Alberta baseball teams Edmonton Stingers and Calgary Surge square off once more to commence Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season, rekindling their regional rivalry.
Kick-off the 2025 CEBL Season with the Battle of Alberta
Warm up your basketball spirits as we dive into the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season opener! On May 11, the Edmonton EXPO Centre will witness the fiery clash between the Edmonton Stingers and the Calgary Surge - a rivalry that never fails to deliver an electrifying performance!
"It's definitely a heated rivalry," chimed in Stingers guard Nick Hornsby in a recent interview, hinting that the games between these two Alberta teams are anything but ordinary. The atmosphere is always charged, with dual torrents of fans from either side making for an unforgettable experience, according to Hornsby.
Last year, the Stingers missed the playoffs by a single game, finishing second to the Vancouver Bandits and a game ahead of Calgary. However, the Surge managed to outshine Edmonton in their quarterfinal matchup, winning 78-69 on August 4. Stingers head coach and general manager Jordan Baker hasn't forgotten that early exit, setting the stage for unfinished business.
"We've got a lot of unfinished business from last August that needs to be rectified," expressed Baker. "We're really excited to get going."
Unfortunately, the Surge didn't have much success post-quarterfinals either, falling to the Bandits in the semifinals and the Niagara River Lions securing the championship.But Baker remains undeterred, stating, "My hopes and expectations never change. I always love to win and be part of a good organization."
This season, the Winnipeg Sea Bears have already secured a playoff spot as hosts of the Championship Weekend happening August 22-24. The Western Conference's remaining playoff berth will be hotly contested, and both the Stingers and Surge will be looking to clinch it, with the opener against Calgary carrying great significance. As both teams only meet three times throughout the season, an edge obtained here could determine a home playoff game versus a road one.
Following the Battle of Alberta, both teams will travel to Niagara and Winnipeg, respectively. With 120 regular season games lined up leading to the playoffs starting August 14, excitement is building for an explosive 2025 CEBL season! Don't forget to catch all the action as Game+, the league's official broadcaster, covers at least one game each week, including this marquee event.
Let the games begin, and may the best team win!
The Canadian Press reported the details on May 10, 2025.
(Enrichment Insights Incorporated: Familiarizing the reader with the overall rivalry between Calgary Surge and Edmonton Stingers, outlining their previous matches, and referring to the CEBL season length and playoffs.)
During the 2025 CEBL season, the Edmonton Stingers, eyeing unfinished business, will travel to Toronto to face the Calgary Surge in a crucial business meeting away from their usual sports arena. Regardless of their respective performances in the postseason last year, both teams are determined to earn a spot for their upcoming basketball encounter, aiming for home advantage in the playoffs.
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