‘They mean everything to us’

There’s just something about a home opener in Winnipeg.

Whether you’re a rookie or a grizzled veteran, the first game in front of Blue and Gold diehards is one worth circling on the calendar.

“There was some juice out there today. I had to tell the receivers, ‘Hey, tomorrow is the game,’” said quarterback Zach Collaros after Wednesday’s walk-through.

“It’s a great place to play. I think it’s one thing that almost works against you sometimes as the home team, is the other team’s really juiced up, too, ‘cause it’s hard not to be.

“Sometimes you go places in this league on the road and it’s like, man, you’ve gotta really work to get up for this one. And that’s terrible to say, because you should be up for every game… But there’s an adrenaline rush that you get on both sides here.”

The Bombers, fresh off a 30-28 victory in Calgary in Week 1, will try to start 2-0 for the sixth time in seven seasons when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday night. The Ticats are 0-1 after fumbling away a 30-27 overtime thriller to Montreal at home.

If the Bombers sell approximately 1,000 more tickets between now and the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, they’ll have sold out a 15th consecutive game.

“Every year, the first home game, I still get chills coming out (of the tunnel) and seeing the crowd,” said special-teams ace Nick Hallett. “They mean everything to us.”

To get you ready for this week’s tilt, here’s the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

TICATS SEEKING REDEMPTION

The Ticats have some demons to exorcise at Princess Auto Stadium.

They were shellacked 40-3 the last time they were in town (Sept. 27, 2025) in a game where seemingly nothing went their way.

It started ugly, with Trey Vaval opening the contest with a 98-yard kickoff touchdown, and it was all downhill from there.

Heck, even Dillon Mitchell caught a touchdown for Winnipeg.

More importantly, Hamilton is desperate to end its string of slow starts. The Tiger-Cats have started every season since 2021 in an 0-2 hole. They are 3-6 against the Bombers during that span.

DETERMINED DEFENCE

It was an up-and-down showing by the Bombers’ defence last week, to say the least.

Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and running back Dedrick Mills moved the ball with ease in the first half, then rallied late with an incredible 15-play drive in the game’s final minutes to stay alive.

“Your second game has gotta be 100 per cent better than your first game. You get to see your flaws and weaknesses, and you get to correct it,” said Bombers halfback Deatrick Nichols.

“You saw a slow, sluggish start, but now, it’s on to Week 2 and everyone’s ready to roll. Everyone got their jitters out and it’s just time to play some football now.”

The unit did a lot of good, though.

Jake Ceresna (three sacks) and Willie Jefferson (one sack and two pass knockdowns) were menaces on the D-line and will want to have a similar showing this week against Bo Levi Mitchell and Co.

Mitchell completed 34 of 39 passes for 307 yards and a pick against Montreal. His go-to target, and arguably the best pass catcher in the three-down circuit, Kenny Lawler, had four grabs for 58 yards.

In two games against the Bombers last year, Lawler had nine catches for 131 yards.

RUN GAME

If there’s one area where the Bombers have an obvious advantage, it’s the run game.

Nobody needs to be reminded how good Brady Oliveira is. He was in peak form in Calgary with 15 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Then there’s Hamilton, which produced an abysmal 35 rushing yards and averaged just 2.2 yards per carry against the Alouettes.

Their starting tailback is CFL newcomer Larry Rountree III, who played 16 games for the Los Angeles Chargers between 2021 and 2022.

He was stifled in his Canadian debut, managing 23 yards on eight carries, plus five catches for 17 yards.

Until proven otherwise, the Ticats are one-dimensional on offence.

FAMILIAR FACES

Centre Chris Kolankowski and receiver Keric Wheatfall are the latest former Bombers to end up in Hamilton.

The Bombers cut Kolankowski to get younger and cheaper on the O-line and allowed Wheatfall to walk in free agency.

This will be their first chance to stick it to their former club.

“It’s the shittiest part about this business. (Kolankowski) not being in the building sucks,” said guard Patrick Neufeld. “But he’s a competitor, he’s going to play his butt off and I’m sure he’s got a little chip on his shoulder against us.”

Kolankowski, 34, spent five seasons with the Bombers and started 69 games. The Blue and Gold are now rolling with rookie Tyler Elsbury in the middle of the offensive line.

“We love Chris… You always knew going into a game he was going to know all the fronts inside and out, get you in the right call. So from a players’ standpoint, just great to be around,” said Collaros.

“And has done so much more than probably people would have projected for him. I’m sure he would say that, too. Being a shorter person as well, that chip on your shoulder is a real thing. So what he’s accomplished so far in his career and continues to do is impressive.”

Wheatfall found the end zone in his Ticats debut with a four-yard TD run, along with six receptions for 46 yards. He also fumbled in overtime to set Montreal up for the win.

Returner/receiver Myron Mitchell, who played four games for the Bombers in 2024, is back in the CFL and also with Hamilton in a starting role. Lawler, running back Johnny Augustine, quarterback Jake Dolegala, kicker Marc Liegghio, defensive linemen Owen Hubert and Miles Fox, and offensive lineman Liam Dobson are the other former Bombers on the roster.

WATCH OUT FOR WHITE

Tim White made it loud and clear on Tuesday that he’s done answering questions about his time in Hamilton.

The three-time all-star was released by the Tabbies after the sides failed to agree on an extension this off-season.

It’s hard to say if he’s bitter or upset as the 31-year-old has held his cards close to his chest since signing in Winnipeg. Perhaps he’s determined to let his play do the talking, and if that’s the case, the Ticats could be in trouble.

White led the Bombers with five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown against the Stampeders, and it would be no surprise to see him have an even bigger outing in his first game at home as a Bomber.

Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander shredded Hamilton’s secondary for 336 yards and two touchdowns last week and remains undefeated as a starter (12-0) during the regular season.

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