Grey Cup: The agony of defeat, Ticats fall to Stamps in thriller

Hamilton's downtown core was filled with sorrow and disappointment following the 20-16 Hamilton Tiger-Cats Grey Cup loss to the Calgary Stampeders.

There was the slow start, the failed red zone attempts and the field goals instead of touchdowns. And then there was the 90-yard Brandon Banks punt return touchdown that was called back with 35 seconds left on the clock because of a flag. 

For the second straight year, and for 15 years (and counting), the Grey Cup will not make it's way back to Hamilton. 

"It's crushing," said Frank Sabods outside the Honest Lawyer in a heavily-police Hamilton core Sunday night. 

"Disappointment" was the only word Robert Patterson could describe the loss at first. "It was a lot of hype… but we choked."

Hamilton Police were on most corners in the downtown core Sunday night. They were on foot, bike and horse in a highly visible way, but core was quiet and subdued following the loss.

The Ticats had a slow start to the Grey Cup game. They fell behind early, and they fell behind big. At one point in the first half, the Ticats were down 17-0 and had a field goal attempt blocked. The worries of how Hamilton would fare in the red zone, the 20 yards area away from the end zone which Hamilton has struggled in all year, were second to actually getting there. 

A 45-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Banks before the half was over gave hope to patrons of Buffalo Wild Wings in Ancaster, one of man Ticats parties in the city. 

"I don't have any doubt that (defensive coordinator) Orlando (Steinauer) is going to shore top the defence, Kent (Austin) and the guys are going to work on the offence and it's just going to be a matter of time," said Debbie Burke, dressed head to toe in black and gold with a pair of cheerleader pom-poms at her side. 

She was right — the defence roared back, limited the Stamps to just three points in the second half. But the damage was already done. Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 334 yards, and one interception, most of which was done by the end of the third quarter.

Brandon Banks, the X-factor in Hamilton East Final victory to send them to the Grey Cup with two punt return touchdowns, had a last second punt return called back on an illegal block. 

It took the breath out all fans, and took the life out of the city Sunday night. 

"I felt bad for Banks," Nick Turco said  while walking outside of Jackson Square. "He had the win… and it got turned away." 

"Second year in a row," Patterson said, looking towards the next seaosn. "Hopefully, maybe, third time's a charm. Maybe we can do it."