NBL Canada Inaugural Season Ends, Championship Playoffs Begin Tuesday

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The National Basketball League of Canada’s inaugural regular  season wrapped-up yesterday with the London Lightning hosting the Summerside Storm and the Saint John Mill Rats hosting the Halifax Rainmen. 

“Speaking on behalf of the entire NBL Canada family, I’m extremely pleased with the success we’ve had over the course of the regular season. Everyone of our Teams had an excellent first year, playing an entertainingly high-level of quality basketball, in a fan-friendly community environment,” said John Kennedy, NBL Canada Commissioner. 

First year expansion team, the Summerside Storm, has been an excellent model of the positive outcome an NBL Canada franchise can have on a community. Throughout the inaugural season, the Storm raised more than $20,000 for local non-profit organizations and charities. 

“We had a fantastic first year in the National Basketball League of Canada. We averaged over 2,700 fans a game, had some great moments on the court, and saw tremendous support and passion from our community,” said Duncan Shaw, Co-Owner of the Summerside franchise. 

We have some big plans for next year, including improving the team on the court with the goal of making playoffs, as well as providing even better entertainment to our fans. We can’t wait for next season to start.” 

Average attendance for the League surpassed expectations in many of the markets, with Halifax leading attendance with an average 3,274 fans. London and Summerside also brought in over 3,000 fans for many of their home games. 

At the end of what proved to be a very competitive season, the Lightning (28-8), Rainmen (23-13), Kebs (22-14) and Mill Rats (17-19) have all clinched spots in the inaugural championship playoffs. 

The #1-seeded Lightning will compete in round one against the #4-seeded Mill Rats in a best of three competition beginning Tuesday, March 6 at 7PM AST in Saint John. The #2-seeded Rainmen and #3-seeded Kebs will also compete in the semi-final round with the Kebs hosting the first game on Sunday March 11 at 1 PM EST. 

The winners of the #1- #4 series and the #2- #3 series will face each other in a best-of-five final series, with the winner being named NBL Canada Champions.