Game Summary

In one of the most entertaining games of the season, the Montreal Alouettes secured home field advantage for the East Semi-final with a thrilling 45-41 overtime victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Tiger-Cats jumped out to early 14-0 lead on touchdowns by Ted Long and Mike Saunders. The Als cut into that lead with just seven seconds left in the first quarter when Mike Pringle carried it in from 1 yard out making the score after the opening stanza, 14-7 In favour of the Tabbies. A Paul Osbaldiston 10 yard field goal opened up the second quarter scoring and increased Hamilton’s lead to 10 points but Pringle countered with his second major of the game cutting the lead to just 3. Montreal grabbed their first lead of the contest at 12:30 of the second stanza when DB Harold Nash stepped in front of an Anthony Calvillo pass and returned it 34 yards for the major score. Baker added a FG with no time showing sending the Als into the locker room with a 24-17 half-time lead. Jock Climie added to that lead at 9:57 of the third quarter when he ran under a Tracy Ham pass for a 34 yard TD. However, the Tiger-Cats showed their resilience when Calvillo hooked up with Long for his second TD of the game trimming the Alouette lead to 11 after three periods of play. Long and Calvillo hooked up for the third time early in the fourth quarter to bring the Tabbies to within 4. Just six minutes later, Ham scrambled out of the pocket and found RB Michael Soles at close range for a 2 yard TD restoring Montreal’s 11-point lead. However, on the very next series, K Paul Osbaldiston trimmed the lead to 8 when he split the uprights from 27 yards out. Hamilton completed the comeback when Calvillo teamed up with SB Rob Crifo for a 70 yard TD. The ensuing 2-point convert attempt was good sending the teams to overtime. Montreal scored first in the opening frame of overtime as Nigel Williams scored a 23 yard TD. Hamilton posted a courageous drive but was stopped short and facing a 3-20 situation, Osbaldiston booted a 38 yard FG to bring them to within 4 but this would be as close as they would get as the Als went on to post a 45-41 victory.