Key Points:

• Hamilton Tiger-Cats to face Montreal Alouettes, while BC Lions host Calgary Stampeders in the Division Semi-Finals on November 4.
• The victorious teams will advance towards a face-off with Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their respective Division Finals.
• A glance into the past confrontations reveals a tapestry of triumphs and losses, setting the stage for exhilarating semi-final matchups.

The clock is ticking down to the much-anticipated Canadian Football League (CFL) Division Semi-Finals slated for Saturday, November 4. The teams have been drawn, the venues are set, and the stakes are high as the road to the 110th Grey Cup Playoffs is meticulously paved with grit, strategy, and fervent hopes of glory.

In the Eastern bracket, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are gearing up for a challenging voyage to Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, where they will lock horns with the Montreal Alouettes. The spoils of victory promise a ticket to a clash with the Toronto Argonauts in the Division Finals on November 11. This is not the first dance between Hamilton and Montreal. Their past two encounters in 2021 and 2022 bore witness to a home ground advantage, with Montreal securing a win with a score of 28 to Hamilton’s 17 last year at Percival Molson Stadium. The coaches, Jason Maas with a playoff record of 3-3, and Orlondo Steinauer boasting a 3-1 score, have their game faces on, ready to delve into this gridiron feud.

Meanwhile, out west, BC Place is primed to host the clash of titans between the BC Lions and the Calgary Stampeders. The victor will march ahead to contend with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, eyeing the coveted Division Final crown. The recent memory of BC’s 30-16 triumph over Calgary in the 2022 Western Semi-Final is still fresh, and the season series leaned towards BC with a 2-1 lead. The spotlight also shines on head coaches Rick Campbell and Dave Dickenson with playoff records of 4-2 and 3-3, respectively, hinting at a tactical warfare awaiting on the field.

The postseason records tell tales of hard-fought battles:

• Winnipeg (1936-2022): 66-52-2 (.558)
• BC (1959-2022): 22-34 (.393)
• Calgary (1945-2022): 48-49-2 (.500)
• Toronto (1936-2022): 45-38-1 (.548)
• Montreal (1946-86, 1996-2022): 38-36 (.514)
• Hamilton (1950-2022): 46-48-1 (.489)

As the teams refine their game plans, the players are attuned to the rhythm of clashing helmets and the roaring crowd. The likes of Austin Mack from Montreal and Tim White from Hamilton have already left indelible marks in previous face-offs. Similarly, the aggressive tackles of Calgary’s Micah Awe resonate in the minds of BC’s offensive line.

The CFL Division Semi-Finals beckon, promising a spectacle of strategy, athleticism, and unyielding resolve. The curtain to the next act of the 110th Grey Cup Playoffs is about to be lifted, as the Canadian football saga continues to unfold under the autumn sky.