Two rabbits hop onto the field and stop a Calgary Stampeders game as the crowd cheers them on

Saturday night's game in Calgary had a playoff race riding on it. For a few minutes the biggest stars at McMahon Stadium had long ears and no helmets.

Additional friends on the field

Early in the fourth quarter of the Stampeders' home game against the BC Lions play came to a stop when a rabbit darted across the turf. "It looks like we've got some additional friends on the field," one broadcaster said. "Not sure which team he's on."

The crowd roared when the rabbit crossed into the end zone. Then a second rabbit joined the party and the cheers doubled.

Nobody grabbed a net

For a stretch nobody seemed sure whose job it was to clear the field. Players and staff mostly stood around watching while the cameras found a trio of fans who could not have been more fired up about the visitors.

The officials finally took charge and shooed the rabbits toward the sideline. Fans booed them for it. The pair appeared to be steered in the direction of the Stampeders' live horse mascot, which may have made for an interesting new friendship.

Regulars at McMahon

Calgary fans know this routine. Jackrabbits are frequent guests at Stampeders home games and have scampered across the field in past seasons too.

Maybe they brought luck. Calgary pulled away late for a 32-13 win in front of 21,968 fans to keep its playoff hopes alive. Longtime kicker Rene Paredes made four field goals in his final regular-season game. Now the Stampeders head into a bye and wait to see whether Winnipeg loses to BC on Oct. 23.