Two teams clinch Canadian Football League playoff spots

The Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes clinch playoff spots tonight even before taking to the field in Week 18. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Ottawa Renegades 40-32 at Ivor Wynne Stadium this evening, allowing the teams' East Division rivals to slide into the 2005 playoffs.
With the loss, Ottawa is unable to catch the Argos or the Als in the East standings, however, the team can still make the playoffs if they finish tied or ahead of the fourth place team in the West Division.
For the Alouettes, this is the ninth-straight year they have qualified for the post-season and will mark the 18th playoff season for head coach Don Matthews when they take the field on either November 13 for the Scotiabank East Semifinal game or November 20th for the Scotiabank East Championship. Matthews' 18 seasons of playoffs will set a new CFL record for most all-time playoff seasons as a head coach. He is currently tied with legendary Frank Clair at 17.
Toronto will enter post-season play for the fourth-straight season. The Argos will be looking to finish top in the East for the first time since 1997. Tomorrow's Toronto versus Montreal game carries heavy playoff implications, as the winner will take the season series and the tiebreaker should these two teams finish tied in the standings.