The Estevan Tarpon Energy Big Dogs remain winless after a pair of losses on a weekend road trip.
The Big Dogs (0-5) fell 24-9 to the Prince Albert Predators on Saturday and 23-13 to the Saskatoon Smash the next day.
Estevan had only 14 runners available for the two games.
"When we're running the same guys over and over and over again on the floor, our kids are going to get exhausted," said head coach Evan Handley.
"We need all our bodies to show up. I know kids work and stuff, but they've known the schedule for a month and a half."
The Predators, a Prairie Gold Lacrosse League powerhouse in recent years, struggled out of the gate with three consecutive one-goal losses. But that ended against the Big Dogs, as Prince Albert exploded for 10 goals in the first period and 11 more in the second.
Tyler Tilford led the Predators with four goals, while Blair MacFarlane, Bennett Hopkins, Lucas Johnstone and Rhett Carlson each added a hat trick. Jagg Carlson (2), Brady Leachman (2), Braelan Frenette, Kyle Sawchuk and Brody Holishi also scored.
Dylan Smith powered the Big Dogs' attack with five goals and three assists, with newcomer Tison Schoenthal adding a hat trick. Michael Bittman also scored. Rhett Handley played set-up man all day with eight assists.
"They are a good team that moves the ball well. They capitalized when we made some mistakes," Handley said of the Predators. "We didn't do a good job keeping the ball out of our own net. We gave up some breakaways. By halfway through the second, we were pretty much beat."
The Big Dogs scored four goals in the first period and two in the second before Smith scored a natural hat trick in the third. That was the only period where Estevan matched the Predators, who also scored three goals in the frame.
Prince Albert put the game away for good with a stretch of eight straight goals in the second period.
"We kinda got down on ourselves for a few minutes. It seemed like every time they shot the ball it went in, and lots of times it was just guys not being on their man," Handley said.
On Sunday, the bad blood between the Big Dogs and Smash from last season spilled over as there were two fights.
"They play a very tough, physical game and they did that with us. We gave up some bad breakaways. We just did some things we shouldn't do and it bit us in the butt," said Handley.
Although the Big Dogs scored six goals in the first period, it was another rough period defensively as the Smash countered with 11.
Handley said that's an area that needs to improve, noting that the players who are used to playing in a defensive role are doing well, but those who don't have as much experience are struggling.
Jack Oakanee starred for Saskatoon with a seven-goal showing. Cody Schwan potted five, while Daniel Martina (3), Bailey Malkoski (2), Spencer Murphy (2), Jamie Flemming, Morgan Upton, Brendan Sullivan and Brendan Murphy also scored.
Smith (4), Schoenthal (3), Handley (2), Ty Currie (2), Mark Moriarty and Ryan Frehlick provided the scoring for Estevan.
Along with improved defensive play, Handley said the Big Dogs also need to be more effective on the power play in order to turn things around.
"These teams, they have kids who have grown up playing, and we've got kids who have never played before," he said.
The team is on the road again this weekend, visiting the Regina Riot on Friday and the Moose Jaw Mustangs on Sunday.
