DaShaun Amos and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are set to enjoy the advantage of playing at home during the East Division final this Saturday. The team has confirmed that Hamilton Stadium is completely sold out, with fans encouraged to wear black in support when the Ticats take on the Montreal Alouettes. Amos acknowledges the importance of performing well to maintain fan support and keep the home-field advantage intact.
“It’s great when the fans are loud, but we need to be at our best to fully leverage their energy,” Amos stated in a media briefing. “While their support gives us an edge, it’s crucial to deliver on the field, especially since we are playing in Hamilton. We aim to play our best game and keep the fans on our side throughout.”
Having finished at the top of the East with an 11-7 record, Hamilton secured home field for the conference final for the first time since 2019. The Ticats last claimed the Grey Cup in 1999, marking the CFL’s lengthiest championship drought.
On the other hand, Montreal (10-8) is making their fourth consecutive appearance in the division final, seeking their second Grey Cup berth in three seasons. The Alouettes were the CFL champions in 2023.
Amos, a three-time Grey Cup winner with the Calgary Stampeders (2018-19, ’21) and Toronto Argonauts (2022-24), shared his excitement about the unique atmosphere he has encountered in his first season with Hamilton. He highlighted the intense energy of the regular season and anticipates an even more electrifying experience on Saturday.
Hamilton dominated the regular-season series against Montreal, but the Alouettes are early 2.5-point favorites for the upcoming game. Quarterback Davis Alexander, who boasts a perfect 11-0 record in regular-season starts, is a significant factor in Montreal’s favor. Despite missing both prior games against Hamilton due to injury, Alexander showcased his talent with a strong performance last week in the playoffs.
Reggie Stubblefield, a linebacker for the Ticats, emphasized the team’s focus on the present game and not external factors like betting lines. Stubblefield, who was part of Montreal’s ’23 Grey Cup victory, expressed his dedication to the team and their mission for the current season.
Emphasizing the significance of the upcoming game, Stubblefield stated, “I take immense pride in representing Ted and this organization. Winning for Hamilton is my primary goal right now.”
Tim White, a receiver for Hamilton, acknowledged the pressure of the situation but viewed it as a privilege. White highlighted the team’s readiness to seize the opportunity presented in front of them and emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the moment.
