44-44 stalemate with the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.
"I don't think it'll hurt him any," smiled Riders coach Ken Miller.
Szarka will have to wait 10 more days to find out if that's enough to unseat the incumbent in the Oct. 28 municipal elections. Meanwhile, the Stamps and Riders didn't settle anything with yesterday's sister-kisser, which leaves both clubs tied atop the West Division standings.
They'll meet again in their regular-season finale Nov. 7 at Taylor Field.
"We're proud of ourselves for the way we played -- we played hard all the way through the game -- but you always want to come out with the win," Szarka said.
"That's what you strive for, that's what our team wanted to do. The tie really doesn't solve anything right now. It just gives us each a point and we move on to the next week, so we're a little disappointed with that."
The Stamps were certainly disappointed to even let them get that close.
The hosts came within 41 seconds of posting a wire-to-wire win over Gang Green, but fleet-footed quarterback Darian Durant and the rest of the Riders simply wouldn't go away.
With the Red & White clinging to a 30-22 lead, Durant marched his offence into enemy territory and spotted slotback Andy Fantuz for a 25-yard touchdown strike that trimmed the lead to a pair. On the two-point conversion attempt, Durant hooked up with Rob Bagg to tie it up.
Szarka and receiver Chris Getzlaf both scored in overtime.
"If you look at the overall picture, we didn't lose and we're still in first place, so there are some positives to take out of this game," Durant said. "Of course, the negative is we didn't win, but we'll take it. To come into their place and play like we did and come out of here without a loss is big.
"Like I said, the positive is we didn't lose, but we definitely wanted this win to create a little separation."
Szarka's performance could create a little separation in next week's vote.
He's doubled up on his headlines this season by running in the municipal election. In front of 38,623 spectators yesterday at McMahon Stadium -- many of whom are likely eligible to cast ballots in Saskatchewan -- the 34-year-old proved he can still run with a football in his hands, too.
The bruising fullback finished with six carries for 16 yards and three majors, plus converted a couple of key third-and-short opportunities in the fourth quarter.
"We always knew we had that in Szarka," Durant said. "For years and years and years, he's been one of the best short-yardage backs in this league and he showed that out there today."
Question is, what could the other candidates in Ward 10 possibly do to top that?
It could be Coun. Szarka soon.
"As long as people get out and vote for me, that's all that matters," Szarka said with a smile.
WES.GILBERTSON@SUNMEDIA.CA
