For 40 minutes Saturday, the Estevan Big Dogs looked like they might win their Prairie Gold Lacrosse League season opener for the first time in their three-year history.Then came the penalties. And more penalties. And more penalties yet.Tied 3-3 with the hometown Moose Jaw Mustangs after two periods, the Big Dogs took five minor penalties over a one minute 50 second span in the middle of the third.Moose Jaw pounced for three power play goals and Mitch Adams completed his third-period hat trick with one second to play as the Mustangs went on to a 9-3 win."The third period our heads kind of got out of it a bit," said Big Dogs coach Evan Handley. "We started taking some penalties and Moose Jaw's got some kids with incredible skill so when you give them the chance five on four or five on three, they're going to make you pay."Estevan's best season opener in the junior franchise's brief history was sparked by two goals from midget call-up River Lafferty and another from third-year forward Lucas Smyth.The five-foot-eight Lafferty later fought six-foot-one Tony Oak from Moose Jaw in the last of the game's three fights.The resulting game misconducts left the Big Dogs with 13 runners to the Mustangs' 16.With 144 total minutes, it was the most penalty-filled game ever for the Big Dogs."The first 40 minutes I was very impressed, very happy we outplayed them badly the first 20 minutes," said Handley. "Really badly. We're just short. They had a huge lineup and those extra [players] make a difference."Estevan's next game is Sunday when they host the Prince Albert Predators in the Big Dogs' home opener.The Predators beat the Saskatoon Smash 6-3 in their season opener, and the Estevan game was to end a stretch of three games in four nights for P.A.Game time is 1 p.m. at the Lignite Miners Centre.
