TORONTO - If the Toronto Argonauts want to finish first in the East Division, head coach Scott Milanovich says the club must beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night.

Toronto (5-8) hosts Hamilton (6-7) at Rogers Centre in a key conference showdown, given the Ticats won the first meeting of the season 13-12 on Sept. 1 at Tim Hortons Field.

A win Friday would not only move Toronto into a first-place tie with Hamilton but also even the season series 1-1 with the two teams scheduled to meet again Oct. 25 at Rogers Centre.

With a victory, Hamilton would clinch the season series and move four points ahead of Toronto with both teams having four regular-season games to play.