The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be a team to watch going into the regular season after winning their third straight game by beating the Ottawa Redblacks 30-27 on Friday night at Tim Hortons Stadium.
With this win, the Tiger-Cats (7-10) could qualify for the playoffs if the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-10) lose Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders (10-6).
The Red and Black (4-13), meanwhile, is eliminated from the race.
Hamilton lost quarterback Dane Evans late in the game to a right hand injury. Although he didn’t throw a touchdown pass, he scored two majors on sneaks, including one in the fourth quarter. He also managed the two-point convert after that success to level the score 24-24.
The Tiger-Cats got the ball one last time with minutes to go and a 27-27 tie to break. Former Montreal Alouettes quarterback Matt Shiltz moved up the field, allowing kicker Seth Small to score on a 30-yard field goal.
On the side of the Rouge et Noir, Nick Arbuckle did not throw a touchdown pass either. His understudy, Caleb Evans, however, crossed the end zone twice with his legs during a 21-point surge in the second quarter.
The two teams will face off again for the final game of the regular season on October 20.