The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-10) and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-3) are meeting at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg on Friday night. The Blue Bombers enter the game on a four game win streak including a couple convincing victories over struggling Eastern opponents. The Tiger-Cats are riding a hot streak of their own but are coming off a defeat at the hands of the East-leading Argos.
The Tiger-Cats are getting healthy just in time for a push to overtake the Redblacks and vie for a post-season berth. A few short weeks ago, one of the biggest concerns for the Ticats was juggling the Canadian ratio in the aftermath of a rash of injuries to national starters.
Andy Fantuz dressed in his first game last week after tearing his ACL almost a year ago. The Canadian all-star made his return against the Argos, and should improve every week as he readjusts to game speed.
Another Canadian all-star in Ted Laurent may be making his return this week. Head Coach June Jones thinks he’s going to be ready to go. Laurent is a true ratio breaker because, as Coach Jones says, “he’s one of the better players in there, and it allows us also the ratio issue along with being one of the better players. It’s a real positive.”
Ted Laurent may be starting regardless of nationality.
Abdul Kanneh doesn’t do much for the ratio, but he does bring a steady veteran presence to the Ticats defensive backfield. Kanneh has been sidelined for much of the season after suffering a couple separate injuries. His return means a lot for the Ticats and a lot for Kanneh himself.
“Just being on the sideline all year, watching the boys play. That’s kinda tough being a competitor, being somebody that wants to help the team out a lot, that’s kind of hard,” admits Kanneh.
One storyline for the Bombers heading into Friday’s matchup is the recent play of kicker Justin Medlock.
The veteran kicker and former Ticat turned some heads when he earned a spot on the TSN Top 50 players poll to start the season. Medlock has thus far not lived up to the hype, and he has struggled so far this season. His CFL record career completion percentage has even been eclipsed by Rene Paredes’ during his recent field goal streak.
Medlock missed all three of his field goal attempts in his last game, and also rang a 32-yard convert attempt off the upright.
Ticats’ kicker Sergio Castillo ranks second out of the league’s nine current starters in field goal percentage, and has hit four times from outside the 50.
The Tiger-Cats are averaging a 3-point differential in regulation time in their last five games. One field goal could make a big difference on Friday.
The Ticats are looking for a bounce-back performance and the Bombers are looking to keep pace with the streaking Calgary Stampeders.
Playoffs are around the corner. The Bombers hope to punch their ticket, and the Ticats hope to make up some ground in the East.
