A fan’s guide to Grey Cup 102: Latest news
Hamilton Ticats and Calgary Stampeders square off on Sunday in Vancouver
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are back in the Grey Cup for the second straight season, with only the Calgary Stampeders standing in the way of the team’s first CFL title since 1999.
Thursday's update includes the Ticats media breakfast in the morning with a view of the Grey Cup, a report out of Calgary which is looking to fills some holes on an injured defensive line, and (thankfully) a mayor's bet has been settled, among other stories.
Here’s a guide to Sunday’s big game, which we’ll keep up to date in the days leading up to kickoff.
When is the game and where can I see it?
The Ticats take the field on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. local time in Vancouver.) The game will be played at B.C. Place, the 59,841-seat stadium that’s home to the B.C. Lions during the regular season.
TSN1 is broadcasting the game. The sports network’s pre-game show begins at 1 p.m., if you really want to start the party early.
Who’s going to win?
If you ask the Tiger-Cats die-hards that came out to send off the team on Tuesday, Hamilton will be bringing home the cup. But the team enters the Grey Cup as the underdog.
The Stamps won the CFL’s West Division — by far the league’s stronger half — with a 15-3 record. Calgary also won both regular season games against Hamilton, even though the team was missing its star running back Jon Cornish in both games.
Still, the Tiger-Cats have momentum on their side. After a rocky start, the team finished 9-9, and went a flawless 7-0 at Tim Hortons Field after the stadium finally opened for the Labour Day Classic.
What players should I cheer for?
You can line the game up in several different ways: Calgary’s explosive offence against Hamilton’s stingy D, a dual between two young quarterbacks, or, a close game that could be won by either side’s special teams players.
For Hamilton, plenty of eyes will be on Brandon “Speedy B” Banks, the 5’7, 153-pound rocket of a punt returner who ran two punts for touchdowns in the Ticats’ East Final win over Montreal.
The Stamps, meanwhile, have numerous weapons, though all eyes will be on Cornish, the most dominating running back in the CFL today.
For more players who could have a big impact, check out this CBC Sports gallery.