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Through the cold, wind and few patches of sun this week while the Alouettes practised, there was one thing that became conspicuous for anyone paying attention. Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo doesn’t wear gloves, making him somewhat unique.

Fajardo, a native of Brea, Calif., has a pouch he keeps behind his back that can be used as a hand warmer, but he’s one of the few pivots that likes the feel of the ball on his bare right throwing hand. He doesn’t even wear one on his left hand.

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Fajardo played at the University of Nevada, located in Reno, where residents experience all four seasons.

“Coming from southern California, I had to learn quickly how to throw in the wind, rain and snow,” Fajardo told the Montreal Gazette this week. “There are a couple of secrets I can’t share with you that help me get into tune.”

Fajardo tried wearing gloves early in his college career, but without success. He believes he plays better in cold weather without any hand protection.

“Sometimes with the gloves, (the ball is) super sticky,” he said. “It’s different. When I’m running or dropping back, feeling the laces and natural leather is what I’m used to. If there’s a layer between that contact, it throws the mechanism off a bit.”

Following a one-year playoff absence while with Saskatchewan in 2022, Fajardo will lead the Alouettes into Saturday afternoon’s East Division semifinal against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Molson Stadium (3 p.m., TSN1, TSN4, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). The forecast calls for partly sunny conditions with a high temperature of 10C.

This marks the third consecutive year, and second in Montreal, the teams meet in the semifinal. The Alouettes (11-7) finished second in the division and defeated the Ticats three times this season — four counting an exhibition game. Montreal is on a five-game winning streak. The Ticats were 8-10, but won five of their final nine games and were 5-2 on the road since July.

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Fajardo, in his eighth CFL season, has reached the West Division final twice as a starter. He understands this is the time of season when legacies are written.

“I do have playoff experience to draw upon,” said the 6-foot-2, 226-pound Fajardo, 31. “You don’t get many second chances in pro sports. To have a second chance here, I took it with a lot of gratitude. I wanted to prove to the league, my teammates and coaches I could be a starting quarterback in this league. I’m excited for this opportunity.

“We have to find a way to win this game at home.”

The Als’ offence struggled to score touchdowns this season as well as protecting Fajardo. This game, which figures to be close, could rest on the shoulders of Montreal’s defence, which scored nine touchdowns this season. James Letcher Jr., who returned a field goal and punt for scores in only four games, could also become a pivotal factor.

“I do understand we need to have a great game to win,” middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey said. “I’m confident Cody and our offence are going to do their thing. It’s (also) up to the defence to do our thing. I just know, if we have a good game, we will win. That’s all I can say about it.”

Tackle Almondo Sewell and rush-end Shawn Lemon, who was signed in late July as a free agent, are the only two Alouettes defenders who have won a Grey Cup and will be counted on, both on and off the field, for their veteran experience.

“We always put it on ourselves (defence), even though it’s still a team game,” Sewell said. “We want the ball. We want to score and cause turnovers. They win games. We always go into a game thinking we’re going to make the difference (although) we need the offence as much as they need us, too.”

Montreal will be without starting left guard Pier-Olivier Lestage. He’ll be replaced by Philippe Gagnon and Sean Jamieson, who makes his season debut following knee surgery.

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