For the first time since 2014, the Alouettes will participate in the East Division final. Thanks to an inspired start to the game, the Montrealers eliminated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 28-17, Sunday afternoon at Percival-Molson Stadium.
Posted at 3:58 p.m.
Updated at 5:57 p.m.
Effective in the first half, the attack of the Birds slowed down significantly after the intermission, which allowed the visitors to hang on. After the entry of Matt Shiltz, who replaced an ineffective Dane Evans, the Tiger-Cats had even snatched the “momentum”, and the danger seemed to await the men of Danny Maciocia.
The defense of Noel Thorpe, however, finished the job in the fourth quarter to allow the Als to obtain their pass for the Eastern final, which they will play next Sunday at the Argonauts in Toronto (1 p.m.).
“It was very similar to a few games we played this year: a half that went well, another that went a little less well, and in the end, we find a way to get a win. That sums up the year we’ve been through, but also how much these guys have character and dog. I am so proud for them. It hasn’t been an easy year, on and off the pitch, but they never doubted,” commented Maciocia, who was visibly emotional.
“This moment, I wanted to live it two or three years after my return from Edmonton. But it took 19 years before I came back with the Alouettes. There were opportunities, but I never felt it was the right one. Nineteen years later, I wasn’t aiming to be the interim head coach either. It’s special and unique. This is something that I wanted to experience several years ago, ”confessed the Quebec CEO.
A large majority of the 20,693 spectators present at Percival-Molson Stadium remained in their seats to celebrate the victory after the game. Eugene Lewis addressed the crowd in particular, telling them that the course was not over.
“I’m happy, they tried everything against us and everyone doubted our chances. But we did what we had to do. All their defensive backs, they see the final score, and that’s all I have to say,” Lewis commented.
The Als star receiver led the team with 7 catches for 98 yards. Jake Wieneke also contributed well with 5 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Jake Wieneke and Kaion Julien-Grant
According to Lewis, the big difference between this game and the Alouettes’ recent failures in the playoffs was their great start. They scored in three of their first four series and led 22-6 after the first 30 minutes.
We talked about it, if we could score 21 points in the first half, we gave ourselves a good chance of winning. I give credit to all the players on our team.
Eugene Lewis
An advance to protect
The strategy could have gone wrong, but the Alouettes didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks in the second half. With a good lead, they were generally content to use their ground game and throw passes into the flank. Maciocia and Trevor Harris admitted they chose to play it safe.
“We decided to give the ball to our carriers and buy some time. […] The way our defense was playing, we knew we had enough points to go for the win,” said Maciocia.
Harris has been on par, passing 79.4 percent of his passes (27 for 34) for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was, however, the victim of sacks that ended three offensive series in the second half. They say, however, that awarding a sack is always better than throwing an interception…
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Trevor Harris
At this point in the game, I didn’t want to risk losing the ball or throwing an interception. I knew our defense was playing well and that it was important to push the Tiger-Cats deep into their territory.
Trevor Harris
“We have won eight of our last eleven games and that is saying something. We also just won a first playoff game in a very long time. But it would be wrong to say that we are fully satisfied with our performance today,” added Harris.
Jones and Fletcher
Maciocia has made a few acquisitions that haven’t been talked about much this year, but which have greatly benefited his team over the past few months. Including those of cornerback Mike Jones and running back Walter Fletcher.
Jones had both of his interceptions on Sunday, while Fletcher had 102 yards on 7 carries and 4 catches.
“Two catches were made near me early in the game and I felt like I could have made a play. Then I thought I had to get going and make some plays,” said Jones, a former Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
I think defenses win championships. When a defense is strong and all its players are on the same page, that’s what allows a team to win.
mike jones
Jones then made members of the media laugh when talking about his apartment in Montreal. “I told my teammates on the sidelines that I didn’t want to have paid my rent for this month for nothing! I want to stay here [à Montréal] for another three weeks,” he said.
“We faced a lot of adversity this season. But here we are one victory away from the final. We just have to make sure we stay focused on the goal. »
A quiet young man, Fletcher meanwhile admitted that it took some time for him to feel comfortable with his new team. Acquired from the Edmonton Elks at the start of the season, he became one of the Alouettes’ good players in the second half.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Walter Fletcher
“It always takes me a little while to feel comfortable and I think that’s what happened here. I put a little too much pressure on myself at the start. But the more the weeks passed, the better I felt. I have more confidence and I’m more comfortable with the offensive system. »
“I am blessed to experience this. It wasn’t always easy when I was playing in Edmonton, where I was mostly used on special teams. I wasn’t sure what to think when I found out I had just been traded, but I’m very fortunate to be part of this adventure. »
And this adventure will continue for at least another week. The Alouettes and the Argos will meet for the fourth time in 2022. Toronto won narrowly 20-19 and 24-23, then the Birds won the last game of the season, 38-33, while the two teams had chosen to rest several of their key players.