The Parkland Mavericks season has come to an end with a 36-17 loss to the Winnipeg Wombats, Sept. 7, in Winnipeg.

Oliver Dandeneau, Matt Zurba and Daniel Evans had Parkland’s tries and Evans added a convert.

It was the first playoff game for the Mavericks in more than 20 years and player-coach Shawn Sarkonak said it went well.

“We were in it, especially in the first half. It was really tight. Just a little more experience and a few extra subs on the other team and a couple of unfortunate missed tackles led to the difference in the game,” he said.

Sarkonak felt the Mavericks improved from the start of the season, noting they actually played a full season compared to last year, when there was no league for the team to play in.

“From start to finish there was definite improvement. Just toward the end, we just unfortunately weren’t able to get all our best players together on the field, actually up until the playoff game,” he said.

“Even at that, we were missing guys with some injuries that definitely would have added some depth and would have changed the dynamic of the game, for sure.”

Sarkonak is excited for the Mavericks’ future, noting the team’s younger players have already committed to playing next season.

“The future looks bright, for sure,” he said.

Although the Division 2 season may be over, the Mavericks will host Mavs Fest, Sept. 28, which will include players from the Winnipeg Wasps, Wombats and Winnipeg Assassins.

There will also be some women’s games featuring teams from Saskatchewan.

“The guys were looking at a way to end the season. They had hosted, a number of years ago, a similar thing where the Wasps came down and a team from Regina came in. There was a beer gardens set up. And they wanted to re-do it again,” Sarkonak said.