Ticats say 'pressure is a privilege' and energy in Hamilton was 'already crazy' before CFL East final

DaShaun Amos and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will definitely have home-field advantage Saturday for the East Division final.

The team announced Friday that Hamilton Stadium is sold out and fans are being encouraged to wear black when the Ticats host the Montreal Alouettes. But for Amos, with that comes the responsibility of playing well to keep fans engaged and behind the home team throughout.

"They can be as loud as they want but if we're out there not playing our game and not to our best ability they only help us so much," Amos told reporters this week. "It's one of those things where it gives you that little bit of an edge when it's going your way, but again we play in Hamilton.

"If you're not doing your job you'll hear that as well. We plan on going out there and playing our best game and keeping the fans on our side."

Hamilton (11-7) finished first in the East to secure home field for the conference final for the first time since 2019. The Ticats last won the Grey Cup in 1999 and have the CFL's longest championship drought.

Meanwhile Montreal (10-8) is in the division final for the fourth straight year and looking to secure its second Grey Cup berth in three seasons. The Alouettes won the CFL title in 2023.

A three-time Grey Cup champion, Amos has been here before with the Calgary Stampeders (2018-19, '21) and Toronto Argonauts (2022-24). But he said the atmosphere he's experienced this season — his first with Hamilton — has been unique.

"I don't think there's one word you can use to describe the atmosphere," he said. "The regular-season energy here was already crazy so you can only imagine what it's going to be like Saturday.

"You won't get it (full experience) through TV, you'll only get it if you're on the sideline