Jerseys and Helmets over the years

1986 GREY CUP FLASHBACK

1986 GREY CUP FLASHBACK

 

By Brian Snelgrove

 

         This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats historic
         Grey Cup win over the Edmonton Eskimos. A quarter of a century later we look   
        back at that incredible upset…. major events of 1986: after a 76 year absence   
        Haley’s Comet returns….Chernobyl disaster….Challenger explodes….

                                      

As expected the game was a blowout.

And one of the biggest upsets in Grey Cup history.

The 1986 annual classic pitted the Edmonton Eskimos, sporting a league-best 13-4-1 record, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who entered the game with a rather pedestrian mark of 9-8-1.

Understandably, the Western champions were prohibitive favorites (nearly two touchdowns in most circles) over their Eastern counterparts. The first-place Eskimos had whipped the BC Lions 41-5 in the Western Final and were led by CFL legend Jackie Parker. The Tiger-Cats, under Head Coach Al Bruno, had rallied from a 14 point deficit in the first game to win the two-game total point Eastern Final over the Toronto Argonauts. The Tiger-Cats fell behind by as much as 26 points early in the second quarter of game two before mounting the biggest comeback in CFL playoff history. Hamilton had finished the regular season in second place behind the Argos and were decided underdogs against the high-powered Eskimos.

The pundits were correct. The game was a rout – but not for the Eskimos. The Black and Gold capitalized on every opportunity and in one of the biggest upsets in CFL championship history beat up their Western rivals 39-15.

The game was Hamilton’s from the opening kick-off. On the Eskimos first offensive play quarterback Matt Dunigan fumbled and the ball was recovered by Leo Ezerins for the Ticats. On the next play Kerrigan hit Steve Stapler with a 35 yard TD reception and just over a minute and a half into the game Hamilton had taken a lead they would never relinquish. The Tiger-Cats recovered five fumbles and had two interceptions and a blocked punt in the opening 30 minutes. They held the Hall of Fame combination of Damon Allen and Dunigan to four completions in 16 attempts for 42 yards in the first half. Hamilton led 29-0 as the teams headed for their dressing rooms. The Tabbies had held the explosive Eskimos offence to a mind-boggling -1 yards of offence over the first thirty minutes. The 74th Grey Cup was virtually over by half-time.

By game’s end a ferocious Tiger-Cat defence had recorded 10 sacks, six fumble recoveries, a pair of interceptions and a blocked punt.  Ben Zambiasi had six tackles, a sack and two fumble recoveries while teammate Grover Covington recorded three sacks and also picked up a fumble.

The Hamilton offence was led by first year quarterback Mike Kerrigan who threw for 304 yards as he connected on 15 of 32 passes. Kerrigan hooked up with Steve Stapler (four receptions for 130 yards) and Ron Ingram (four for 100 yards) for a pair of touchdown strikes. The Ticat pivot duplicated the feat of Chuck Ealey who 14 years earlier had also led Hamilton to a championship in his rookie season. Dan Huclack led all rushers with 48 yards on 10 carries.

When the final whistle sounded Hamilton had cruised to their first Grey Cup championship since 1972.

It was unquestionably one of the most impressive defensive performances in the history of Earl Grey’s mug.

Kerrigan was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player while Covington took home defensive honours. Paul Osbaldiston kicked a record-tying six field goals (including five in the first half) and converted all three Ticat majors and was named the game’s Most Valuable Canadian.

Tiger Paws: 1986 marked the final year that the Eastern Final was a two-game total point affair. In 1987 it reverted to a one-game final.

1986 was also the year the CFL expanded from 16 regular season games to 18 and saw the end zones shortened from 25 yards to 20. The Montreal Concordes disappeared and returned once again as the Alouettes.

Canadian legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Francis “King” Clancy, inseparable friend of Ticat owner Harold Ballard, passed away just before Hamilton’s first playoff game.

This was the Tiger-Cats third consecutive trip to the Grey Cup having lost to B.C. in ’85 and Winnipeg in ’84.

Not only did the Tiger-Cats bounce back from a 26 point deficit in game two of the Eastern Final, they also overcame a slew of injuries. Hamilton lost two players to injuries in warm-up before the second game. Offensive lineman John Malinosky and defensive back Less Browne both missed the pivotal game and were replaced by Pat Brady and Terry Lehne. Running Back Ken Zachary was injured in the first game and was replaced by Walter Bender.

 

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Hamilton Tiger-Cats: 15x Grey Cup Champions

Hamilton Tiger-Cats: 15x Grey Cup Champions

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