Who was that masked man?

Carl English of Edge starts first playoff game against Lightning wearing a faceguard, but soon tosses it aside

For a short while Tuesday night in London. Ont., there were two National Basketball League of Canada most valuable players wearing masks in the same game.

The London Lightning’s Royce White, the league’s MVP in 2016-17, has been wearing a protective mask for most of the season, but as the Lightning opened up their Central Division semifinal against the St. John’s Edge, White was not alone.

St. John’s guard Carl English, who was named the NBL Canada MVP this season, also started the game with a faceguard to provide protection to a nose that was injured by an accidental elbow in practice earlier this week.

English, who finished second to White in scoring during the regular season, had missed a number of games earlier this season after suffering a nose fracture. However, English’s use of the mask only lasted half a quarter Tuesday night. About six minutes into the game, and after missing his first three shots, he removed the protection.

Soon afterwards, English was on the bench and didn’t play much of the remainder of the opening frame. However, he made his first three shots from the field in the second quarter — all on layups — after a couple of successful free throws.

The final result of Tuesday’s game was unavailable at The Telegram’s press deadline, but can be found at thetelegram. com.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday night in London, with Games 3, 4, and 5 — the latter if necessary — at Mile One Centre on Saturday, Monday and next Thursday, respectively.

Games 6 and 7 — if the series gets that far — would be in London.

ST. JOHN’S EDGE PHOTO/JEFF PARSONS Carl English began Tuesday’s game against Garrett Williamson and the London Lightning wearing a facemask, but was soon back to looking like his old self.