The Lions are the worst at being grateful.
Instead of thanking Hamilton for helping them into the playoffs, they teased the Tiger-Cats late before ending their season with a 34-27 overtime win Sunday at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
And instead of being obligated to the Ti-Cats defence for stopping Winnipeg last week, they used it to their own advantage, scoring 445 total yards and three touchdowns, including Ian Smart's game-winning conversion in the extra frame.
Even Casey Printers didn't feel a need to show some courtesy in his return to Hamilton, completing 24 of 35 passes for 360 yards to help the Lions advance to the Eastern Division finals next Sunday.
Despite being sacked four times, the B.C. quarterback also rushed for a TD of his own in his first win this season with the Lions after failing to do so in his last three starts.
The victory came at the right time, as did the B.C. defence's knack for big stops.
Having allowed 12 touchdowns in their last three regular season games, the Lions defensive unit got the job done when it really mattered, sacking Kevin Glenn five times -Brent Johnson with three- and shutting down the Hamilton ground game.
Sure, they allowed an eight-point lead to evaporate in the final 90 seconds, but that does not exclude all the moments in the second half when they limited the Tiger-Cats to field goals on what would be touchdown situations.
Although the defence also let Glenn throw for 437 yards and two TDs, they came up with the stop in overtime after the Lions took the lead and also held running back DeAndra' Cobb to only 34 rushing yards.
The 11 penalties obviously didn't make the win any easier, but B.C got plenty of help from Paul McCallum, who made all four field goal kicks, while Emmanuel Arceneaux (120) and Geroy Simon (111) both caught for over 100-yards.
With the win, the Lions will now have to face the league-best Montreal Alouettes next Sunday to decide the Eastern representative for the Grey Cup matchup.
