Al Stewart, who left the team two weeks ago to take a full-time teaching job in his hometown of Chicago, has decided to spend his spring break on P.E.I., and will be back in a Storm uniform for Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinal series against the Windsor Express. Game time at Eastlink Arena is 2 p.m.
The spring break allows Stewart to return to the Storm for the first four games of the series. Storm co-owner Duncan Shaw announced in a pre-game ceremony honouring Stewart before his final game on March 16 that the team was leaving him on its active roster, making him eligible for the league’s all-star game in Saint John, N.B., in April.
Stewart has been the face of the Storm franchise over two seasons, and a team leader among the players.
The defensive player of the year last season, Stewart was having another fine year as he is third in the league in steals and fourth in assists. With Stewart back in the fold, the Storm is flush at the point-guard position with Josiah Turner playing really well, and newcomer Royce Parran registering the franchise’s second only triple-double in the last regular-season game. Stewart had the other triple-double.
The Storm also hosts Game 2 against the Express on Tuesday night, before the series shifts to Windsor for Games 3 and 4, if necessary, on Thursday and Saturday. If a fifth game is required, it will be back in Summerside on Tuesday, April 2.
Storm playoff tickets are on sale at the Credit Union Place box office, or by going online at www.stormbasketball.ca. Fans can also call (902)-432-1234.
