THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON, Ont. — Casey Printers hit Ian Smart on an eight-yard TD pass to earn the B.C. Lions a dramatic 34-27 overtime win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL’s East semifinal Sunday afternoon.
Printers found Smart on the TD strike on B.C.’s second play in the extra session. Hamilton failed to score on its possession, thus securing the Lions the victory.
Hamilton forced overtime in dramatic fashion with Kevin Glenn hitting Dave Stala on a nine-yard TD strike. Then he found a wide-open Marquay McDaniel on the two-point convert to make it 27-27 at 14:38, thrilling the Ivor Wynne Stadium gathering of 27,430, just over 2,00 short of a sellout.
Printers threw for 360 yards and also rushed for a touchdown in his return to Ivor Wynne Stadium. Printers, who spent two woeful seasons in Hamilton before being released after last season, helped B.C. snap a three-game losing streak. He also played the role of spoiler in the Ticats’ first home playoff game since 2001 and first post-season appearance in five years.
Hamilton came into the game as one of the CFL’s hottest teams having won three straight whereas B.C. finished the regular season losing three straight and got the crossover playoff berth only after the Ticats beat Winnipeg 39-17 to clinch second in the East and eliminate the Bombers from post-season contention.
Printers was masterful in leading B.C. on two long scoring marches from inside their 10-yard line that not only resulted in 10 points for the Lions, but prevented Hamilton from getting the ball in good field position and kept the Ticats’ defence on the turf for long stretches. He was also very effective throwing the ball away whenever pressured despite being sacked four times.
Hamilton chose not to exploit B.C.’s biggest weakness. The Lions came into the game having the CFL’s worst run defence, averaging 138 yards per game. However, the Ticats ran the ball seven times for 35 yards. Running back DeAndra’ Cobb, who ran for 267 yards in the two regular-season games the teams played (Hamilton won both) had just six carries for 33 yards in regulation.
Still, Hamilton tied the score 16-16 on Kevin Glenn’s 28-yard TD pass to Stala, who made a brilliant diving catch at 9:05 of the third. It came after the Ticats had to settle for a field goal at 4:24 after a Chris Thompson fumble recovery and return to the Lions’ 20-yard line.
But B.C. countered with Rolly Lambala’s one-yard TD run at 12:14, set up by a 34-yard pass interference call on Hamilton’s Jykine Bradley. Then Printers took the Lions on an 11-play, 71-yard drive that culminated in a 33-yard Paul McCallum field goal that put the visitors ahead 26-16 at 3:05 of the fourth
B.C. will face the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division semifinal Nov. 22 at Olympic Stadium. The winner will represent the conference in the Grey Cup at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Nov. 29
McCallum finished with four field goals, two converts and a single.
Setta booted four field goals and a convert.
NOTES — Quarterbacks Buck Pierce and Zac Champion were among B.C.’s scratches while receiver Prechae Rodriguez didn’t suit up for Hamilton . . . The playoff intensity was evident in the pre-game ceremony as Lion linebacker JuJuan Armour and Hamilton’s Otis Floyd — a former B.C. player — got into a brief scuffle while Lions receiver Paris Jackson and Ticats defensive back Bo Smith — also a former Lion — could be seen screaming at each other . . . Lions safety Barron Miles finished the regular season with a CFL-high eight interceptions, registering six over his final six contests . . . B.C. ended the regular season with three straight losses, just the fourth time in club history and the second time in 30 years.
