NBL Canada Playoffs Review - Halifax Hurricanes vs Island Storm
Atlantic Division top seeds the Halifax Hurricanes had their sights sets on the ultimate prize as they entered this year's playoffs. They faced uncertain competition in the Island Storm, who had an up-and-down season but proved their place in the post-season with a head-turning late run. Both teams have seen playoff success in the past, would that experience count for either as the two teams began their latest push for glory?
The Storm led the Hurricanes by double digits for almost all of game one's first half, and after a weak attempt by Halifax to get themselves back into it, the Storm went rampant in the second half, leading by as much as 24. The Storm’s starters all scored in double figures and had a combined 46 total rebounds as they dominated proceedings. Antoine Mason was getting it all done for Halifax in an uncharacteristically poor game on offence for them. Though they did well on defence and Mike Poole put up 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. They closed the gap to two with under two minutes left, but that hardly seemed to stir the Storm, who stayed the course and took game one with a 108-102 win.
In game two, a good show early on from Franklin Session put the Storm up by three, though they couldn’t break away from the Hurricanes. The starters for both teams got the most done in the game, they were both evenly matched on offence while Halifax created a slight edge for themselves with their superior defence. Billy White gave Halifax the lead just after half time, and from then on it was their game. With a big contribution from Tyrone Watson and a game-high 26 points from Antoine Mason, Halifax came back from a bad start to tie the series with a 107-85 win in game two.
The teams jostled for the lead throughout the first half in game three. The Island Storm let an early six-point lead slip, though Brad States made shots to keep them in contention. Three points separated the teams throughout the second quarter, then in the third both Cliff Clinkscales and Antoine Mason scored eight points in a row to give the Hurricanes a more comfortable double-digit lead. Kemy Osse did all he could to try and halt the Hurricanes, as did the Storm’s top scorer Chris Johnson, who had 21 points. Halifax were rampant on offence at the end, with top scorer Tyrone Watson on fire from close range on his way to 28 points in the game. Halifax take the lead in the series with a conclusive 110-96 win.
Tyrone Watson (in the air) in game four. Image: halifaxhurricanes.ca
Antoine Mason and Tyrone Watson got Halifax off to a good start in game four, helping them keep the lead despite numerous attempts by the Storm to take it from them. A great offensive effort from the Hurricanes bench - including 13 points from Mike Poole - saw them go ahead by twenty points just before half time. The Storm attempted to fight back in the second half with a concentrated effort from the field, with Chris Johnson and Kemy Osse contributing the most.
With Halifax staying the course and playing tough defence, they maintained their comfortable lead to the end. With an amazing performance from Tyrone Watson - 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists - Halifax advance to the Atlantic Division finals with a 120-103 victory in game four.
There will be more from us on the NBLC Playoffs as the results come in, while all the latest news and updates can be found on the official NBLC website.
