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Brandon Banks has a tough act to follow. His own. The five-foot-seven, 153-pound receiver/kick-returner is the reason why Hamilton will host Montreal in the East Division semifinal Sunday in Guelph, Ont. On Oct. 26, Banks returned a missed field goal 107 yards for the decisive TD in a thrilling 27-24 home win over the Alouettes. The victory earned Hamilton (10-8) second in the East and home-field advantage in a playoff rematch with Montreal (8-10). Banks, who joined the Ticats on Sept. 30, also had a 45-yard TD run earlier in the contest. Suffice to say, Banks isnt heading into the CFL playoffs under the radar. "Thats cool, thats part of football," he said. "They still have to go out there and execute and stop me or whoever is getting the ball. "I dream about (making big returns with game on the line) every week and hopefully I can make a difference. Im going to try. I want the ball in my hands and be able to go the distance at any moment." Banks has been a versatile performer for Hamilton. Offensively, he has nine catches for 95 yards and six carries for 60 yards and a TD. He has also returned punts (17 for 107 yards) and kickoffs (14 kickoffs for 319 yards). Given his diminutive stature, its no surprise Banks forte is speed. In 2006, USA Today named the native of Garner, N.C., to its all-USA high school track team after he posted a 100-metre time of 10.42 seconds. And at Kansas State, Banks returned five kickoffs for TDs. Invariably the conversation always seems to revert back to Banks compact stature, but the 25-year-old is very comfortable in his own skin. "Its kind of normal now," he said. "Ive been going through it since I was little, its a normal question for me." Little? "Actually, when I was younger, I should say," Banks said before bursting out in laughter. Banks joined the Washington Redskins in 2010 as an undrafted free agent. He appeared in 41 games over three seasons, registering 119 kickoff returns for 2,856 yards and TD, 100 punt returns for 937 yards and 11 career receptions. But ball security was an issue as Banks had 12 career special-teams fumbles and another as a receiver. Banks was inactive for Washingtons final four regular-season games last year and became an unrestricted free agent in March when the Redskins didnt tender him an offer as a restricted free agent. Banks certainly filled a need for Hamilton, which had been in the market for an explosive returner after rookie Lindsey Lamar suffered a concussion earlier this season. Former Ticats star Chris Williams was the CFLs top special-teams player last year but became embroiled in a contract impasse with the club and never reported, eventually being allowed to join the NFLs New Orleans Saints. "I like the situation Im in right now," Banks said. "I think its everybodys dream to be in the NFL but if this is the best place for me to be, Id love to stay." Banks skillset is tailor-made for the longer, wider Canadian field. Special-teams play is crucial in three-down football because not only can it result in game-winning returns but result in teams getting very good field position to start drives. "Being elusive, fast and quick . . . I definitely try to use those to my advantage," Banks said. "Speed kills in the game of football. "Special-teams here are very important because theyre a third of the game and you can average 20-some plays on special teams per game. Im trying to use the wider field and not being able to call for a fair catch to my advantage. I base my skills on doing a lot of eluding and trying to run by guys." Banks return TD gave Hamilton the season series with Montreal for the first time since 02. The Ticats have reached the East Division final once since then, that coming in 11 when they lost 19-3 in Winnipeg. The Ticats last won the Grey Cup in 99, beating Calgary 32-21 at B.C. Place under late coach Ron Lancaster. But Banks focus now remains squarely on a Montreal team Hamilton will face for the third time since Sept 21. "Of course, you want to take care of home and dont want to lose at home but I think theres pressure on both teams," Banks said. "Win or go home, right? "It will come down to execution. I think the team that has the fewest penalties in the game will win." Doug Harvey Jersey . He scored two highlight-reel goals in a three-minute span -- the second on a sideways bicycle kick in the 78th minute -- to give the Whitecaps a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers before a crowd of 20,303 at B. Saku Koivu Jersey . And once again, Team Homan emerged as the victor with the reigning national champions defeating Team Sweeting at the Pintys All-Star Curling Skins Game Friday night in the tournaments opening draw at The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre in beautiful Banff National Park. http://www.canadienssale.com/. At times during a solid but not spectacular season, they looked all three. Still the defending AFC champions persevered, riding their top-ranked defence and key contributions from younger players to a 12-4 record and their eighth playoff appearance since 2000, remarkable consistency in a league where change is the only constant. Henri Richard Jersey . The 23-year-old Woods, Tiger Woods niece, closed with a 4-under 69 at Royal Pines to finish at 16-under 276. Lee also shot 69 in the event sanctioned by the European and Australian tours. Woods birdied the par-5 15th to open a two-stroke lead, hitting a wedge from about 120 yards to 4 feet. Alexei Kovalev Jersey . -- Jonas Hiller is cautiously confident he has kicked his vertigo. NEW YORK -- Brad Richards shook off second-period frustration to power the New York Rangers offence in the third. The Florida Panthers are still looking for any answer how to bust out of a long losing streak that has already cost one coach his job. Richards snapped a tie in the opening minute of the third period and then set up an insurance goal that became necessary as the surging Rangers handed the Panthers their ninth straight loss with a 4-3 victory on Sunday night. A missed prime scoring chance in the second period prompted Richards to shatter his stick against a goal post. His productivity in the third, had Panthers goalie Tim Thomas expressing similar frustration with his equipment. Richards snapped a shot past Thomas 46 seconds in, and punched the glass in celebration of his first goal in nine games. Richards then assisted on Mats Zuccarellos power-play goal that made it 4-2 and guided the Rangers to their third consecutive win and sixth in seven games. "It seemed like one of those nights where you wonder if something was against you. But we got a clean sheet of ice and I put one into the net," Richards said. "Weve been winning lately, which brings the mood of everybody up." The Panthers know nothing of that lately. They have lost nine in a row (0-5-4), and show no signs of breaking out of it, even with strong performances on back-to-back days in road losses to Ottawa and New York. Defenceman Brian Campbell scored his second of the game -- and the season -- to cut Floridas deficit to 4-3 with 7:03 left, but the Panthers couldnt get over the hump, even with a late power play after Thomas was pulled for an extra skater. Florida let a one-goal lead get away in the second, committed a crucial turnover that led to Richards go-ahead goal, and then took two penalties 53 seconds apart that led to Zuccarellos 5-on-3 tally that made it 4-2 at 6:16 of the third. "I dont know what to say," Campbell said. "It deflates you, but youve got to keep pushing. Thats how teams lose hockey games. "Its tough getting down 5-on-3. Sometimes you have to be a little more careful and not let that happen." Interim coach Peter Horachek, who took over for the fired Kevin Dineen on Friday, took a more pointed approach after dropping to 0-2. "You are not going to win games if you turn pucks over," he said. "We are not going to get better until we decide we are going to manage the puck better. These are unforced errors. You cant win hockey games that way." After a sluggish start during a season-opening, nine-game trip, the Rangers have found their stride. J.T. Miller and Derek Dorsett also scored for New York (9-8), which went over .500 for the first time this season. Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves, but the Rangers had their nine-game streak of holding opponents under three goals broken.dddddddddddd "Even though theyve been struggling a little bit lately, its still a tough game to play," Lundqvist said. "The second goal for us when we tied it up was a big, big goal, going out and getting that confidence, knowing that we can do this." Aleksander Barkov had the other goal for the Panthers. Thomas, in his second straight start after returning from injury, stopped 25 shots. He also took a roughing penalty when he punched Miller in the head after Miller crashed into him. He said the hit wasnt dirty, but probably crossed a line. "I was just frustrated because I really wanted to help us to win and turn that corner," Thomas said. "I wanted to be able to be that difference to help us to break out of this." Much of the second period was played at a chaotic pace with chances missed at both ends. Campbell notched his 400th NHL point on his first with the help of a fortunate bounce. Campbell took a pass at the left point and fired a drive that struck the left post, caromed off Lundqvists backside, and went in with 9:01 left in the second. "Were doing so many good things, saying the right things. I believe guys have bought in," Thomas said. They want to turn this corner so bad, it just hasnt happened yet. Its going to, we just have to stick with it. "Its kind of equal right now in the luck category. If we keep working hard, the bounces will all go our way in one game." The Rangers tied it 2-2 when Dorsett pushed the puck into Thomas at the left post, and then put in the rebound with 6:02 remaining in the second for his second of the season. "I dont think we played that well," Zuccarello said. "At the same time we pushed the pace a little bit extra when they went up 2-1." New York grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first after forcing a turnover in the neutral zone. Defenceman Ryan McDonagh took a pass from Miller and handed it off to Chris Kreider, who quickly found Miller alone on the left side for a shot into the open net at 9:49. Thomas played well, allowing Florida to get even in the closing seconds of the first with a rare power-play goal. Two shots in close were stopped by Lundqvist, but the second by Kris Versteeg rebounded over to the 18-year-old Barkov, who scored inside the right post with 26.1 seconds left in the first. Barkov, the No. 2 pick in this years draft, has four goals in his first 18 NHL games. NOTES: Barkovs power-play goal was just the sixth for the Panthers this season in their first 61 chances, the worst percentage in the 30-team NHL. ... Florida C Scott Gomez missed his second straight game and third in four because of a groin injury. ' ' '