Tiger-Cats clinch playoff berth with OT win over RedBlacks

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats flipped the script on the Ottawa RedBlacks, winning 39-36 in double overtime to maintain a shot at first place in the East Division.

With the win, Hamilton clinched a berth in the postseason, while eliminating both Montreal and Toronto from playoff contention.

The Tiger-Cats' defensive line smothered RedBlacks quarterback Henry Burris on the first two plays of the second mini-game, with John Chick's strip-sack and Adrian Tracy's recovery ending Ottawa's possession. Brett Maher, who missed a potential game-winner last week in the first leg of the teams' home-and-away set, drilled a 38-yard field goal for the win on a wet and windy night at TD Place.

With two games to play, Hamilton (7-9) is one point behind Ottawa (7-8-1) for first place and home field for the East Division final on Nov. 20. The Tiger-Cats finish at home against Edmonton and Montreal, while Ottawa seems to have the tougher slate in the form of a home-and-away set against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-6).

Hamilton, which snapped a three-game losing streak, pulled even at 33-33 with 3:59 left in the fourth quarter through a touchdown catch by running back C.J. Gable. Each team stalled just beyond field-goal range in the final minutes. Tiger-Cats cornerback Cassius Vaughn broke up a second-down pass with 36 seconds left to induce an Ottawa punt.

Jeremiah Masoli led the Tiger-Cats to 21 second-half points, while Ottawa was limited to one scoring drive after the intermission. Ottawa lost a touchdown opportunity in the third quarter when centre Jon Gott flubbed a snap on the slick turf on first down at Hamilton's 1-yard line.

The second half was a near reprise from last week, as Ottawa built a two-touchdown halftime lead before Masoli and the Tiger-Cats rallied.

Masoli was 25-of-37 for 345 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Kevin Elliott (four receptions for 93 yards), C.J. Gable (10 rushes for 59), John Chiles, and Jeff Mathews scored Hamilton's touchdowns. Maher was 4-of-5 on field goals with one single, and also missed a convert. The Tiger-Cats also had a failed two-point convert.

Burris was 30-of-38 for 421 yards with three TDs and one interception. Ernest Jackson made 10 receptions for 102 yards and two scores. Mossis Madu had 15 rushes for 84 yards. Juron Criner also made a TD reception. Milo was 3-of-3 on field goals, but missed a convert in the fourth quarter.

Ottawa scored on five of its first six possessions to open a 27-12 halftime lead. Masoli was intercepted twice in the red zone during the first two quarters, but Ottawa offset that by allowing nine points off two turnovers, both deep in its own end.

The RedBlacks limited Hamilton to a field goal after the teams traded interceptions early in the second quarter, with 312-pound defensive tackle Michael Atkinson batting up an attempted screen pass and making a balletic interception on Ottawa's 5-yard line.

Hamilton parlayed a fumbled punt by Tristan Jackson at the RedBlacks' 15 into a touchdown from Elliott with 1:32 left in the quarter. Burris answered by going 5-for-5 during a one-minute drill to restore a two-TD spread.

Masoli put together a five-play, 68-yard march to start the third quarter and get Hamilton back in the game. Elliott ignited the drive with a 39-yard reception on a corner route.