TIGER-CATS OFF TO EAST FINAL
HAMILTON – Brandon Banks and Don Jackson scored touchdowns as an opportunistic Hamilton Tiger-Cats squad defeated the Montreal Alouettes 23-12 in the East Division semifinal on a snowy Sunday afternoon.
Hamilton rode its defence to victory. The unit forced five turnovers (three fumbles, interception, downs) and recorded five sacks to the delight of a Tim Hortons Field gathering of 21,892.
With the win, Hamilton will face the Toronto Argonauts next Sunday in the East Division final at BMO Field. The Argos won the season series 3-1.
Hamilton dodged a huge bullet when Papi White lost a punt-return fumble with 5:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. But the Ticats were successful on their challenge of no-yards on the play to maintain possession.
That set up Michael Domagala’s 17-yard field goal at 11:54 of the fourth quarter that moved Hamilton ahead 23-10.
Montreal drove to the Hamilton 10-yard line but Harris’s third-down pass to Quan Bray was incomplete. That gave the Ticats the ball with 1:38 remaining but they surrendered a safety with 58 seconds remaining.
(The Canadian Press/Photo: CFL)
