The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-8) closed out Week 17 on Saturday night hosting the Calgary Stampeders (4-11) from Tim Hortons Field. The Ticats were on the verge of clinching a playoff spot but needed to beat Calgary to do that.
In the first quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 47-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 6:47 left. Hamilton struggled early in the game which led to quarterback Taylor Powell getting benched for Matthew Shiltz late in the first quarter.
On the final play of the first quarter, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier completed a short pass to Cole Hunchak for nine yards. Calgary led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes made his second field goal of the night for 30 yards that extended the Stampeders lead to 6-0 with 11:24 left. Then, the Ticats struck on their first possession of the second quarter.
Quarterback Matthew Shiltz threw a deep pass to Tim White, who avoided two Calgary secondaries to score a 70-yard touchdown. However, kicker Marc Liegghio missed the extra point and the game was tied 6-6 with 10:45 left of the second quarter.
Later in the second quarter, Calgary’s defense made a good play when Cameron Judge intercepted Matthew Shiltz’s pass for a two-yard run before he was taken down on the Ticats’ 49-yard line. Unfortunately, Calgary could not take advantage of the turnover.
With 2:45 left of the second quarter, Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio made a 41-yard field goal for a 9-6 lead. Late in the second quarter, Hamilton quarterback Matthew Shiltz threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Terry Godwin which made it 16-6 with 1:03 left of the second quarter. On the final play, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes missed a 47-yard field goal and the Ticats led 16-6 at halftime.
Hamilton had 263 yards on offense. Quarterback Matthew Shiltz completed 6 of 10 passes (60%) for 195 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and one carry for 14 yards. Running back James Butler had five carries for 28 yards, and one catch for 11 yards, and wide receiver Tim White had one catch for 70 yards and one touchdown. Hamilton’s defense made one sack.
Calgary had 140 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 13 of 22 passes (59%) for 112 yards, running back Ka’Deem Carey had five carries for 21 yards, and wide receiver Marken Michel made three catches for 33 yards.
In the third quarter, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier completed a 17-yard pass to Tre Odoms-Dukes before he was tackled on the Ticats’ 49-yard line. The drive would lead to a Rene Paredes 46-yard field goal which made it 16-9 with 11:13 left.
Late in the third quarter, Hamilton’s defense recovered a Dedrick Mills fumble but the offense was unable to take advantage. The Ticats led 16-9 with one quarter left to play.
In the fourth quarter, the two teams traded field goals. Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio made a 31-yard field goal for a 19-9 lead with 9:12 left. Next, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 44-yard field goal that made it 19-12 with 5:51 left.
With 1:21 left in the game, Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio made a 21-yard field goal for a 22-12 lead. Then, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes’s 44-yard field goal made it 22-15 with 29 seconds left of the game. Calgary tried an onside kick but Hamilton recovered and went into victory formation. The Ticats defeated the Stampeders by the final score of 22-15.
A quarterback change by Hamilton gave them a spark that was needed and resulted in them clinching the final playoff spot in the East Division. Hamilton had 359 yards on offense. Quarterback Matthew Shiltz completed 11 of 19 passes (57.9%) for 225 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and three carries for 30 yards.
Hamilton running back James Butler had 14 carries for 92 yards and three catches for 10 yards. Wide receiver Tim White led the receivers with 3 catches for 96 yards and one touchdown. Hamilton’s defense made 44 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
While Calgary’s playoff hopes are still alive, I think it is safe to say their season is done. I hate to keep beating a dead horse, but the Stampeders must make changes starting with the front office and head coach. They cannot keep relying on Rene Paredes to save them and not score touchdowns.
With the trade deadline looming, Calgary should start trading players to contending teams for draft picks and cap spaces. They can use the extra money to bring in new players to try out for the rest of the season.
Calgary had 314 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 26 of 44 passes (59%) for 239 yards. Running back Dedrick Mills had six carries for 47 yards, and wide receiver Tre Odoms-Dukes made seven catches for 83 yards. Calgary’s defense made 31 tackles, two sacks, and one interception.
Next Saturday, Hamilton visits the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 7 pm on CFL+, while the Stampeders are off next weekend. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
