The Montréal Alliance will make history on Wednesday night when they step inside the Scotiabank Saddledome to face the Calgary Surge in the CEBL’s first-ever Stampede Game. The 19,289-seat arena that serves as home to the Calgary Flames will host professional basketball for the first time, creating a unique atmosphere during one of Canada’s most celebrated festivals.

This matchup carries significant playoff implications for both teams. The Alliance (6-7) currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference but remain just one game behind second-place Scarborough (7-7), with the tightly-packed standings meaning every game could dramatically shift postseason positioning. Calgary (9-5) has emerged as one of the season’s surprise stories, currently holding second place in the Western Conference under first-year head coach Kaleb Canales.

Montréal’s season has been defined by dramatic swings. After opening with four consecutive victories, the Alliance endured a brutal four-game losing streak before stabilizing with a 2-3 record over their last five games. Head coach Jermaine Small has described the campaign as a “roller-coaster,” and that assessment proved accurate again Sunday when the team fell 77-73 to defending champion Niagara in a game that showcased both their potential and their continued inconsistency.

The Alliance will enter Calgary with a significantly altered roster. Leading scorer Tavian Dunn-Martin (18.5 points, 6.8 assists) is expected to return after missing the last two games with an injury, providing a crucial boost to an offense that has struggled without its primary facilitator. However, the team will be without second-leading scorer Quincy Guerrier (17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds), who has departed for NBA Summer League action with the Toronto Raptors.

To address these roster changes, Montréal has made several moves. The team signed forward Shamiel Stevenson, who brings valuable CEBL experience after averaging 15.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19 games with Brampton last season. Most recently, Stevenson played professionally in Slovakia with Inter Bratislava, where he posted 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. The Alliance also promoted two Montréal natives from their practice squad: 6’10” forward Nate Tshimanga, who recently completed his collegiate career at New Mexico State, and guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno, who returns from a season in Croatia.

With Guerrier unavailable, American forward Brandon Porter becomes even more important to Montréal’s success. Porter has provided steady production with 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and his experience will be valuable in the hostile environment of the Saddledome during Stampede.

Calgary has built their success on suffocating defense. The Surge lead the league with 10.1 steals per game while ranking second in rebounds (41.4) and blocks (4.8). This defensive prowess has allowed them to control games and create offensive opportunities in transition. Kaleb Canales, the former Portland Trail Blazers assistant, has quickly implemented his system and adapted well to the CEBL’s unique format, including Target Score Time.

Offensively, Greg Brown III has been Calgary’s most consistent weapon, averaging 20.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Sean Miller-Moore provides secondary scoring with 18.4 points per game, though the Surge will be without Jameer Nelson Jr., who departed for NBA Summer League after averaging 18.9 points. This absence creates an opportunity for other players to step up, but it also removes a key offensive threat that opposing defenses must account for.

The tactical matchup presents an intriguing contrast in styles. Montréal leads the CEBL in assists per game and three-point attempts, relying on ball movement and spacing to create scoring opportunities. Their offensive thrives on quick decision-making and unselfish play, qualities that have helped them remain competitive despite roster limitations. Calgary’s defense, however, specializes in disrupting these types of systems through pressure and forced turnovers.

For the Alliance, this game represents an opportunity to improve their playoff seeding. Currently fourth in the East, they’re within striking distance of moving up to third or even second place with the right combination of results. A victory in such a unique setting could provide momentum while also improving their position for the playoff format, where higher seeds enjoy significant advantages.

Calgary enters looking to bounce back from a loss to provincial rival Edmonton while maintaining their strong position in the Western Conference standings. The Surge have proven they belong among the league’s elite teams, but games like this will determine whether they can sustain that level throughout a playoff push.

The Alliance return home to face the Vancouver Bandits at Verdun Auditorium on Sunday, July 13 at 4:00 PM, but first they must navigate the unique challenges that await them in the Saddledome. In a season that has already provided plenty of drama, this historic game could serve as a pivotal moment in determining Montréal’s playoff seeding and momentum heading into the postseason.

Game Information

Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Time: 9:30 PM ET

Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary

Broadcast: TSN, RDS, CEBL+