3Keys: Ticats @ Als

As the season continues to wind down, with first place locked up and the 13-3 Hamilton Tiger-Cats still have something left to play for. Setting the franchise win bar even higher and continuing to fine-tune everything ahead of the Eastern Final are all things to watch out for on Saturday afternoon in Montreal. These are the 3keys for Ticats @ Als.
 
Potential Eastern Final Matchup
Only the Edmonton Eskimos stand between a Ticats-Alouettes Eastern Final. Hamilton has of course already punched their ticket, while Edmonton is going to cross-over into the East to face the Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Final.
Saturday will be a great tune-up opportunity for the Ticats, when they get another look at a potential playoff opponent. It also gives the Ticats the chance to finish the season with a winning record against the Alouettes after the teams split the first two meetings.
A win could give the Ticats a morale boost ahead of the Eastern Final, knowing that they have Montreal’s number—should that be the matchup.
 
Adding to Franchise Record
The Ticats have already broken the franchise record for wins. Now they have the opportunity to set the bar even higher. It currently sits at 13, so with two games remaining they can obviously get as many as 15 wins, which would be an incredible achievement.
“It means a lot. When you have an opportunity to set a franchise record I think it’s important you seize that opportunity.” Said Head Coach Orlondo Steinauer after the Ticats recorded their record-setting 13th win. “It means a lot to the city and the organization from the top down but from now on its setting that bar even higher.”
Like he’s done all year long, Coach O echoed the sentiments of Billy Beane in Moneyball. Saying that the Ticats still have unfinished business to get to their ultimate goal. If you don’t win the last game of the season, nobody cares.
 
Top Performers
After beating the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, both Dane Evans and Tyrell Sutton were given CFL Top Performer honours for their impressive games.
Tyrell Sutton was named a Top Performer after posting 149 scrimmage yards. Dane Evans was named the CFL’s Top Performer after throwing for 452 yards and a touchdown on 78% passing.
“It’s just a testament to the way we play in Hamilton.” Says Sutton. “Just being a team-first guy and wanting to get those wins. Personal accolades will always follow.”
Evans was quick to hand out credit post-game on Saturday.
“You can’t throw for those yards without the offensive line and you for dang sure can’t do it without guys going up and catching the ball. Acklin one-handing balls over the middle, Speedy running great routes. That touchdown route was one of the best routes I’ve ever seen him run” Said Evans. “Those yards are just a by-product of that. I’m just playing point guard trying to get them the rock.”
Sutton notes that the football intelligence of the locker room has been a big factor in helping him adapt to a new offence as quickly as he has.
“The IQ around here is second to none. I’ve been around some teams where guys just don’t get it, but these guys can actually coach the entire playbook. A lot of the guys in this room are really football-savvy and just really get the game of football.”