The season couldn’t have started much better for the Moose Jaw Chiefs in the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League’s senior division.

The Chiefs cruised to a 22-2 win over the Estevan Impact on Sunday afternoon at the Kinsmen Arena.

“To come out and for our first game, we were moving the ball well, getting quality shots and we’re hustling back on defence and it showed in the score,” said forward Carter Davis, who finished with three goals and seven points in the win.

Davis opened the scoring for the Chiefs just 24 seconds into the game and then back-to-back goals from Todd Doepker made it 3-0 before the game was even three minutes old.

The Chiefs led 7-1 after one, extended that lead to 18-1 after two and then cruised to the 20-goal win in the third period.

While the offensive output is impressive, the Chiefs were even more pleased with their play on the defensive end of the court.

“It’s one of our strong points and I want to give props to those guys in there because we are a strong defensive team,” said Davis. “When we can transition the ball up the floor after a big stop, it’s easy to play on offence, especially when you know those guys back there are going to shut them down.”

Kyle Dalgarno picked up four goals and six points in the win for the Chiefs.  Doepker and Tanner Kittler had three goals and six points each and Tyler Dobrescu finished with two goals and four assists.

Frank Davalos posted two goals and four points, while Chris Fall and Jay Fellinger had two goals and three points each.

Coming off another appearance in the league final last season, Davis said that they have most of the team back from last year.

“We’re very similar, but we did add some quality players. Dalgarno got hurt early last year, he’s got a really good stick and is going to help us on the offensive end, we’ve got Fall too who’s helping us out, and then we’ve got some other guys on D that are going to step up and play really well for us this year,” he said.

The Chiefs won their first league title in 2015, but then lost in overtime of the championship final to the Saskatoon Brewers in 2016. They’re coming into this season looking to avenge that loss.

“We’ve got a little bit of a sour taste in our mouth and we know what it takes to get back there,” said Davis. “We know how hard it’s going to be and how much work it’s going to take to get back there, but everyone’s buying in and putting the work in to get there.”

The Prairie Gold Lacrosse League’s senior division has grown to seven teams this year with the Saskatoon Sr. Swat and Saskatoon Steelers joining the Brewers in the Bridge City, as well as the Prince Albert Outlaws coming into the league to join the Chiefs, Impact and Regina Heat.

The Chiefs are back on the court on Saturday to host the Swat at the Kinsmen Arena. They get underway at 8 p.m.

Moose Jaw Kinsmen Lacrosse Opens Season on Monday... Lacrosse season kicks into high gear on Monday night with the first game for the minor teams this season. The Peewee Mustangs will host the Regina Roughnecks at the Kinsmen Arena. They kick-off at 6 p.m.