A warm Medlock did his part
By Frank Zicarelli, QMI Agency
|
  
|
  Hamilton Tiger-Cats' kicker Justin Medlock (L) and holder Jason Boltus kick a field goal against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the first half of their CFL Eastern final football game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 20, 2011. (REUTERS/Todd Korol)
|
Justin Medlock would produce Hamilton’s only points, a first-quarter field goal that may have not been attempted had the heat not been turned on.
In the moments prior to Sunday’s kickoff at frozen Canad Inns Stadium, one of the heaters positioned near the Ticats bench wasn’t working.
“I went up to coach (Marcel Bellefeuille) and told him I wouldn’t be able to anything,’’ Medlock, a California native, revealed.
The heat would return and Medlock was able to keep himself sufficiently warm on a day when kicking the football became an adventure.
“The ball felt really hard and it was tough keeping your hands warm,’’ added Medlock.
Overall, Medlock did as good a job as possible, averaging 37.4 yards on 12 punts.
His most impactful punt was a 74-yarder in the fourth quarter, a wind-aided bomb that forced Winnipeg to scrimmage from its nine-yard line in a 10-point game.
“I had that one big punt and it looked like it would be a turning point,’’ continued Medlock. “We were right there.
“It’s very disappointing. The guys fought hard and it was a physical battle.”
