By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
If you haven’t had a chance to glance over the Tiger-Cats 2008 schedule, click here to see where and when the Black and Gold will face off against their CFL opponents. Let’s take a quick look at some of the more meaningful games of the upcoming season.
Opponents: Montreal (4), Toronto/Winnipeg (3), B.C./Calgary/Saskatchewan/Edmonton (2)
PRE-SEASON
Thursday, June 12, 7:00 p.m.
WPG vs HAM
The Ticats will begin their year by welcoming the Blue Bombers into Steeltown. Last year the Cats won both pre-season contests against Doug Berry’s crew, so based on that logic, maybe they should consider losing both games this year (One versus the Bombers and the second versus the Argos).
REGULAR SEASON
Thursday, June 26, 7:00 p.m.
MTL vs HAM
All eyes will be on Ivor Wynne Stadium, as the CFL’s regular season opens with the Als and Ticats. Montreal sports a new coach, with no Canadian Football experience, in Marc Trestman, and you can be certain that Ticats faithful will give him a warm welcome to the league. Other storylines to look at include the two Marcels, Bellefeuille and Desjardins. The first spent last season as the offensive coordinator of the Als and now holds the same position with the Tabbies, while the latter is back as an assistant general manager with Montreal after one year as the Ticats GM.
Saturday, July 12, 4:00 p.m.
SSK vs HAM
Everybody wants a piece of the champs, and Hamilton will be no exception. Last season the Riders were the only team to post 40 points against the Cats defence, so pride will be in question when the Green Machine meets the Black and Gold. Everyone remembers the sight of former Ticat receiver D.J. Flick doing the Oskie Wee Wee as a touchdown celebration, and keeping him out of the endzone will be a top priority.
Bye Week
August 18 – August 24
Plan your summer vacations for the week or weekend of the August 22. In fact, after their game August 14 in Winnipeg, the Ticats are off until September 1. It will allow them plenty of time to rest and prep for the rival Argos.
Monday, September 1, 7:30 p.m.
TOR vs HAM
It goes without saying, but the Labour Day Classic is one of the most anticipated games of the season. With a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, fans will have the opportunity to make an entire day of it, as Tony Miles old club makes the drive down the QEW. Hopes are high that this years LDC will have playoff implications, and both Ontario teams battling for Eastern supremacy.
Saturday, September 27, 10:00 p.m.
HAM vs B.C.
Casey Printers returns to B.C. for the first time since leaving for the NFL. Bob O’Billovich also makes his inaugural appearance in the Lions sden after accepting the job as the Tiger-Cats general manager. Both men have close ties to B.C.’s head coach Wally Buono, but rest assured both would love nothing more than to knock the Lions off in the final months of the season.
PLAYOFFS
96th Grey Cup
Sunday, November 23, 6:00 p.m.
Montreal welcomes the CFL’s elite this season for the championship game. It’ll be tough to top the job Toronto did as a host city, but if there is a place that could do it, it’s La Belle Ville de Montreal. Imagine the potential train trip that could take place if the Ticats win the East…
