Warriors play halftime at Black Bears game
The Kanehsatake Warriors play at the Canadian Tire Centre during the Ottawa Black Bears vs. Halifax Thunderbirds game on Friday, January 9. Courtesy André Ringuette Freestyle Photography OSHC
On the floor of Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre, Warriors player Tehoronhiathe Martin Larente, Jr., felt the thrill of scoring on the big stage, an experience usually reserved for professional athletes.
“I wasn’t expecting to score,” said the 15-year-old. “For me, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s the freaking best feeling ever.’”
Last Friday, Kanehsatake Warriors athletes played a short scrimmage during halftime at the Creator’s Game Night in Ottawa. It marks the second time the Warriors scrimmaged at a National Lacrosse League (NLL) Ottawa Black Bears game.
Tehoronhiathe Martin Larente, Jr., at the entrance hallway of Ratihén:te High School on January 14, 2026. Hadassah Alencar The Pines Reporter
Playing in a large stadium was a first for Larente, who joined the Warriors last year.
“It was fun being able to be in front of a bunch of people,” said Larente.
The Warriors specifically requested to participate at the Creator’s Game Night “to honour not only their roots but the roots of the game,” wrote Jocelyn Loustel, account manager for the Ottawa Black Bears, in a statement.
“The kids were VERY excited as well as the coaches to be able to be on the turf to play the game that they all loved, being even more special with it being on the Creator’s Game Night,” wrote Loustel.
Courtesy André Ringuette Freestyle Photography OSHC
After the game, a Travis Gabriel lacrosse stick was given out as one of the three stars giveaway, wrote Loustel. Ottawa Black Bears player Reilly O’Connor tossed the stick at the end of the match, where the Ottawa Black Bears lost 13-11 to the Halifax Thunderbirds.
Al Harrington, father of Warrior’s player Sage Harrington, watched the game from his seat in the stands. The crowd gave a warm welcome to the Warriors as they made their way to the field, said Harrington.
A Travis Gabriel small lacrosse stick. Courtesy Will Birmingham Ottawa Black Bears
Seeing his daughter play at the scrimmage in an arena nearly as big as Montreal’s Bell Centre was heartwarming.
“It was amazing just to see my daughter out there and the rest of the kids there,” said Harrington.
“I’m just super excited that she was able to have an opportunity like that.”
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His daughter has played lacrosse since she was a toddler, and he hopes she will continue to stick with it.
“As a parent, to see your kid out there,” said Harrington, “I see the future.”
