CFL East final a great showcase for Canadians, eh?

The CFL East Division final turned into a showcase for the league, but also for Canadian talent.

While import quarterbacks Henry Burris and Ricky Ray dominated proceedings, as quarterbacks are wont to do, it was a quartet for Canadian receivers who stole the rest of the offensive thunder.

There was Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver Andy Fantuz, a high-priced free agent acquired two seasons ago who hadn't always lived up to the hype since arriving in Hamilton, leading the way with 11 receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Every time Burris needed a key play, he turned to the Chatham, Ont. native, who found the soft spots in the Toronto Argonauts defence.

"I have the privilege of coaching him for a second time," said Hamilton head coach Kent Austin, who was with him in Saskatchewan in 2007. "He's a great receiver for a lot of reasons because he has a lot of great qualities."

Probably the biggest of those is a sure set of hands. He outjumped Toronto defensive back Jamie Robinson to make a spectacular catch for the Ticats first touchdown of the game and grabbed everything that Burris directed his way.

Fantuz had a solid, though injury-shortened, season with 896 yards receiving. But the 114 he got on Sunday will definitely overshadow anything he did in the first 18 games.

Oft-overlooked Samuel Giguere was also a key contributor, hauling in three passes for 76 yards. The most important of those set up Fantuz's first touchdown and came when Burris found Giguere wide open down the sideline for a 49-yard gain. Had Giguere not had to wait for the pass he might have gone all the way for a TD.

The Argos biggest offensive threats were also Canadians. Slotback Andre Durie caught three passes for 115 yards and was denied a touchdown by inches after a spectacular 59-yard pass-and-run play in the second quarter. Considering that he led the CFL in yards after receptions this season, none of that should have come as a surprise.

The only downside to Durie's day was a fumble on the opening kickoff that led to a Hamilton field goal.

Then there was wide receiver Spencer Watt, who caught three passes for 50 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also contributed significantly on special teams.

Other Canadians also made key contributions. Luca Congi was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals. Defensive tackle Brian Bulcke had four tackles and defensive back Marc Beswick recovered a Chad Owens fumble for a touchdown on the game's final play.