DaShaun Amos and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are set to enjoy the advantage of playing at home in the East Division final on Saturday. The team has confirmed that Hamilton Stadium is completely sold out, urging fans to wear black as they cheer on the Ticats against the Montreal Alouettes. Amos acknowledges the importance of performing well to keep the fans engaged and supportive throughout the game.
“It’s great to have the fans behind us, but ultimately, we need to play our best to fully benefit from their support,” Amos expressed to reporters. “While the fans can provide an edge, we need to deliver on the field. We aim to give our best performance and maintain the fans’ support.”
Finishing at the top of the East with an 11-7 record, Hamilton secured home-field advantage for the conference final for the first time since 2019. The Ticats, who last won the Grey Cup in 1999, are eager to end their prolonged championship drought.
On the other hand, Montreal (10-8) is appearing in the division final for the fourth consecutive year, seeking their second Grey Cup appearance in three seasons after winning the CFL title in 2023.
Amos, a three-time Grey Cup winner with prior victories with the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts, noted the exceptional atmosphere in Hamilton this season, describing it as incomparable to anything he has experienced before.
The Ticats swept the season series against Montreal, but the Alouettes are early 2.5-point favorites for Saturday’s matchup, largely due to the impressive performance of quarterback Davis Alexander. Alexander, who boasts a perfect 11-0 regular-season record, led Montreal to victory over Winnipeg in the playoffs last week.
Hamilton’s linebacker Reggie Stubblefield emphasized the team’s focus on the upcoming game, disregarding external factors such as betting lines. Stubblefield, who played a role in Montreal’s ’23 Grey Cup victory, expressed his dedication to the team and the late GM Ted Goveia, highlighting his commitment to winning for Hamilton.
Wide receiver Tim White, who achieved his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season with the Ticats, acknowledged the pressure but viewed it as a privilege. He emphasized the team’s readiness to seize the significant opportunity ahead and capitalize on the moment.