Mafia Drop Home Opener
Sunday afternoon was a tough one for the Moose Jaw Mafia as they dumped their home opener 20 - 5 against the visiting Regina Heat in Prairie Gold Lacrosse League action.
The loss takes the Mafia to 0 - 2 in the season having lost their season opener to the same Heat team 14 - 6 one week ago.
The Mafia was hoping to get a split in the series but a short bench of 13 runners versus a full bench of 18 runners for the Heat run the home team down.
“It’s been a couple of tough games to say the least. It’s our first season we’re starting up right here. We’ve got a whole bunch of guys who haven’t played lacrosse before so we’re just happy to be growing the game,” player/coach Laine Denoncourt said.
Denoncourt said a major goal for the Mafia is to help grow the sport.
“What we’re trying to do is to establish that next level of playing for them after they age out of junior and give them somewhere to play.”
The junior ranks age limit is 22. The Mafia’s oldest player is 52 giving players the opportunity to play for decades after juniors eligibility.
“This gives them the opportunity to stay in the game. Keep that brotherhood and stay active,” he said.
The Mafia can call up players from the junior Moose Jaw Mustangs team but on Sunday chose not to do so.
Despite the Mafia working with a short bench and the Heat more rested Sunday afternoon’s game was high paced and aggressive.
Asked if the short bench hurt on Sunday he said it did.
“Yeah 110 percent it did. We’ve got guys that are family guys and coaching right now…it hurts our team. But the thing is the guys that show up we show up to play. We show up for the crowd,” Denoncourt said.
Despite the short bench Sunday’s game wasn’t rocking chair lacrosse by any stretch of the imagination.
On Sunday just over 100 fans showed up to watch.
Cost to attend games is $5 but game admission is free if you show up in a Mafia or any other jersey admission is free.
“For a Sunday afternoon for $5 you can’t see better action than this.”
The team has goals both in the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League and in local lacrosse circles.
“Our biggest thing is using what we have right now to establish minor camps and bringing out the younger kids into the floor with us,” he said, adding that”the team was working on fundraising opportunities and advertising to make it happen.
“We’re looking forward to spending more time on the court with them, bring their friends so we can grow the game.”
The team’s next game is Saturday May 23 at 6 pm at the Fort Qu’Appelle Arena versus the Standing Buffalo Fighting Sioux.
