Calgary Surge heads to championship game after toppling Vancouver
Surge edged out Vancouver Bandits in Western Conference Friday
The Calgary Surge will be competing for the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship Sunday.
This comes after the team outlasted the Vancouver Bandits 77-75 in the Western Conference final Friday at Langley Events Centre in B.C.
It's the inaugural season for the Canadian Elite Basketball team, which spent the first four years of its existence as the Guelph Nighthawks before it relocated to Alberta.
Hilary Fontus, Calgary Surge communications manager, said Calgary has welcomed the team in its first year with open arms.
"We've had a fan base that's been behind us from day one at Winsport Event Centre and it's been super meaningful and amazing to see the community rally behind us as a new team," she said.
"I think being here and being in a championship weekend in our first year of existence is a really big deal and it's really big for the city of Calgary, and we're happy that we're able to do that."
On Friday Stef Smith sunk a three to lift the Surge to the win over the Bandits in their home arena.
Smith, Calgary Surge point guard, said the match Friday wasn't easy but ultimately the team "stayed the course and came out with the win."
He said he's felt the support from the city.
What a game. 😈<br><br>See you Sunday.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HomeTeam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HomeTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/1Ltsc7WPMA">pic.twitter.com/1Ltsc7WPMA</a>
—@CalgarySurge"The city of Calgary … we had amazing fans all year round and in the first season, so it's definitely a big feat to be able to get to the finals in the first year. Definitely all of us are pretty excited," he said.
"But now we just have to take care of one more game."
The Surge will take on the Scarborough Shooting Stars Sunday in the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship.
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With files from the Canadian Press, CBC Sports