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HALIFAX, N.S. —

The Halifax Hurricanes' home opener ticked all the right boxes on Sunday.

They lit up the big crowd with some pre-game entertainment and a hot start, then created some drama by blowing a 21-point lead before rallying late for an entertaining 112-108 win over the St. John's Edge. And just for good measure it was local player Chris Johnson in his Hurricanes debut who capped the comeback with back-to-back clutch scoring plays in the dying minutes.

"Big moments is what we all live for so to be part of it felt great," said North Preston's Johnson. "But to get the win was the main thing. We got that so it makes everything else feel that much better."

The win was the Hurricanes' first of the National Basketball League of Canada season but it wasn't without its challenges, some of them caused by external factors and others self-inflicted.

Out of their control was a demanding schedule that saw them drive home late Saturday night after a season-opening 124-99 road loss to the Island Storm. But a lull in the third quarter that helped the Edge erase a terrific first half by the Hurricanes was the home team's own doing.

"We just came back out a little flat and that's typical when you're up at half time," said Ta'Quan Zimmerman, whose early three-pointers helped Halifax go up by 21 in the second quarter.

"We knew we were up double digits and we know now we should've come out tougher than we did. But that's part of the game. It's a game of runs and we fought back and recorded the two (points)."

After the Edge outscored the Hurricanes 40-21 in the third quarter to take their first lead of the game, the Hurricanes buckled down to turn it back around. They trailed by eight to start the fourth quarter and finally went back in front for good when Johnson hit a long two with 1:12 left to play to put them ahead by one. Johnson converted a three-point play on Halifax's previous possession to cut the Edge lead to one.

"You learn more in games when you're down," said Johnson, who finished with 21 points. "You find out who's resilient and who isn't. We're trying to find a camaraderie with each other so these kinds of fights are going to bring us together.

"It's a game of ups and downs. We're learning right now, so we came out playing well, then we had a drop-off. But it's about finishing and we were able to do that."

Johnson previously played in the NBLC for the Cape Breton Highlanders, Niagara River Lions and the Storm following his NCAA career at St. Bonaventure University and a few pro stints overseas. The cheers that filled the Scotiabank Centre after his two key scores were about as loud as any in Hurricanes history.

"I was always on the opposing side of these things, in the other locker room," he said. "I always had my family come to the games but to feel all the other fans cheering for you is a big boost. It's like sixth man.

"It feels good . You play with a different kind of passion when you're playing for your home crowd. I've got a lot of family and friends here so I just want to make it work. I love it."

Tremayne Johnson came off the bench to lead Halifax with 23 points and Antoine Mason scored 15 and grabbed 11 rebounds. Former Hurricanes fan favourite Tyrone Watson received a nice video tribute prior to the game before dropping 21 on his old club. Junir Cadougan added 20 for St. John's and Cane Broome had 13.

"It was a big crowd and a lot of energy in here. It was great," said Zimmerman, who had 13 points. "The atmopshere was great and hopefully we see these crowds out here all year long. We'll just try to get them as many W's as we can."

The Hurricanes' next game is on Tuesday at 4 p.m. on the road against the Moncton Magic.