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Three Hamilton linebackers – all of them former B.C. Lions – were instrumental in turning the Tiger-Cats around in 2009.

Yesterday, one of those linebackers sent B.C. to the CFL playoffs.

Markeith Knowlton's 35-yard interception return for a touchdown with less than seven minutes remaining sealed a 39-17 Hamilton victory over the Blue Bombers at Winnipeg's Canad Inns Stadium. The result clinched a crossover playoff berth for the 8-10 Lions, and gave the 9-9 Tabbies home-field advantage for Sunday's East Division semi-final against B.C.

“We were fighting for ourselves,” Knowlton said, “but if it helps them, then so be it.”

The Lions had been reduced to spectators after an embarrassing 45-13 home loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday. A Winnipeg win yesterday would have snapped B.C.'s streak of 12 consecutive years in the playoffs.

Instead, the Leos limp into the dance losers of three in a row, but with better quarterback health than what was feared after both Casey Printers and Buck Pierce left the Edmonton game with injuries.

General manager and head coach Wally Buono said that Printers has been X-rayed and cleared to practise tomorrow.

Printers injured his right (throwing) thumb. Travis Lulay, who missed Friday's game with the flu, is likely to be No. 2 to Printers.

Pierce, who reinjured his right (throwing) shoulder, may not be ready tomorrow but could participate at practice later this week. Zac Champion, who finished the Edmonton game and became B.C.'s fifth quarterback in 2009, would be the emergency pivot should Pierce not be ready.

No crossover playoff team has ever advanced to the Grey Cup game, so history is against the Lions at Ivor Wynne Stadium next weekend. The 15-3 Montreal Alouettes await the winner in the East Division final.

“We got into the playoffs, and if it's ugly, it's ugly,” said defensive end Brent Johnson, a nine-year veteran and the longest-serving Lion. “I've gotten into the playoffs beautifully before, and we've gotten our ass kicked in the western final.”

The irony of B.C.'s back-door route is that it was authored by a number of former Lions. Bob O'Billovich was Buono's chief personnel man until December of 2007 when he accepted the general manager position in Hamilton, and he has raided B.C.'s discarded talent in building the team.

Five defensive players in Hamilton's lineup yesterday came from the Lions, including three starting linebackers. The Ticats led Winnipeg 17-16 at the half, but allowed just one point in the final 30 minutes and turned the game into a rout with two interception returns for touchdowns.

“We owe Hamilton a debt of gratitude, and now we can clean the slate,” Buono said. “Honestly, there is a ton of relief. To have ended on Friday would have been a very bitter ending to a very difficult season.”

Knowlton, middle man Otis Floyd and outside linebacker Jamall Johnson were big reasons why Hamilton beat B.C. twice this season, and those losses put the Lions in a precarious playoff position heading down the stretch. Floyd, 33, clinched a Week 2 victory at B.C. Place Stadium with a late interception return for a touchdown, while Johnson was named CFL defensive player of the week for a 10-tackle performance in Week 5 against the Lions.

Floyd was cut by Buono last winter, and Johnson chose to spurn B.C. and sign with Hamilton – where a starting job was available – after auditioning for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers last spring. Knowlton, voted Hamilton's most outstanding defensive player this season, was traded to the Ticats at the June 2008 draft in exchange for a second-round pick.

“It is odd that after they let us go, they had to rely on us to get in the playoffs,” Floyd said. “But that's the way things go, and I can't wait to play them. There's going to be a lot of intensity and probably a lot of emotions going on.”

CFL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Sunday

East Division Semi-final: B.C. at Hamilton, 1 p.m.

Bye: Montreal

West DivisionSemi-final: Edmonton at Calgary, 4:30 p.m.

Bye: Saskatchewan

Sunday, Nov. 22

East DivisionFinal: B.C./Hamilton winner at Montreal, 1 p.m.

West DivisionFinal: Edmonton/Calgary winner at Saskatchewan, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 29

Grey Cup: East v. West champions, 6:30 p.m. in Calgary.(All times Eastern)