The fans were treated to lacrosse being played by several of the boys who, a year earlier, had copped the Dominion Junior title. Players included the likes of Jim McIntyre, Ross Kelly, Don Haye, Norm Newman, Don Meeke, Bill McLean, Fred Ladley, Frazer Rock and goalies Jack Mitchell, Bob Streeter and Herb Lowe. Later in the season, some top Mimico players would join the team for the playoffs. They were Len Cook, Ray Mortimore, Vince Paddy and Pat DePiffo.
The Dixie-Mimico team had no trouble attracting players. Many years later, Herb Lowe would say in an interview that there would have been more than 50 players on the team’s roster that season. “I don’t think we had the same team twice all year. It was a nightmare for the people scheduling the players,” he said.
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But, by mid season, the crowds dropped off despite Dixie having a stronghold on second place in the league standings. It was a foregone conclusion that they would be in the playoffs in their inaugural season. It was at about this time that the team suffered its first setback in a game against the Orillia Terriers with a stinging 16-6 loss.
Dixie Arena management, concerned about the drop in attendance, decided to open the playing floor up to all youngsters on hand for the games one hour before game time. They also sold lacrosse sticks at cost. It worked and soon people started to arrive early and would enjoy their own playing time on the floor before each game.
By mid-August, crowds were increasing and, when Dixie hosted their arch rivals, Orillia, it produced the largest paid gate to-date. The press reported it was also the finest game ever seen to that point, ending in a 10-10 tie.
Playoffs proved to be a dramatic affair against the Orillia Terriers. The Orillia squad opened the best of five series on home turf with a pair of victories by taking the first game 18-7 and the second 24-16. All that remained was for Orillia to sweep the series by winning one at Dixie.
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