CFL 2023 Playoffs Eastern Semi-Final: Alouettes Eliminate Ti-Cats, 27-12

 

Grey Cup/Coupe Grey

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-10) at Montréal Alouettes (11-7)

The Alouettes took full advantage of having earned home field advantage in their playoff game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats earlier today. 

On a beautiful, crisp, sunny autumn day at the McGill campus in Montréal, the Alouettes and Tiger-Cats squared off for the right to reach the Eastern Final next weekend.

It was largely an exchange of field goals for much of the first half, until Hamilton turned the ball over late in the second quarter, deep in their own territory. Montréal took advantage, as quarterback Cody Fajardo connected with Austin Mack for the game's first touchdown. It gave the Alouettes a decent 14-6 lead at halftime.

The Alouettes had the ball first in the second half, and managed to tack on a field goal in that drive to add some cushion, but Hamilton answered with a field goal of their own shortly after that.

Montréal had the ball deep in Hamilton territory shortly after that, but then gave up the ball on a turnover, which Hamilton managed to convert into another field goal early in the fourth quarter. At that point, the Ti-Cats pulled to within 17-12. It appeared that they might still have a chance to play in the Grey Cup at home in Hamilton by that point. 

However, the Alouettes were able to get a good drive going, then largely put the game out of reach with a touchdown strike from Fajardo to Jake Harty with just under seven minutes left. It was Harty's first touchdown this season, and expanded the hometown's lead to 24-12. 

The Alouettes managed to tack another field goal for the final score of 27-12. Montréal scored the game's only two touchdowns, as the Alouette defense managed to prevent the Ti-Cats from scoring any touchdowns.

Now, the Alouettes will prepare to head on the road for their next playoff game, in Toronto against the defending Gray Cup Champion Argonauts  next Saturday. The winner will be the first team to qualify for this year's Grey Cup, which will be played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario two weeks from tomorrow.

CFL 2023 Playoffs Recap: Hamilton @ Montreal - Eastern Semi-Final