'We're going to take it all the way': Ticats fans ecstatic as team heads to Grey Cup

First came a roar from the crowd, then the announcer's call: "We're going to the Grey Cup, baby!"

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats topped the Edmonton Eskimos 36-16 in the East Division final Sunday, meaning for the first time since 2014, the team is headed to the CFL's biggest game.

The team hasn't won the Grey Cup since 1999 — the league's second-longest drought — but that didn't dull the optimism of supporters outside Tim Hortons Field.

Fans, their faces rosy from the cold and voices hoarse from shouting swarmed out of the stadium chanting, singing and waving flags after the fireworks went off.

"There was no doubt in my mind they were going to take it today," said Chris Gravelle. "We're going to take it all the way."

Even before the game began the team set a record hitting an all-time high for attendance with 25,177 packing the stadium dressed in black.

"You couldn't help but have fun. It was just amazing and uplifting," said Gravelle. "We had to win because we were yelling so much!"

Eva Quildon is a longtime fan who has attended 14 Grey Cups and says all the Ticats players call her Granny.

She's been cheering them on for years, but even she described Sunday's crowd as something special, comparing it to the massive and enthusiastic turnout seen at U.S. college games.

"I'm ecstatic. I'm feeling good," she explained. "Today the crowd was amazing. They did a good job."

Hudson Ross is one of the Ticats newer fans, but that said that didn't stop him from from cheering his hardest, including the most important chant of all.

"Oskee wee wee, Oskee Waa Waa, Tigers, eat 'em raw!" he said.

Not everyone outside the stadium was overjoyed.

A lonely Eskimos fan, decked out in a team helmet, jersey and shorts was showered in boos as he waded through the crowd.

"As you can tell, the Hammer just loves me," Ryan Goodale laughed as passersby shouted good-natured abuse.

Goodale may have been born in Hamilton, but swears he bleeds the green and gold of an Eskimos fan. He even has a tattoo to prove it.

"Hamilton was the better team tonight. Props to them," he said. "I wish them all the best next week, but come next year it's going to be war all over again."

When asked whether or not Sunday's win had him considering switching sides, even just for the Grey Cup, Goodale didn't hesitate.

"I'm Edmonton through and through, I'm never going to change. I'm a fanatic," he said, adding at the end of the day he it's all about supporting Canadian football. "I just love the CFL. We just love the game. it's fun."

Joe Belvin was certainly having fun Sunday.

He had a big smile on his face as he wheeled his e-bike covered in black and gold polka dots and stuffed tiger toys through the pack.

Another longtime supporter, Belvin said it looks like this is the team that could bring the Grey Cup home.

"After 20 years, we'd like to see a cup come here."