It was an exciting game, but the defending Gray Cup champions, the Alouettes, were defeated by the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern final on Saturday at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium in downtown Montreal.

The final score is 30-28 for the Argonauts, which means they will head to the 111th Gray Cup which will take place on November 17 in Vancouver.

Alouettes fans are still proud of their team despite the defeat.

“It’s been my team for maybe, let’s say, 35 years,” said Alouettes fan Pascal Laviolette. “Always my team.”

“We expected the victory, that’s for sure,” said a Montrealer after the match. “We hope for the best, but it’s difficult to come away with a defeat.”

“Amazing debut,” said another fan. “It’s disappointing in a way, because I followed them religiously, as I have for 30 years.”

“I love my Alouettes and this is the year we could have proven to the rest of the league that we are not a joke.

The Argonauts take their revenge.

The Alouettes, who were considered underdogs last season, beat Toronto last year in the East Division final.

Supporters of both teams approached Saturday’s match with a lot of energy.

“It’s over for the Alouettes,” said Argonauts fan Frank Tank.

“We are very confident,” added Rick Bowes. “But last year we were really hit.”

“This year it’s the opposite,” said Dave Macdonald.

The Alouettes won the eighth Gray Cup last season and their first since 2010.

It’s called “The Great Eight” – this season’s mantra was “Grind for Nine.”

As for the Argonauts, they will now face the winner of Saturday’s West final: will it be the Winnipeg Blue Bombers or the Saskatchewan Roughriders?

“They gave us a good game,” added another Alouettes fan. “Never lose hope.”