Ottawa SkyHawks basketball debuts with close loss

The Ottawa SkyHawks played their inaugural game at the Canadian Tire Centre Saturday night as basketball officially hits the capital.

The SkyHawks, who practised on their new home court Saturday, play in the National Basketball League, which also features Ontario teams from Windsor, London and Oshawa, plus teams from Montreal, Moncton, N.B., Saint John, N.B., Halifax and Summerside, P.E.I.

The SkyHawks is the first professional basketball team based in Canadas capital.

Thehome opener saw the team fall 113-105against the Windsor Express, the firstof 20 home games this season for Ottawa.

3rd level curtained off

Staff said they curtainedoff the third level of seats, which is normal for basketball events in the arena, leaving8,200 available seats.

Bytown Sports and Entertainment Inc., owns the SkyHawks, whichwere originally named the Tomahawks in late February.

But public backlash, including a denouncement from Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, led to management canning the name one day later.

They announced the SkyHawks name in April.

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