Magic Announce Pre-Season Schedule
October 22, 2019 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Moncton Magic News Release
(Moncton, NB) Basketball fans in the greater Moncton area won't have to wait as long as some may have expected to see pro basketball action back at the Avenir Centre this winter. The Magic announced today their 2019 pre-season schedule, which will give fans an opportunity to see the defending NBL Champions three times here in Moncton,including an exhibition game against a United States based team leading up to their regular season home opener scheduled for December 27th.
The Magic, who will open training camp on November 14th will host their annual inter-squad game at Crandall University on November 19that 7pm. All 16 players who will be attending training camp will be active for the scrimmage, giving fans the first opportunity to see several players from last year's championship team, as well as all the new faces the team has signed this off-season. Tickets can be purchased at the door for this event, with all proceeds from the game going directly to Crandall University Athletics.
The team will open its pre-season play on November 22nd, on the road in Sudbury, Ontario, for the first of a home and home series with the 5. Head Coach and GM of Player Operations Joe Salerno says he is particularly excited about this matchup for a few different reasons.
"This is a great pre-season test for our guys. Logan (Stutz) does a great job in Sudbury, and I know he will have his guys ready to go. This is also the first opportunity to see how some of our new guys react under the bright lights, and in front of what I anticipate being a big crowd" commented Salerno.
It will be a quick turn around for the Magic as they will then head back to Moncton to host the Raleigh Firebirds, of the TBL (The Basketball League) on Sunday afternoon, November 24that the Avenir Centre. This will mark the first time a professional team from the United States will play at the Avenir Centre, as well as the first time in league history an NBL team will host a team from the United States in pre-season play. The Firebirds, who hail from Raleigh, North Carolina made the playoffs last season, which was the inaugural for the TBL. The Sunday afternoon matinee is set to tip at 2pm. More details regarding this game will be out soon.
The defending NBL Champs will be back at the Avenir Centre on December 7th, at 7pm when they host the Sudbury 5. This will be only the 2ndtime the 5 have made an appearance in Moncton and will complete the home and home pre-season series between the two teams.
The Magic will round out their pre-season schedule on December 15th with a 2019 NBL Canada Finals rematch, as they head to St. John's, Newfoundland for a battle with the Edge on the Rock.
"I am very pleased with the pre-season schedule we have been able to put together" commented Salerno. "It's not only great for our players, as we prepare for the regular season, but also being able to provide basketball for our fanbase in November and early December was definitely something that was high on our priority list."
Individual Pre-season game tickets will go on sale Saturday, November 9thboth online at www.ticketmaster.caas well as at the Avenir Centre Box office. See below for full pre-season schedule.
Moncton Magic 2019-2020 Pre-season schedule
Tuesday, November 19 Inter-squad Game 7pm Crandall University
Friday, November 22 Away @ Sudbury 5 7pm Sudbury Community Arena
Sunday, November 24 Home vs. Raleigh Firebirds 2pm Avenir Centre
Saturday, December 7 Home vs. Sudbury 5 7pm Avenir Centre
Sunday, December 15 Away @ St. John's Edge 2pm Mile One Centre
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