This was the year things were going to be different for the perennially slow-starting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Everything was in place for a big season-opening win in Calgary. A potent offence. An improved defence. Familiarity. Motivation. Returning stars. New stars. Great practices. All of it.

Didn’t matter.

A 38-26 loss to the Stampeders means the black and gold have dropped yet another Week 1 decision – that’s five in a row – and have now lost nearly every season kickoff since the early days of the Diefenbaker Administration.

OK, that last part’s a bit of an exaggeration but only barely. The truth is, 19 of the past 22 season kickoffs have now landed in the L column. Which is truly a fascinating statistical anomaly considering how many different players, coaches, managers and even traine

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