Gurjot Gill | Toronto
2 tickets to the Grey Cup await four teams as the semi-finals were played this past week.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats were the first team to punch their ticket to the CFL semi-final as they defeated the Montreal Alouettes 23-12 Sunday afternoon. The Saskatchewan Roughriders were the final team to advance as they beat the Calgary Stampeders 33-30 in a double-overtime thriller later Sunday in Regina.
Brett Lauther, the Roughriders kicker, hit the game-winning field goal from 34 yards out. As the ball went through the uprights, there was a penalty flag on the field. If that flag had gone against the Roughriders, Lauther would have to take that kick again and from a farther distance.
The flag was against the Stampeders which sealed the game shut as the Roughriders were celebrating their win.
“I did a double-take to make sure it actually did go in and then after that, I saw the flag, I was just like, there’s no way it’s on us,” said Lauther.
Roughriders quarterback, Cody Fajardo struggled as he threw for 189 yards with 4 interceptions. But the ground game was successful as Fajardo and running back Will Powell rushed for over 70 yards each.
Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders quarterback, had a big day as he threw for 285 yards but Ka’deem Carey carried a major load as he ran for 117 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Turnovers were a major problem in the first half as both teams combined for six of them.
Stampeders kicker Rene Paredes had his fair share of chances in the game as he hit the game-tying field goal with just under a minute left in regulation. But in the second overtime, he missed a 44 yard field goal to win the game.
Roughriders with the ball back gave it to Powell for a few strong runs to set up the field goal by Lauther.
They are set to play the #1 seeded Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West Finals on Sunday afternoon.
For the East Semi, the defence was the story as the Ticats forced 5 turnovers and sacked Montreal QB, Trevor Harris 6 times in the 23-12 victory.
Ticat Defenders, Ja’Gared Davis, Dylan Wynn, and Julian Howsare combined for the six sacks on top of 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.
Hamilton was able to shut down the Alouettes rushing game, as they held star running back, Wiliam Stanback, for 29 yards on 12 carries. Davis notes that the game would be settled by the performance of the defensive line.
“So we just took it upon ourselves to come out and just impose our will the best we can,” Davis said.
Ticats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli played a conservative game, throwing for 184 yards and no interceptions as he connected with receiver Brandon Banks for his lone touchdown.
Alouettes QB Harris had a huge day throwing for over 350 yards as he connected with Eugene Lewis, for 127 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Montreal held the ball for over 33 minutes and was able to drive up and down the field but the inability to finish in the red zone cost the Alouettes the game.
The Ticats now have a date with their arch-rival, the Toronto Argonauts as they clash to decide who moves on to the Grey Cup.
Both Conference Final games are set to be played on Sunday, December 5th, with the Grey Cup Final on December 12th in Hamilton. The Ti-cats look to punch their ticket into the Grey Cup and gain home-field advantage.
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