VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – There’s plenty in store for the local sports fan this weekend.

CFL

The Edmonton Eskimos visit the BC Lions in Friday night CFL action at BC Place (7 p.m.). With a win, the Lions will be guaranteed a CFL Western Final at home on November 18th.

The biggest injury question mark for this game is the status of quarterback Travis Lulay, who is a game-time decision with a sore shoulder. If Lulay can’t go, back-up Mike Riley would get his first-ever CFL start.

Lulay, who has had limited practice this week, has thrown touchdown passes in 26 straight games, the second-longest streak in CFL history. A milestone could be reached for one of the Lions’ great young starts.  Running back Andrew Harris needs just 17 more yards rushing to reach 1,000 for the first time in his career.

The two teams have split their two previous meetings this season with the Eskimos beating BC 27-14 at BC Place on July 20th and the Lions edging the Eskimos 19-18 September 22nd at Commonwealth Stadium.

University Football

The UBC Thunderbirds football team visits the University of Manitoba Bisons in CIS Football action Saturday at 11 a.m.

UBC defensive back Bryan Rideout was named Canada West Football’s Defensive Player of the Week this week following the Thunderbirds 24-17 win over the Regina Rams this past Saturday that improved the Birds record to 2-4.

In NCAA football, The Simon Fraser University Clansmen (3-4) return home from a loss in Ellensburg, Washington to take on Western Oregon Saturday at 2 p.m. at Terry Fox Field.

MLS

Win, and they’re in! The Vancouver Whitecaps can become the first Canadian team to secure a Major League Soccer playoff spot if they can beat Cascadia rival Portland Sunday at BC Place (4 p.m.)

Vancouver has had its troubles with the Timbers since joining MLS, going 0-5-4 against Portland in nine meetings.  A Portland win would also keep the door open for the Timbers to win the Cascadia Cup derby.

The major injury concern for Vancouver is the status of striker Darren Mattocks.  the young Jamaican left Vancouver’s scoreless draw with Seattle on September 29th with a hamstring injury and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game.  Mattocks leads the Whitecaps with 7 goals.

AHL

The Canucks aren’t playing lately, but their Chicago Wolves farm team are in the area.

The unbeaten Wolves visit the Abbotsford Heat for American Hockey League games tonight and tomorrow at the Abbotsford Sports and Entertainment Centre. (7 p.m. both nights)

The Heat haven’t lost either after sweeping the Peoria Rivermen on home ice to win their first two home games for the first time in franchise history.

The Heat and Wolves split the eight game season series last season. Former Canuck greats Geoff Courtnall and Cliff Ronning will be honoured at the game as part of the Heat’s first Legends of Hockey nights.

WHL

It’s a Saturday Western Hockey League home game for the Vancouver Giants against the visiting Calgary Hitmen.

The Hitmen (7-2-1-1) lead the WHL’s Central Division while the Giants will be looking to get back on the winning track. Vancouver sits last in the BC Division with a record of 2-7-0-0. Game time at the Coliseum Saturday is 7 p.m.

BCHL

Friday night action in the BC Hockey League includes the Surrey Eagles home to Vernon  at 7 p.m and Prince George in Langley at 7:15 pm.