Video: Rob Maver’s fake punt proved vital for the Stampeders Friday against Hamilton

The Calgary Stampeders' 26-22 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Friday night wasn't always a pretty one, but it did feature some impressive plays. Perhaps the one that stood out the most was Rob Maver's fake punt midway through the third quarter. Maver's done this before this season, but the Ticats still clearly weren't ready for it. Here's what happened:

That was a spectacular play from the Stampeders' special teams, with Maver faking the punt and throwing a solid pass to a wide-open Matt Walter. Walter hauled in the pass and picked up 31 yards, giving Calgary a fresh set of downs and keeping the drive alive. It proved to be a significant moment in the larger context of the game, too: Hamilton led 22-13 at this point, but the Stampeders drove down the field and pulled within a touchdown after Rene Paredes hit a 43-yard field goal. Calgary was able to build off that momentum and keep pressing into the fourth quarter with Paredes hitting another field goal from 24 yards and putting them within three, and then when Luca Congi's field-goal attempt clanked off the upright, Bo Levi Mitchell was able to maneuver the Stampeders' offence down the field for what would prove to be the winning touchdown.

It was a great night for Maver on the whole, as he also executed a perfect punt that pinned the Ticats inside their one and averaged 48.8 yards per punt on five attempts. The Calgary special teams also excelled overall, with Larry Taylor collecting 108 yards on six punt returns and Walter adding 88 yards on four kick returns. Still, Maver's fake punt was the biggest special-teams moment of the night, and it proved to be a crucial momentum-swinging moment. Other teams might want to watch this one a few times to make sure he can't do it yet again...