FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
1 THE MASOLI FACTOR
Ticats QB Jeremiah Masoli will play n his second career East final. He started n a 35-28 loss to the Redblacks in 2015 and finished with a 30-of-42 performance for 349 yards, and two touchdown passes. Masoli finished second in the CFL in passing yards (5,209) — putting up games of 352, 342 and 243 passing yards against the Redblacks in 2018. He also rushed for 473 yards, but only four of his 63 rushes (for 37 yards) came against Ottawa.
2 EARLY RISERS
Both teams will be looking to get momentum early in the game. When these teams played in Ottawa Oct. 19, the Ticats built a 16-point lead, only to fall apart in the second half and lose 35-31. In last week’s East semi, Hamilton scored on its first three possessions in a 48-8 win over B.C. The Ticats were the first CFL team to score on the first three drives of a playoff game since Nov. 17, 1985 (Hamilton vs. Montreal).
3 OH, WHAT A RUSH!
Both teams have terrific running backs. Ottawa ranked last in the CFL in rushing despite having William Powell who led the entire CFL at 85.1 yards per game and was No. 2 with in rushing yards with 1,362 in only 16 games. Hamilton’s defence held Powell to 87 and 47 yards in his two starts against them. Ticats’ Alex Green made just eight starts, but was not held under 50 yards. His 75.5 yards per game equated to 1,359 for the year.
4 HOME SWEET HOME
The home team has won each of the past four East finals and eight of 10. The only exceptions were Hamilton in 2013 and Toronto in 2012. The most recent secondplace East team to get to and win the Grey Cup was Toronto in 2012.
5 CANADIAN PASS-CATCHERS
Ottawa’s Brad Sinopoli set a record for a Canadian receiver with 116 receptions (1,376 yards). The secondbest total for a Canadian receiver this season was Hamilton’s Mike Jones, with 841 yards — an increase of 556 yards over his 2017 numbers. Flying under the radar are Ottawa’s Julian Feoli-Gudino and Hamilton’s Justin Buren.