Shiltz comes off bench to rally Tiger-Cats to playoff-clinching win vs. Stampeders
It was a triumphant return for Matt Shiltz.
The veteran quarterback got here off the bench to throw two landing passes because the Hamilton Tiger-Cats cemented a CFL playoff berth with a 22-15 residence win over the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday evening.
Shiltz was making his first look since struggling a hip damage in Hamilton’s 37-29 win over Edmonton on July 13. The 30-year-old American confirmed a aptitude for the dramatic, connecting with Tim White on a 70-yard TD strike on his first cross try.
“It felt nice to get again on the market and simply be part of it and do no matter I might to assist the workforce win,” Shiltz mentioned. “I’ve been wanting ahead to doing that.
“We obtained the best look, we (Shiltz and White) each sort of noticed the identical factor on the play. Give the man an opportunity and Tim’s going to return out (with the soccer) as a rule.”
Hamilton (7-8) punched its post-season ticket with the win and the Montreal Alouettes’ 32-17 highway victory over the Ottawa Redblacks earlier Saturday. The Ticats have gained 4 of their final six video games and improved to 4-2 versus West Division competitors.
Shiltz changed starter Taylor Powell early within the second quarter after the rookie accomplished simply two-of-six passes for 14 yards. Shiltz completed 11-of-19 passing for 225 yards with two TDs and an interception earlier than a Tim Hortons Area gathering of twenty-two,809.
“It’s good to see Matt again within the saddle, simply the journey he’s been on,” mentioned Orlondo Steinauer, Hamilton’s head coach/president of soccer operations. “Shoot, his profession seemed prefer it might be in jeopardy, not to mention the season.
“Simply so completely happy for him and clearly completely happy for our soccer workforce.”
James Butler ran for 92 yards on 14 carries as Hamilton earned a second straight residence victory to enhance to 3-5 at Tim Hortons Area.
“We have to carry out at residence, it’s a bonus,” Steinauer mentioned. “However to be sincere we weren’t profitable anyplace nevertheless it looks as if every time our again has been towards the wall we’ve discovered a option to claw and scratch.
“So right here we’re with an incredible alternative however we’re not going to relaxation on this. We’re going to make use of this as a platform, hold constructing on it.”
Marc Liegghio’s 31-yard discipline purpose at 5:59 of the fourth put Hamilton forward 19-9. Rene Paredes’ 44-yard kick at 9:11 made it a seven-point recreation earlier than Liegghio’s 21-yard discipline purpose at 13:41 restored the Ticats’ 10-point lead.
Paredes made a 44-yard discipline purpose at 14:31 to drag Calgary to inside 22-15. However Hamilton’s Kai Locksley recovered the Stampeders’ onside kick with 27 seconds remaining to cement the victory.
Montreal (8-7) stands second within the East Division, two factors forward of Hamilton. The 2 groups meet on the ultimate week of the season however the Alouettes have already clinched the season sequence for the tiebreaker.
Calgary (4-11) suffered a 3rd straight loss and remained tied for fourth within the West Division with the idle Edmonton Elks (4-11). The Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-9) are third within the West Division.
Calgary slipped to 2-6 away from McMahon Stadium and 2-5 versus the East Division. Quarterback Jake Maier accomplished 26-of-44 passes for 247 yards because the Stampeders had extra first downs (21 to 14) and offensive performs (63 to 49) than Hamilton.
“It was a combat,” mentioned Dave Dickenson, Calgary’s head coach/GM. “For us, once more, it was not sufficient.
“We knew how vital this recreation was. We pressed a little bit bit, simply weren’t capable of in my view to sort of recover from the hump. Get the lead, really feel assured about our recreation and it confirmed and we weren’t capable of win.”
Saturday additionally marked the Nationwide Day for Fact and Reconciliation and each groups wore orange jerseys throughout pre-game warm-ups. Calgary additionally had a particular emblem on its helmets for the competition.
Terry Godwin II had Hamilton’s different landing. Liegghio booted three discipline targets and a convert.
Paredes booted 5 discipline targets for Calgary.
Paredes had the lone factors of the third quarter, his 47-yard discipline purpose at 3:51 chopping Hamilton’s result in 16-9.
Shiltz staked Hamilton to its 16-6 halftime benefit with a 28-yard landing cross to Godwin II at 13:57 of the second quarter. It capped a 69-yard, five-play drive.
Shiltz changed Powell at 10:56 of the quarter and accomplished 6-of-10 passes for 195 yards, the 2 TDs and an interception.
Liegghio linked from 41 yards out at 12:18 to provide Hamilton a 9-6 benefit.
Paredes’ 30-yard boot at 3:39 pushed Calgary’s result in 6-0. However Shiltz’s 70-yard TD cross to White at 4:02 made it 6-6 as Liegghio missed the convert, his fifth this season.
Paredes’ 47-yard discipline purpose at 8:16 of the primary opened the scoring. It was arrange by Ticat Felix Garand-Gauthier’s incompletion out of punt formation that gave Calgary possession at Hamilton’s 50-yard line.
UP NEXT
Hamilton will go to the Saskatchewan Roughriders subsequent Saturday whereas Calgary can have a bye week.
