As has often happened this season, the Montreal Alouettes’ defense made some big plays to help its offense in the East final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
A sack from Tyrice Beverette that caused quarterback Matt Shiltz to lose the ball with just over two minutes to play allowed the hosts to get their offense back on the field for a final push. A few games later, David Côté cemented the Alouettes’ 28-17 victory with his second field goal of the game, to the delight of the 20,693 spectators gathered at Percival-Molson Stadium.
On the Tiger-Cats’ previous push, Mike Jones had his second interception of the game as Shiltz went to join Tim White deep in Montreal territory, thus protecting the Birds’ lead which was then eight points.
The formation of Danny Maciocia thus reaches the final of the East for the first time in eight years. She will face the Toronto Argonauts next week at BMO Field.
The Alouettes took advantage of three touchdowns in the first two quarters – those of Jake Wieneke, Dominique Davis and Walter Fletcher – and a single from Côté to return to the locker room up 22-6.
Shiltz replaced Dane Evans on the Tiger-Cats’ second set offensive end in the third quarter, instantly giving the visitors more teeth on offense. He also concluded his first offensive push with a touchdown pass to Steven Dunbar Jr. The two-point conversion then closed the Ti-Cats at 22-14.
Seth Small scored the visitors’ other points with field goals from 47 and 23 yards. Côté kicked 33 and 11 yards for the home team.
Cannon start
The Alouettes won early in the game. After a solid 49-yard return from Chandler Worthy on Blake Hayes’ kickoff, Trevor Harris orchestrated an explosive offensive push, placing the ball in the opposing end zone on five plays, including four assists. It was Wieneke who capped off the push on a 13-yard pass.
Two possessions later, it was 81 yards on 8 plays that the Alouettes gained to register their second touchdown of the half, on Davis’s sneak. Fletcher will add a third touchdown on a spectacular 33-yard run to allow the Alouettes to return to the locker room with a 22-6 priority.
The Alouettes’ offense dominated 278-118 in total yards during the first half of the game. In the end, she had 365 yards against 245.