The Edmonton Stingers had Tuesday’s season opener circled on the calendar a few months ago, determined and motivated to knock off a provincial rival that gave them nothing but headaches last year.
In front of a record Canadian Elite Basketball League crowd of 12,327 at Scotiabank Saddledome, the visiting Stingers dunked the Calgary Surge 97-79 to launch their redemption tour in style.
The Alberta squads squared off five times in 2023, and it was the Surge who dominated. Calgary won three out of four regular-season games before bouncing Edmonton out of the playoffs in the Western Conference semifinal.
Davion Warren led the Stingers with 17 points and five rebounds. Adika Peter-McNeilly and Ben Krikke each chipped in with 15 points.
Justin Lewis led the Surge with 16 points and rebounds, while Sean Miller-Moore had 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Stingers led 49-36 at the half.