Minor Lacrosse featured at pro game
Courtesy Lucas DIabo
It was fan appreciation night for the National Lacrosse League (NLL)’s Ottawa Black Bears last Friday, and a contingent of fans from Kahnawake certainly did appreciate the game.
That’s because two teams of U13, U15, and U17 players from the Kahnawake Minor Lacrosse Association (KMLA) were able to take the floor for a scrimmage game during halftime of Ottawa’s game against the Toronto Rock.
“It was a cool experience, and I’d definitely do it again,” said Henry Lazare, one of the players who took part in the scrimmage game.
Even being a scrimmage, the players still played with intensity, stick checking, defending rushes, hitting, and going for goals up and down the floor.
For Lazare, stepping onto a professional lacrosse floor in a professional arena was a special experience.
“I was a bit nervous at first but once I stepped on to the floor, I was excited to play on the Ottawa Black Bears’ floor!” said Lazare.
Both teams were made up of a mix of players from the three age groups and featured boys and girls laxers from the association.
It is not the first time the Black Bears have collaborated with Kahnawake. Last year, U11 players from the association were also invited to play in a halftime scrimmage. The Kanehsatake Warriors were also invited to participate in similar scrimmages earlier this year and last season.
Later, Lazare and his family went to the pro shop, where they had a chance to meet Black Bears player Larson Sundown.
“It was a shock at first, but he definitely is a cool guy who was very nice and friendly to talk to,” said Lazare.
Sundown, a member of the Seneca Nation, had just recently visited Kahnawake Survival School on March 29 for a day focused on his journey to lacrosse and what the Medicine Game means to him.
With the Black Bears continuing to make efforts to reach out to lacrosse associations close to them, particularly those in Indigenous communities, it won’t be the last time they’ll be collaborating with Kahnawake and its minor lacrosse program.
Sign up for email updates from The Eastern Door
Unfortunately for the local fans, the Black Bears did not deliver a win on fan appreciation night, as the Rock took the game 10-6. Ottawa’s last game of the regular season will be tomorrow (Saturday) against the Halifax Thunderbirds, with both teams fighting for a playoff spot - the winner of the game will be the one to lock themselves into the postseason.
