Game Thread: Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Toronto Argoanuts - September 23, 2023

[gilthethrill]

Guelph's Kiondra Smith is having a strong game for the Ticats. Maybe he plays a more central role in their offense going forward.

And hey the Ticats have even targeted their FB a couple times today. Maybe a few more targets in Garand-Gauthier's direction could've extended some drives.

Smith’s over exuberant 1st Down Celebrations in a blowout game was a sight to see. Ti Cats took full advantage of Jamal Peters replacement. Thomas Costigan was an Animal tonight! Had the immobile BLM been behind centre, Argo sack total would have been much higher. Many were surprised when Hamilton’s OT Jordan Murray left the CFL for an NFL opportunity. After 2 years there he had 3 Illegal Procedure penalties last night.

[gilthethrill]

100%. It was definitely Scott that was going to come in.

Just have to say this. Ti-Cats are now 6-4 against teams that don't wear Double Blue.

With 3 of those 6 wins being (all in close fashion) against Ottawa.

[paulwoods13]

Jaime Harry got picked on big-time after he replaced Peters. Hopefully he picks up his game the way Pierce did after Labour Day.

McManis and Costigan were huge in this game. McFadden and Stiggers also played very well.

Kelly did not have a particularly strong game, but made a few big-time plays and throws. He seems to blow hot and cold during games.

It would have been awesome if we had stopped Hamilton on that late drive so Scott could have got some playing time. Oh well, there are five more games for that to happen.

While I had expected the Cats to finish second, Montreal's surprisingly easy win over Calgary makes that close to impossible.

[Will]

100%. It was definitely Scott that was going to come in.

Just have to say this. Ti-Cats are now 6-4 against teams that don't wear Double Blue.

The Ticats are 6-2 against teams not called the Argos or Alouettes.

[ArgoZ]

I was hoping for more, but that's still a marked improvement from the last few years.

For whatever reason, Ti-cats fans don’t seem to be travelling to BMO in the numbers they used too. A couple years ago, this game would have been 19 000 with the numbers they would bring. There might have been 2000 of them there last night.

[Will]

For whatever reason, Ti-cats fans don’t seem to be travelling to BMO in the numbers they used too. A couple years ago, this game would have been 19 000 with the numbers they would bring. There might have been 2000 of them there last night.

They'll still find a way to claim that their fans were 50% of the crowd.

[paulwoods13]

For whatever reason, Ti-cats fans don’t seem to be travelling to BMO in the numbers they used too. A couple years ago, this game would have been 19 000 with the numbers they would bring. There might have been 2000 of them there last night.

And what a quiet bunch they were last night. I seriously did not hear a single Oskee-wee-wee, and I saw very few Ticats fans on my train home. I think many of them have essentially given up on the team this season.

[Will]

Jaime Harry got picked on big-time after he replaced Peters. Hopefully he picks up his game the way Pierce did after Labour Day.

McManis and Costigan were huge in this game. McFadden and Stiggers also played very well.

Kelly did not have a particularly strong game, but made a few big-time plays and throws. He seems to blow hot and cold during games.

It would have been awesome if we had stopped Hamilton on that late drive so Scott could have got some playing time. Oh well, there are five more games for that to happen.

While I had expected the Cats to finish second, Montreal's surprisingly easy win over Calgary makes that close to impossible.

Harry did get picked on, and yes Costigan was great!

[Argo57]

They'll still find a way to claim that their fans were 50% of the crowd.

None of them (except one) can count to 10 so we should dismiss any such claims.

[shayman]

I wish there had been more Hamilton fans there. I can remember in the skydome days, Montreal would occasionally charter an entire train, and suddenly there would be two entire end zone sections full of Als fans. Our stadium is even more train-convenient now.

I hope we can get to that point again somehow. I hope fans aren’t getting the messages that they aren’t welcome or safe in the other team’s building.

[paulwoods13]

I hope fans aren’t getting the messages that they aren’t welcome or safe in the other team’s building.

I don't know why anyone would come to that conclusion. I have never seen Argo fans at BMO, and none that I can remember at SkyDome, being remotely abusive to fans of the other team. As I said earlier, I think Ticats fans are essentially bailing on their team this season.

[shayman]

Well, whatever the reason, they’re not coming like they used to, and it’s just about the easiest possible road game situation for a Ticat fan to attend. I hope somebody is trying to understand why, because it’s a pretty entertaining product. And it was a beautiful night for football.

Of course, we also have problems getting argo fans into the building so maybe I shouldn’t be that surprised.

["Issues"Mcgee]

It's lonely at the top. Can't rely on fans of other teams to fill BMO.

15k and almost all Double Blue fans is pretty good. If the Argos can hit over 15k for the final two home games and the usual 20k+ for the East Final, we're looking at a significant improvement in attendance this season and good things will come as a result.

[shayman]

Of course I don't want Ticat fans to fill our building. I want 20,000 argo fans AND 2,000 Ticat fans going at it. Some day we'll get back to that.

[Will]

I don't know why anyone would come to that conclusion. I have never seen Argo fans at BMO, and none that I can remember at SkyDome, being remotely abusive to fans of the other team. As I said earlier, I think Ticats fans are essentially bailing on their team this season.

I'm almost certain it happens though, I mean I've heard from Ticat fans (who I actually like) that they've experienced problems.

No fanbase are 100% angels even if we want to believe that we are.

[paulwoods13]

I'm almost certain it happens though, I mean I've heard from Ticat fans (who I actually like) that they've experienced problems.

No fanbase are 100% angels even if we want to believe that we are.

No doubt there are a few bad apples in every bushel, but I find the atmosphere at BMO very chill when it comes to opposing team's fans. I do believe that generally speaking, Argo fans hate the Ticats way less than Ticat fans hate the Argos. Hamilton (in general) resents Toronto; Toronto (in general) rarely bothers to even think about Hamilton.

[AngeloV]

The Ticats are 6-2 against teams not called the Argos or Alouettes.

They are feasting on that weak western division

[AngeloV]

They'll still find a way to claim that their fans were 50% of the crowd.

And the noise was piped in.

[Will]

They are feasting on that weak western division

Plus 3 wins against Ottawa which all went down to the wire preyty much.

[ArgoRavi]

100%. It was definitely Scott that was going to come in.

Just have to say this. Ti-Cats are now 6-4 against teams that don't wear Double Blue.

6-2 against teams that don't wear double blue or are called Montreal. I think that the Alouettes are significantly better than the Ticats.