For the second week in a row the lacrosse Bulldogs got scoring in bunches.
This time it wasn't quite enough to win the game and coach Joe Choptuik said it was because they slacked off at the wrong time and suffered a one-goal loss.
After going the opening period without getting a ball past Bulldog goaltender Louden Choptuik, the Rifles scored five goals in the middle period, handing Yorkton a 7-6 loss at the Kinsmen Arena
Yorkton had a two-game winning streak heading into the match.
Yorkton won twice last weekend but ended the season at home this past weekend with a close loss at the hands of the Rifles.
Regina came on strong in the third period of Saturday's game. They held a 5-4 advantage by the end of the second period.
"We slacked off," admitted Choptuik after the game. "We had a lead in the first (period) but that didn't last."
Yorkton held a 2-1 lead after one period on goals by Justin Genaille and Jayden Dozorec. Jerrason Fisher recorded the only assist in the opening period for either team, setting up Genaille for his first of two goals in the game.
Regina's Jesse Duncan did part of the damage in the second period, scoring two out of their five goals. Tristan Frei also scored a pair in that period while Leighton Goebel tallied one. That put Regina up 5-4 heading into the third period.
Answering back for Yorkton was Genaille with his second and sparkplug Tyson Haas added one. Mackenzie Shore and Louden Choptuik each drew assists on the Genaille goal. Brennen Peleshytyk and Immo Primus drew assists on Haas' goal.
Both teams would tally twice in the final frame; Dozorec rounded out his hat trick with Genaille and Primus assisting. Duncan also rounded out a hat trick for Regina and Blake Schindel added one.
The PGLL playoffs are scheduled for July 13-15 in Saskatoon, said Choptuik, who added that his team will likely be seeded in fifth place by the end of last weekend.
He said that means they will likely play one of the league's two Regina teams, the Rifles or the Riot in a one-game playoff.
Choptuik said Prince Albert's team finished first and Moose Jaw's is "in there too".
He added that whichever team Yorkton winds up playing "doesn't matter".
Single player performances won't be a huge factor, he said, suggesting that "all of them have to step up".
I'm looking forward to it."
The Bulldogs are hoping to be able to practice twice per week leading up to the playoff weekend, however Choptuik expects to run into some complications with the long weekend and graduation ceremonies.
