'Oskee Wee Wee!' Ticats fans rejoice after comeback win ahead of hometown Grey Cup - Action News
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Hamilton

'Oskee Wee Wee!' Ticats fans rejoice after comeback win ahead of hometown Grey Cup

The Ticats beat the Toronto Argonauts in a hard-fought game on Sunday that put their fans through a rollercoaster of emotions.

Ticats will face Winnipeg in Grey Cup rematch on Sunday

Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans watched their team beat the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday to advance to the Grey Cup. (Submitted by Craig Rees)

Sunday afternoon was almost a heartbreaking day forMichael Durham.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats fan was clad in black and gold and cheering for his team at BMO Field. They needed at least 12 points to catch up tothe Toronto Argonautsin the CFL East Division final but the Ticatsdidn't have a single point.

"We were taking a beating," the 61-year-oldtold CBC Hamilton lateSunday afternoon.

As Durhamsatin the standspraying for a comeback after halftime, lifelong fan Jim Martin was also in misery.

Michael Durham, on the right, said the atmosphere was electric at BMO field in Toronto, where the Hamilton Tiger-Cats took home the win on Sunday. (Michael Durham/Facebook)

Martin andhis 71-year-old fathersat on their living room couch wearing their lucky jerseys and hats. They watchedas the team struggled to mount any momentum.

"We were calling them a bunch of lazy bums and we were ready to take our shirts and throw them out the front door," Martin said.

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Papi White's 92-yard punt return touchdown propelled Hamilton to a 27-19 win over Toronto in the East Final.

Then Ticatsquarterback Dane Evans stepped onto the gridiron, replacing starterJeremiah Masoli.

"You're on the edge of your seat and you're like, 'Oh my god, this is crazy, we're going to get the Grey Cup at home and we're not even going to make the [final]," said Monica Dewar, who was watching the game with her friendCarole Muir in Hamilton's east end.

"And once they got that first touchdown, you could see the momentum change. Itwas epic."

Carole Muir and Monica Dewar stayed home to watch the Ticats play in Toronto. (Submitted by Monica Dewar)

Durham saidthe cow bells ranga little louder, the horns blareda little longer and the stomps and claps shookthe Toronto arena.

"I think we were outshouting the Argo fans, especially on defensive side," he said.

"You could sense from Argos fansthings were about to change and you couldsee the apprehension in their faces."

The Ticats pounced, going from no points in the first half to27 points in the second half.

Claps and cheersfilledMartin's Kitchener, Ont.home as the Hamilton team rallied back to claim an upset victory.

Social media feeds were also full of Ticat pride, with some fans shedding tears.

The Ticatsadvanced to the finals, setting up a rematch against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

In 2019, the last time there was a Grey Cup game, Winnipeg blewHamilton away in the big game, winning 33 to 12.

The two teams will clash again on Sunday at Tim Hortons Field and Martin can't wait.

"It'll be sweet revenge," hesaid.

Jim Martin and his father Jim Martin Sr. pictured watching the Ticats during the 2019 East Final. (Submitted by Jim Martin)