The B.C. Lions won the 94th Grey Cup, defeating the Montreal Alouettes 25-14. The victory is due in large part to the perfect night of veteran kicker Paul McCallum.

He went six for six in Sunday's game. He added a convert and picked up the title of the game's top Canadian player.

"I'm not one for stats or personal records,'' said the native of Vancouver, who tied a Grey Cup record for most field goals. "I'm just glad I got the ring.''

The historic trophy had its cup separated from its base when Lions guard Kelly Bates gave it a vigorous shake.

Prior to McCallum's last two field goals, the Alouettes had pulled back within seven points, having scored nine unanswered points in the third quarter. However, they couldn't consistently get their offence on track.

Rookie B.C. Lions running back Ian Smart picked the biggest game of the year to score his first CFL touchdown, giving his team a 16-0 lead over the Alouettes.

The two teams played under clear skies, and temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, with the windchill making it feel like -7 degrees Celsius.

Sunday's game drew a sellout crowd of almost 45,000 in Winnipeg at Canad Inns stadium. A weekend of hard partying in the city and a parade that drew thousands to the downtown streets were some of the pre-game highlights.

Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila sang the national anthem in both official languages while Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado was the featured performer in the half-time show. She performed three songs, including her hit Maneater.

A pair of CF-18s and the Canadian Forces' Snowbirds aerobatic team did flyovers, and there was a moment of silence to honour Canadian troops who have been killed or injured in Afghanistan. The troops were watching the game at their base in Kandahar, where kickoff occurred in the middle of the night.

A good time was apparently had by all.

"We got in Friday night and have partied non-stop so we're a little bit hung(over) today,'' Judith Morvai, wearing Calgary Stampeders gear, told The Canadian Press.

She and her husband Barry have laready made plans to attend the 95th Grey Cup in Toronto next year.

"We've had so much fun meeting people from all over Canada. We met a father and daughter last year and bumped into them again this year, and there are a lot of other people who you don't remember their names, but you know you know them.''

Lions the favourites

The Lions went into Sunday's match-up as seven-point favourites over the Alouettes.

The perceived advantage was rooted in the fact B.C. hammered Montreal during two games this year, outscoring them by 84-33. Those giving odds on the game marked the 13-5 Lions as seven-point favourites over the 10-8 Alouettes.

The Lions' roster is loaded offensive, defensive and special teams talent.

The big names includes slotback Geroy Simon, the league's most outstanding player, plus veteran quarterback Dave Dickenson, named the cup's outstanding player.

The Lions last won the league championship in 2000, defeating Montreal 28-26 in Calgary. The Lions have captured the trophy in four of the eight Grey Cup games in which they have played.

Montreal won the Cup in 2002, defeating the Edmonton Eskimos 25-16 in Edmonton. A Montreal team has won the Grey Cup seven times, with the Alouettes winning five of those. In the 2005 Grey Cup, the Eskimos defeated the Alouettes 38-35 in a double-overtime classic.

With the sell-out, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers expect to make about $2.5 million from the event -- welcome income for a community-owned franchise that was $700,000 in debt at last count.

With files from The Canadian Press