The Estevan Harris Oilfield Impact played their first two home games ever on the weekend, losing both to the Regina Heat.
The senior lacrosse club fell 21-11 to the Heat on Saturday night, and lost 16-8 on Sunday.
Saturday's game meant a little extra to the Impact and to the many Estevan Big Dogs players in attendance.
Former Big Dog Tyson Juhlke, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in December, was honoured prior to the game with a ceremony and a moment of silence. Juhlke would have been with the Impact this year and was the brother of current Big Dogs player Ryan Juhlke.
"That whole ceremony was awesome to pay respect to Tyson, because he would've been on our team. We did it for Tyson," said Impact coach Jody Harris.
"We've been coaching Tyson since he was in peewee. He was a big part of lacrosse and even at his funeral in December, I said to the team, there was nobody prouder than Tyson Juhlke to be a Big Dog. He wore that damn jacket and never took it off. He was the proudest kid to be a Big Dog. He may not have been the most skilled kid, but he was all heart.
"For me, it's tough because there's a lot of emotion attached but at the same time you're proud and it has to be a celebration."
Harris said that the Heat, knowing Tyson's jersey would be presented to his dad at the ceremony, after it was presented to his mom at his funeral, went out and got flowers to give to her.
They also hung their No. 15 jersey on their bench in honour of Tyson.
Once the game got underway, Rhett Handley, one of several affiliated players from the Big Dogs suiting up for the game, scored the first home goal ever for the Impact eight minutes in. The Heat led 7-3 after one.
Tanner Kittler scored four goals for the Impact, and Handley (2), Dylan Smith (2), Lucas Smyth, Kelsy Omland and Colin Fogarty also chipped in goals.
Kyle Bellegay (6), Stephen Watson (3), Landon Gryschuk (3), Jordan Magnuson (3), Dallan Larson (3), Jeff Hoffman and Hayden Burt scored for the Heat.
There was plenty of scoring in the second period, with the Heat taking a 16-7 lead at the end of 40 minutes, buoyed by scoring five of the last six goals in the frame. There was also a fight midway through the period.
Estevan spearheaded a brief rally early in the third period, scoring four straight goals, but the Heat responded with four unanswered of their own to close out the game.
Harris said it took awhile for her team to get rolling after the emotional pre-game ceremony.
"We got it together and played an awesome, awesome third period. When you're developing teams, you know you're playing against guys who have probably 20-25 years of experience in lacrosse. You know the outcome may not be a W, but when you leave the rink and feel positive about what you've done on the floor, that's progress."
On Sunday, the Impact trailed 8-1 at one point, but came to life in the second half of the second period, as the Heat led 12-5 after 40.
The Impact scored two power play goals in a span of 10 seconds in the third period to make it 12-7. Not long after that, there was a fight involving Ryan Curzon.
The Heat would seize control of the game for good around the seven-minute mark, scoring four goals in about a minute of game action.
Smith and Omland each scored hat tricks for Estevan, with Smyth and Kittler adding singles.
Larson (5), Gryschuk (4), Bellegay (2), Burt (2), Arlen Sjodin (2) and Watson scored for the Heat.
"We know we've gotta get our defence talking a little more and watch out for those picks that are getting set up behind us. What I'd like to see as a coach too is a lot more shots, more offence being generated," said Harris.
The Impact are back at home June 22-23 to close out the regular season, hosting a pair of games against the Saskatoon Brewers.
