CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) has dropped a round of playoffs after two teams in Atlantic Canada decided not to play this season.
The top two teams in Atlantic Canada will play a best-of-five semifinal while the top two Ontario-based squads will also play a best-of-five series for a berth in the best-of-seven final. There are four teams in Atlantic Canada and four in Ontario.
“We pride ourselves as a league on our ability to make changes for the benefit of our fans and we believe that restructuring our playoff format will increase the level of competition and interest while creating a whole new element of excitement,” deputy commissioner Audley Stephenson said in a statement.
The league is slated to begin on Dec. 26 with the defending champion Moncton Magic visiting the Eastlink Centre to play the Island Storm. Teams will play a 36-game regular season with the postseason beginning in late April. The Storm is hoping to begin training camp in December.
The Saint John Riptide and Cape Breton Highlanders have each taken a one-year leave of absence.
