The Estevan Devils lost two more games at the Lignite Miners Centre on the weekend, both to the Regina Cannons.
Saturday's 15-0 loss was one the Devils would rather forget, but a 12-4 defeat to the Cannons on Sunday had some positives.
The Devils normally trail by several goals after the first period, but they led the Cannons 2-1 after 20 minutes.
"The period started out with Estevan laying pressure to the Cannons and we did not stop through the entire first period," said coach Cory Bod. "Every Devils player was involved."
Ryan Frehlick, unassisted, and Austin Spencer, from Frehlick and goalie Ryan Kenzie, were the Estevan scorers in the opening frame.
Bod said his team was upbeat and made some adjustments Sunday, with the veterans providing encouragement.
"We hustled, we moved the ball, we pressured them into poor decisions. The bench was excited."
The Devils were outscored 5-2 in the second, but continued to play some of their best lacrosse of the season.
Cole MacCuish and Spencer had the second-period goals, with Frehlick and Kenzie drawing assists.
The Devils started to gamble in the third period in an attempt to tie the game, but Regina took advantage of the defensive holes that resulted and scored six unanswered goals.
"I was very proud of they way the kids elevated their game. All our players had good games and looked after one another," said Bod.
"(Preston) Benning, (Kaitlin) King, (Shelby) Betzema and (Cam Biette) didn't show on the scoresheet, but they played great games. Mike Slager was all over the opposing team.
"Mike stands up to the chest of most of his opponents and gives up likely 100 pounds, but this does not deter his effort."
Bod said his team put some pressure on the Cannons on Saturday, but couldn't produce a goal.
Last Wednesday saw the Devils travel to Regina, where they lost 14-0 to the Knights.
