The Canadian Elite Basketball League has decided to revert back to a single-game championship format after a quick halt and subsequent cancellation of the best-of-three final between the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Brampton Honey Badgers. The game was called off due to unsafe playing conditions caused by condensation on the court. As a result, a one-game final will now take place in Winnipeg on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, marking a return to the format used in previous years.
Brampton initially took a 6-0 lead in the final, but the game was stopped with 8:14 remaining in the first quarter after a slip by Sea Bears’ Xavier Moon. The decision to switch to a single-game championship was made to ensure fairness and practicality in crowning a champion, as the best-of-three series couldn’t be completed within the scheduled timeframe.
Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley expressed regret over the game’s cancellation, emphasizing the importance of player safety. Brampton had previously won two games against Winnipeg this season, setting the stage for an intense final showdown. Sea Bears and Honey Badgers are both aiming for their first championship in the league.
Sea Bears’ impressive playoff run, including victories over strong teams like Saskatoon Mamba and Vancouver Bandits, has propelled them to the brink of their inaugural title. Meanwhile, Honey Badgers secured their spot in the final by defeating Ottawa BlackJacks and Niagara River Lions in the East playoffs. The championship game will also showcase a unique off-court storyline, with the two competing teams being owned by siblings, David Asper overseeing Sea Bears and Leonard Asper leading Honey Badgers.