As they head into Monday’s annual Labour Day tilt, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are hoping that a win over their rivals from down the QEW, can instill some motivation for an important upcoming month of football.
After jumping out to a hot start to begin the new campaign, the Ticats endured somewhat of a rough patch during August, dropping several close outings that very well could have gone their way. Perhaps it was the bye week that halted their momentum; as we all know, football and rhythm is so important in football.
Nonetheless, the Ticats must find a way to regain their winning edge and it starts with the old football cliché: play a full 60 minutes, with the final 15 being the focus.
It’s not like the Ticats were getting blown out and the opponent was delivering the final knockout blows in the fourth frame either, each game was well within Hamilton’s reach to begin the last 15 minutes.
We start in Week 7. The Ticats held a three-point lead, 20-17, after 45 minutes. Then, the visiting Stampeders scored 14 unanswered points and shutout Hamilton in the fourth to earn a 31-20 victory.
In the team’s loss to Winnipeg in Week 8, the Tiger-Cats had what looked like an easy ‘W’ against a Bombers squad that was 1-5 at the time. However, the team found themselves tied at 17 through three quarters of play – which is dangerous territory against a pesky Blue and Gold squad that was desperate for win.
Tied at 25 with less than four minutes remaining in the fourth frame, Winnipeg took the ball from their own 18-yard line and marched 92 yards in eight plays to the endzone. The late major would hold up as the margin of victory, 32-25 Bombers. Winnipeg got it done in the fourth outscoring Hamilton 15-8.
In Week 9, the Ticats traveled East to Montreal. After three quarters at Percival Molson Stadium, Hamilton led by a single point, 19-18. Once again in solid position with a chance to grab a win.
Just over five minutes remained in the game when Als receiver SJ Green hauled in a questionable 40-yard catch, that enabled the Alouettes add three points thanks to a Sean Whyte field goal.
The Ticats came back and took the lead with 1:30 remaining in the game, but that ultimately proved to be too much time for Alouettes QB Anthony Calvillo to work with.
Calvillo used his arm, and 40-year-old legs on a key 17-yard run, to get the Alouettes within field goal range, allowing Whyte to give the Als the victory. For the third game in a row, Hamilton was outscored in the final quarter 13-10 by the Als and it cost them a third-straight loss.
The lack of fourth quarter finish displayed over the last three contests is a complete 180-degree difference when compared to how the Ticats faired in the final quarter during their three-game win streak to end July.
It’s crystal clear what Hamilton must do to get back in the win column: rise to the occasion when crunch time comes. Be it on offence, defence or special teams, one of those units needs to step up and make a big play to turn the game in their favour when the outcome is hanging in the balance late in the contest.
The next fourth quarter test is surely to come against the hated Argonauts. Fail to capitalize on a chance for a victory on Labour Day and the pressure cooker will continue to rise in Steeltown. On the other hand, if the ‘Cats get back to owning the fourth quarter like they did in July, then August will be nothing but a distant memory.
