Home Field Advantage Takes On A New Meaning At Tim Hortons Field

Offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski says it is “scientifically proven” that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have the best fans in the Canadian Football League.
“We have the best fans” is a common phrase used by numerous athletes to the point that it has become as cliché a sports term as “giving 110%” or “playing a full 60 minutes,” but Dyakowski believes he has the logic to back up his claim.
“The energy that our fans put in this stadium for us is something we can feed off,” said Dyakowski, “You see guys get excited just because we’re here playing at home and it’s all because of our fans. It starts with them. They make this our home.”
The Ticats will officially kickoff their third year at Tim Hortons Field on Canada Day against the BC Lions. Since its inaugural season in 2014, Tim Hortons Field has been established as one of the toughest stopovers in the CFL schedule for opposing teams. It started back on July 26, 2014 when the Ticats defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 33-23 in the first–ever regular season game at the Ticats new home. The victory was the beginning of a 10-game home win streak that extended into the middle of the following season before the Montreal Allouettes snapped it on August 27, 2015.
The phrase “home field advantage” takes on a literal meaning in Hamilton.
“I think we have a bigger home field advantage than a lot of other teams,” said Dyakowski. “Our fans are smart. They know to make even more noise when the opponent’s offence is on the field. They can’t hear each other talk. You’re going to see a lot of teams this season have to go on silent count which disrupts a lot of the operations on offence and gives our defence an advantage.”
Dyakowski has donned the black and gold proudly since Hamilton drafted him in 2006. The nine-year CFL veteran has only ever played in Hamilton as a member of the Ticats, making his experience much different than teammate John Chick.
Chick played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for six seasons before signing with the Ticats as a free agent this year. He will make his regular season debut at Tim Hortons Field on Canada Day.
Chick knows first hand the challenges opponents face when they visit Hamilton.
“It’s a very tough place to come and play,” said Chick. “All road games are but fans here do it right and it is very hostile. They get into it. As much as a player you try to act like it didn’t affect you, I know it does affect a lot of guys. It’s definitely a huge factor.
“I just definitely always appreciated coming here to play because you always knew it was going to be a good fan turnout, a good fan show.”
The Ticats are looking to set the tone early in 2016 against the Lions and prove that no win will come easy to visiting teams. While loud fans and large crowds heighten the in-game experience, the outcome still comes down to performance according to head coach Kent Austin.
“Home field advantage is up to the players and how well we play,” said Austin. “Obviously we know our crowd is going to be behind us. It’s going to be a packed stadium. They’re going to be loud. Those things are consistent, but that doesn’t overcome poor play. If we play well for a tough environment for the other team, then you have an advantage.”
Chick wants to send a similar message to other opponents who come into Hamilton that he was on the receiving end of for six years. It all starts with the home opener on Canada Day.
“We want to go out and just put our best foot forward,” said Chick. “We know it’s early in the season but we have a mentality of it doesn’t matter who, it doesn’t matter when, that this is what we do and bring your lunch pail.”