The Canadian Elite Basketball League has reverted to a single-game championship format. The decision was made swiftly on Wednesday night after the initial best-of-three final between the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Brampton Honey Badgers was called off due to unsafe court conditions caused by condensation. The league prioritizes the safety of players, officials, and fans above all.

Brampton took an early 6-0 lead in the halted game, only to see Winnipeg catch up. The match was stopped when Sea Bears’ Xavier Moon slipped on the court. The final game will now take place in Winnipeg on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast live on CBC platforms.

The change to a one-game final was deemed the fairest and most practical solution given the circumstances. This format mirrors the championship structure used in previous years. Brampton had already won two games against Winnipeg earlier in the season.

The Honey Badgers, former CEBL champions in 2022 when based in Hamilton, are now one win away from their first title in their current home of Winnipeg. The Sea Bears defied expectations by defeating strong opponents in the playoffs to reach this stage.

The upcoming final will not only showcase on-court talent but also a unique off-court storyline, with both teams owned by the Asper siblings. David Asper owns the Sea Bears, while Leonard Asper leads the Honey Badgers.