The Montreal Alouettes hosted the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday afternoon in the Eastern Semi-Final from Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. In the regular season, Montreal swept the Ticats. This time, there was more at stake with the winner advancing to the Eastern Final.
The first half was lackluster. Both offenses would move the ball but neither could score touchdowns. In the first quarter, Montreal punter Joseph Zema punted the ball 51 yards into the endzone where Tyreik McAllister conceded the single point. It was 1-0 Montreal with 8:08 left. Later in the first quarter, Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio kicked a 23-yard field goal which put the Ticats up 3-1 with 2:37 left. The Ticats led 3-1 after the first quarter ended.
In the second quarter, Montreal kicker David Cote kicked two field goals. The first went for 40 yards to give the Alouettes a 4-3 lead with 13:48 left, and the second went for 15 yards that made 7-3 with 8:44 left. Later in the second quarter, Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio made his second field goal for 36 yards which made it 7-6 Montreal with 4:50 left.
The turning point of the game came with 57 seconds left when Hamilton quarterback Matthew Shiltz’s pass was intercepted by Darnell Sankey. On the next play, Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo connected with Austin Mack for a 30-yard touchdown for a 14-6 lead at halftime.
Montreal had 155 yards on offense. Quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 115 yards, one touchdown, and two carries for 33 yards. Running back William Stanback had seven carries for 19 yards, and wide receiver Austin Mack made three catches for 46 yards, and one touchdown. Montreal’s defense made two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Hamilton had 158 yards on offense. Quarterback Matthew Shiltz completed 10 of 16 passes (63%) for 99 yards, one interception, and two carries for 20 yards. Running back James Butler had six carries for 29 yards, and wide receiver Terry Godwin made two catches for 36 yards. Hamilton’s defense made two sacks.
In the third quarter, Montreal kicker David Cote converted a 40-yard field goal which made it 17-6 with 11:22 left. Later in the third quarter, Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio kicked a 39-yard field goal to cut the Alouettes lead down to 17-9 with 8:37 left.
Late in the third quarter, Hamilton defensive back Richard Leonard intercepted Cody Fajardo’s pass on their six-yard line. The Ticats reached the Alouettes’ 54-yard line to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio kicked a 47-yard field goal which made it 17-12 Montreal with 10:56 left. Later in the fourth quarter, Montreal pulled away. Quarterback Cody Fajardo completed a short pass to a wide-open Jake Harty for a 14-yard touchdown with a 24-12 lead and 6:33 left.
Montreal put the game away with 1:20 left on a 29-yard field goal by David Cote for a 27-12 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell’s pass was intercepted by Marc-Antoine Dequoy. When Montreal went to run the clock out, a Hamilton player punched Jake Harty which started a scuffle. Several players on both teams were ejected.
The Montreal Alouettes went into victory formation and defeated the Ticats by the final score of 27-12. Montreal advances to the Eastern Final against the Toronto Argonauts next Saturday at 2 pm on CFL+ where the winner will play in the 110th Grey Cup in Hamilton.
This was a disappointing playoff game. Hamilton had no business being in the playoffs. The CFL desperately needs to change the playoff format. No teams below .500 should get into the playoffs. It just makes the product look bad and treats it like a regular season game rather than a playoff game.
Montreal had 354 yards on offense. Quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 15 of 23 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and four carries for 62 yards. Running back William Stanback had 18 carries for 95 yards.
Montreal wide receiver Austin Mack had three catches for 46 yards and one touchdown. Montreal’s defense made 42 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Hamilton had 259 yards on offense. Quarterback Matthew Shiltz completed 13 of 23 passes (57%) for 144 yards, one interception, and four carries for 34 yards. Running back James Butler had 13 carries for 83 yards.
Hamilton wide receiver Omar Bayless led the team with two catches for 37 yards. Hamilton’s defense made 39 tackles, three sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
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