Game Summary

It was a battle of the top two teams in the Eastern Division as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats traveled to Molson Stadium play the Montreal Alouettes. Hamilton jumped out to an early lead 5:25 into the game when K Paul Osbaldiston nailed a 36-yard FG. Osbaldiston increased Hamilton’s lead to 4-0 when scoring a single on the ensuing kickoff. Osbaldiston continued to wield a hot foot connecting on a 31-yard FG at 14:35 of the quarter. He followed that up with 12-yard effort at 3:33 of the second stanza giving the Tabbies a 10-0 lead. Montreal got on the board at 7:49 of the second quarter when WR Mac Cody hauled in a 11-yard pass from QB Tracy Ham for the major. K Terry Baker’s convert cut the score to 10-7. Osbaldiston rounded out the first half scoring with a 51-yard FG giving the Tiger-Cats a 13-7 halftime lead. Montreal started strong in the second half driving down the field in their first possession which culminated with a 21-yard TD pass from Ham to FB Michael Soles 3:36 into play. Baker’s convert was good putting the Als in front by a 14-10 score. Hamilton regained the lead late in the third quarter when SB Mike Morreale caught an 11-yard pass from Danny McManus at 12:25. Osbaldiston’s convert gave Hamilton a 17-14 lead. Osbaldiston added to that lead at 3:58 of the final quarter when he nailed a 39-yard FG. Montreal attempted a late comeback as SB Eddie Brown found the end zone for 29-yard reception with 5:55 left to play. Baker’s convert made the score 23-21 in favour of the visitors but that was all the scoring Montreal could muster after Baker’s 27-yard FG attempt to win the game with minutes remaining was blocked. Hamilton’s win propelled them to a first place tie with Montreal in the East Division.