It wasn't just another ball game.
But it was one of the ugliest, sloppiest, wastes-of-time for anyone not the least bit interested in the action involving two CFL eastern division rivals.
It was pretty big for one of the two teams involved.
This was like watching the New Jersey Devils when they held the Red Wings to two or less goals in the 1995 Stanley Cup championships. They apparently had the Wings so frustrated after the first game that Detroit knew they were in trouble.
Offence is at a minimal and exceptional defence takes over.
Or maybe the best offence is a solid defence?
This game was probably just another game for the many many Rider fans out there, or the Alouette fans way way out there, or even the Stampeder fans whom you will find a few of them out there too.
It was Hamilton and Toronto and the game had a lot on the line.
At the very least, this was the renewal of the Argos-Ticats rivalry, a game that had all the makings of a classic, a matchup that would serve as the final game heading into a bye week for both teams until they reconvene at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton on Labour Day.
What it ended up being was a major disappointment in almost every aspect of the game.For most of the night, the biggest completion was thrown by a receiver, that should explain just how bad this game was.
Hamilton had to have this game, Toronto not so much.
After a brutal start to the season, hopes are now on the rise for the black and gold of the Tiger-Cats. But this particular Hamilton/Toronto game was both good and bad. It was good in the sense that they kept the score close yet boring because it was full of field goals and bad calls and hardly any scoring.
The Argos had no flow on offence, made mistakes on special teams and decided that taking the fewest penalties in the league in the first seven weeks was something that had to be changed.
That could easily be seen as humourous, but it probably wasn't very funny watching that game on the sidelines.
DeAndra' Cobb scored the lone touchdown of the game with less than four minutes left, when he ran in from six yards. The first five yards was nothing but open space. He was nearly stopped on the one-yard line but the Michigan State product bowled him over.
That drive had started when Toronto's Ryan Christian, a 110-yard hero the previous week against Montreal, fumbled on a kickoff return and Hamilton recovered at the Toronto 22.
When Cleo Lemon was overthrowing receivers, when Kevin Glenn was throwing into coverage and being picked off, bad play calling from the sidelines led to a turnover on downs.
Anybody watching this one that didn't care about the teams involved could've easily mistaken this broadcast for a televised circus.
What good came of this game is it proved that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are back. At least they appear to be. A couple of years ago, a win against Toronto didn't mean much. Both teams were equally as brutal to watch.
That game also provides the Ticats and their fans a look at a much stronger offence in Lemon and co. This is the same guy who threw for three touchdowns and did not get picked off in last week's eye-opening win over Montreal.
Montreal could do no good while Toronto operated like a well-oiled machine. The Argos have been playing some amazing football as of late. When you dismantle the league's top club and somehow manage to make it look easy, what it means is all the teams in the west should be paying very close attention.
At home to Hamilton Friday night, the Argos killed themselves before many of the season-high crowd of 24,493 had a chance to settle in their seats. Chad Owens' 79-yard punt return for a touchdown was negated in the opening minute of play when veteran Jeff Johnson was flagged for holding.
On the next play, a 61-yard gain was partially negated by a holding penalty on receiver Jeffery Webb.
The bad penalties served as an omen for the rest of the night. They even went so far as to get dirty. Toronto's Lin-J Shell was ejected late after he was accused of spitting in the face of Ticats linebacker Agustin Barrenechea.
One accused, the other denied.
Regardless of all that, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will spend the off-week enjoying a well-deserved win.Cobb, who has seen his carries per game dwindle in light of his own struggles, didn't just answer the challenge last night, he was easily the best offensive player in the game.
Cobb scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, as the Tiger-Cats scored 13 unanswered points in the final frame to slip past the Argos, 16-12.
Glenn has stepped up his game in helping the Ticats win back-to-back games over Winnipeg, injecting hope to a Hamilton team that was bordering on hopeless.
And Yorkton's Jordan Matechuk stopped a Toronto kick return in the first half.
Friday night was about sloppy football, field goals from short range that failed to go through the uprights, attempts from distance that hit the upright, bad coaching and bad officiating.
But when you win, who cares?
If there's anything you'd like to see covered by Game 7, please forward your suggestions to the Yorkton This Week sportsdesk by phone, fax or email. All ideas are welcome and can be submitted by calling (306) 782-2465 X-114, or by fax to: (306) 786-1898.
