Over a month into their season, the Calgary Surge have officially won their first game, with help from the familiar face of a previous foe.

The Calgary Surge defeated the Brampton Honey Badgers 102-99 to earn their first win, exiting their previous 10-game losing streak. 

Armani Chaney, who won twice against Calgary this week before being released by the Winnipeg Sea Bears, won Wednesday’s game for the Surge with a three-point-shot.

The guard said that this week has been unlike any other.

“Yesterday, I was going home and obviously I got a call. I was going to fly to Calgary, then I missed my flight to Calgary, and I had to pay for my own flight to Calgary, so, yeah, there was a lot going on,” he said post-game.

“Through the grace of God, obviously believing in myself and thanking Him for believing in me, we made it through.”

The Surge took to the court Wednesday night in special jerseys with the likeness of Star Wars villain Darth Maul, for their Star Wars night. 

The Surge and Honey Badgers exchanged fouls to open the game. Ultimately, Surge guard Damion Baugh potted a three-pointer to open the scoring. 

The Honey Badgers and the Surge traded buckets throughout most of the opening frame, with Calgary coming out on top 25-22.

Keeping pace with the first, Calgary took a 45-44 lead into halftime. Sean “Rugzy” Miller-Moore led Calgary with 11 points, while Landers Nolley II and Tyrese Hunter each had 10 points to lead Brampton at the half.

Entering the fourth quarter up 79-71, the Surge nearly maintained their lead into target time, where they led 91-84 heading in.

Brampton quickly cut the lead to one with a 6-0 run, before a pair of clutch free throws from another new addition, this time Marlon Johnson, put the Surge back up by three.

Again, the two squads traded baskets. Up 99-96 and only needing one point to win, Calgary’s Javonte Brown was fouled and went to the line needing to make one-of-two free throws to secure a win.

After Brown missed both attempts, Brampton’s Cameron Tyson tied the game at 99 all with a three-point-shot.

Easing the stress of all team staff, players and fans in the Winsport Event Centre, Chaney nailed a three-pointer of his own to secure a Surge victory.

Chaney, who is midway through his first year in the CEBL, called target time interesting.

“It’s just different. I would say tonight (our thought process) was just mainly recognizing that we’re not getting great possessions and trying to insert myself to be aggressive, whether score or pass,” he said.

“The shots fell today, I could have still hung my head after I missed that last one and they came down and hit a three, but I didn’t, I stayed poised. I got to be a leader for everybody and I’m probably one of the oldest people here on this team, so I got to make sure that I’m setting that standard.”

Soon-to-be familiar faces: New Surge lead team to victory

Along with Chaney and Johnson, who combined for 28 points in the win, guard and Calgary-native Mathieu Kamba made his season debut with the Surge Wednesday night.

Kamba, who last played with the Surge in 2024, finished the game with three points on one shot. Post-game, Kamba said he felt good to be back, but tendonitis kept him from playing more minutes.

Having watched Sunday night’s loss from the bench, the biggest difference on Wednesday was togetherness, Kamba said 

“I just wanted to bring my leadership, communicate with the guys and just try to change the vibe,” he said.

“It’s been a lot of my time, my shine, and today we played like a complete team, that was the biggest difference. The fans noticed that too.”

Bigger than his impact on court was his goal to change the existing dynamic in the Surge’s locker room, Kamba said.

“Today we did that, so hopefully we can keep it going,” he said.

American Evan Gilyard II, who was among Calgary’s leading scorers this season and holds the franchise record for points in a single game, with 37, was placed on the team’s reserve roster ahead of Wednesday’s game.

Team sources told LWC that he is expected to return at some point this season.

Surge interim head coach David Deaveiro said that the new additions were a big boost to his team.

“Sometimes you get fortunate where another team has all these riches and you get a guy like Armani that falls into your lap, it was a big part of our success today,” he said.

Overall, the coach was relieved, but mostly happy for his players.

“Our record doesn’t reflect who we are and our character, so to get a good win like that, especially at home, is really important,” he said.

Saturday night, the Surge will play the Montreal Alliance at a neutral-site game in Lethbridge. Deaveiro said that a win there would be another huge boost.

“We’ve got a tough game Saturday that’s basically on the road. We need our people in Lethbridge to support us when we get there. We’ll treat it like it’s a home game,” he said.