Ti-Cat Fever

It’s been a good weekend for Hamilton Tiger-cat fans: CFL labour strike avoided, Tim Horton’s Field is under construction and a pre-season 28-23 victory over the Montreal Alouettes.

Saturday, CFL fans coloured in black and yellow entered McMaster University’s Ron Joyce Field knowing that the regular season is just around the corner, but everyone has July 26th circled on their calendar: the Ti-Cat’s home opener at Tim Hortons Field. You don’t need Pigskin Pete to make fans excited about that.

Fans have already put last year’s 45-23 Grey Cup loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the rear view mirror, optimistic for the 2014 CFL season.

“The team looks really good,” one fan said “I love (Kent) Austin, he is a great coach.”

Fans being optimistic is one thing, but this year’s team even has a former Hamilton Tiger-cat player, Angelo Mosca looking at another strong season from the Ti-cats.

“We have a lot of good talent out there that I know of,” former Tiger-Cat, Angelo Mosca said “I don’t know some these kids, but I think they have the right attitude.”

Everyone is buying into the team, literally, black and yellow merchandise is flying off the shelves, according to Ti-Cat management.

One fan bought a jersey before Saturday’s sold-out game against Montreal -not because he didn’t own one, but to add to his Tiger-Cat jersey collection.

“There has been a ton of excitement,” Scott McNaughton in public relations said its reflected in their merchandise sales “I think we are at record highs all across the board in terms of merchandise leading up to this year.”

The Tiger-Cats have their next pre-season game on June 19th against the Toronto Argonauts, before they kick-off their regular season against the 2013 Grey Cup champions, Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 29th.