Hamilton Tiger-Cats hosting B.C. Lions in first CFL playoff game since 2001

Dan Ralph, THE CANADIAN PRESS

It's been a while for Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans.

The Ticats will face the B.C. Lions in the East Division semifinal Sunday (TSN, 1 p.m. ET) in the CFL club's first playoff game since 2004 and its first post-season contest at Ivor Wynne Stadium since '01.

For those who are curious, that year Hamilton dispatched the Montreal Alouettes 24-12 before losing 28-13 in the East final to Winnipeg.

Hamilton (9-9) clinched its playoff berth when the Edmonton Eskimos (9-9) beat B.C. 45-13 in the regular-season finale for both teams. That victory earned the Eskimos third in the West, and the Lions (8-10) got the crossover into the East Division when the Ticats dispatched Winnipeg 39-17 Sunday, dropping the Bombers to 7-11.

Meanwhile in the West, the Calgary Stampeders host Edmonton (TSN, 4 p.m. ET) in the other division semifinal Sunday. The Stamps were relegated to second spot after dropping a 30-14 decision Saturday to Saskatchewan.

Calgary and Saskatchewan ended the season with identical 10-7-1 records, but the Riders got first based upon winning the season series.

Here's a look at how the two semifinal games shake out.

East Division

B.C. at Hamilton

Hamilton swept the season series 2-0, with rookie running back DeAndra' Cobb leading the way. Cobb rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries and had the game-winning 48-yard TD catch in a 31-28 win July 10, then ran for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-18 victory on July 31.

But a lot has changed with both clubs since then.

Veteran Kevin Glenn has replaced youngster Quinton Porter as Hamilton's starter and slotback Arland Bruce III, the Ticats' receiving leader, joined the club after its games with B.C.

Buck Pierce started both games for the Lions, but Casey Printers is expected to be under centre Sunday despite suffering a thumb injury against Edmonton. Printers signed with Hamilton as a free agent in September 2007 for a reported $500,000 a season but struggled badly with the Ticats, who released him last February.

However, Printers won't be the only player facing his former team. Ticats linebackers Otis Floyd, Markeith Knowlton and Jamall Johnson, along with defensive lineman Matt Kirk, were all members of B.C.'s '06 Grey Cup-winning team.

Cobb was a big part of Hamilton's offensive success against B.C. earlier this season and figures to be again Sunday. The Lions were last against the run in 2009, giving up 138 yards per game.

Edmonton highlighted that vulnerability, rolling up 260 yards rushing against the Lions, including 165 yards by Arkee Whitlock.

But Hamilton can do much more offensively than run the ball. Glenn has shown a deft touch down the stretch and in Bruce, the Ticats have a home-run threat.

B.C. counters with a big-play offence of its own with rookie tailback Martell Mallett (1,240 yards, 5.8-yard average) and veteran receiver Geroy Simon (79 catches, 1,239 yards, six TDs). And while the defence does feature rush end Ricky Foley (CFL-high 12 sacks), look for the Ticats to try to establish the run to keep Foley and Co., at bay.

Prediction: Hamilton.

West Division

Edmonton at Calgary

The Calgary Stampeders enter this contest the big favourites after winning the season series 3-1. The Stamps were especially dominant at McMahon Stadium, capturing both games by outscoring the Esks a combined 62-15.

But Edmonton finished the season strong, winning its final two games, including the decisive decision over the Lions to cement third in the West and its first conference playoff berth since 2005 when the club claimed its last Grey Cup championship.

Edmonton's offence was especially sharp against B.C., rolling up over 200 yards rushing. Whitlock anchored the run game in that contest and overall was third in the CFL in rushing with 1,293 yards.

Quarterback Ricky Ray ended the regular season as the CFL's passing leader with 4,916 yards and 22 TDs while tossing 12 interceptions. Ray was 98-of-145 passing for 1,040 yards and six TDs against the Stampeders.

And wideout Fred Stamps was the CFL's top receiver this season with 85 catches for 1,402 yards and eight TDs. Stamps missed practice time early in the week battling the flu but resumed workouts Thursday and is expected to play Sunday.

Stamps did have success against Calgary this season with 19 catches for 251 yards and three TDs.

And while Calgary is coming off a 30-14 loss to Saskatchewan last weekend in the battle for top spot in the West Division, the Stampeders' offence isn't exactly chopped liver.

Quarterback Henry Burris was the CFL's No. 2 passer with 4,826 yards and 21 TDs, with 1,503 yards and eight touchdowns coming in the four games against Edmonton. Jeremaine Copeland was the club's leading receiver, finishing fifth in the league with 81 catches for 1,235 yards and a league-high 12 touchdowns.

Copeland was Burris's favourite target in the four games against Calgary with 22 catches, 407 yards and five touchdowns.

But Calgary is much more than a passing team. Tailback Joffrey Reynolds was the CFL's top rusher with 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns. What's more, Reynolds averaged a sparkling 6.4 yards per carry.

This marks the 10th time Edmonton and Calgary will meet in a West Division semifinal, with the Stamps 4-2 against their provincial rivals at McMahon Stadium over that span. But the Eskimos did earn a 33-26 road win over the Stamps in 2005 en route to winning the Grey Cup.

However, the Stampeders are attempting to become the first CFL team to win the Grey Cup at home since the '94 B.C. Lions and the expectation is they will move a step closer to accomplishing that with a semifinal victory.

Prediction: Calgary.