The Montreal Alouettes face what players and fans have dubbed the Hamilton House of Horrors this Saturday as they attempt to break a decades-long playoff curse against the Tiger-Cats. Since 1998, Hamilton has hosted Montreal five times in postseason play, with the Alouettes losing every single encounter.
The Historical Struggle
Whether known as Ivor Wynne Stadium, Tim Hortons Field, or simply Hamilton Stadium, the venue bordered by Balsam, Melrose, and Beechwood Avenues has become Montreal's Bermuda Triangle. Five playoff appearances since 1998 have all ended in defeat for the Alouettes, even when the teams played in Guelph during 2013 stadium renovations.
The teams meet again Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the East Division final, with the winner advancing to the Grey Cup on November 16 in Winnipeg against either Saskatchewan or B.C. The game will be broadcast on CTV, TSN networks, RDS, TSN Radio-690, and 98.5 FM.
Current Outlook and Coach's Perspective
While Montreal lost both regular-season games against Hamilton this year, quarterback Davis Alexander missed both contests with a hamstring injury. The Alouettes also have recent positive history, having defeated Winnipeg in the 2023 Grey Cup championship played in Hamilton, though with Cody Fajardo as starting quarterback.
Als head coach Jason Maas expressed confidence in his team's chances. "I'm not too concerned about the past. I'm more concerned about the present," Maas stated Thursday. "We prepare every week to win, and we've got the team to do it. Our guys believe it. Ain't nobody getting on that plane Friday that doesn't believe we can go in there and win."
History of Heartbreak
The Alouettes' playoff struggles in Hamilton span multiple decades and coaching regimes:
1998 Final: Hamilton 22, Montreal 20 - Paul Osbaldiston's 54-yard field goal on the game's final play shattered Montreal's dreams after Mac Cody's touchdown catch had given the Als a brief 20-19 lead.
2001 Semifinal: Hamilton 24, Montreal 12 - Archie Amerson scored two touchdowns, including a 94-yard punt return, while Mike Pringle's critical fumble at the Hamilton five-yard line proved devastating.
2013 Semifinal: Hamilton 19, Montreal 16 (OT) - Played in Guelph during stadium renovations, this overtime thriller saw Hamilton prevail on QB Dan LeFevour's two-yard run after Sean Whyte had tied the game with seconds remaining.
2014 Final: Hamilton 40, Montreal 24 - Jonathan Crompton threw three interceptions and the Als had no answer for Brandon Banks, who returned two punts for touchdowns.
2021 Semifinal: Hamilton 23, Montreal 12 - Despite controlling the ball for over 33 minutes and producing 410 net yards, Trevor Harris fumbled three times, threw one interception, and was sacked six times.
The Alouettes have defeated Hamilton in their last two division semifinal meetings at Molson Stadium, but the teams' 1999 final in Montreal also ended in a 27-26 Hamilton victory after a critical 27-yard completion to linebacker Joe Hagins set up the winning score.
