Three members of the Estevan Big Dogs lost their third straight game Saturday, but it was one they were likely a little happier to be a part of.Marshall Holzer, Ryan Curzon, and Lucas Smyth were chosen last week to represent the Big Dogs on Team Â鶹ÊÓƵ at the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League's all-star game.In the end Team North was able to avenge last year's loss with a 13-6 win."Holzer's our leading scorer Curzon's our heart and soul, and Lucas is a really hard-working kid," said Big Dogs head coach Evan Handley. "He works so hard in practice and he might not be as fast as some of the kids out there but he takes a beating."Those were three real good choices."Playing in a league against opponents up to five years older than him, Holzer leads the Big Dogs in scoring with five goals and seven assists for 12 points in seven games.Curzon is second with four goals and five assists, and Smyth is fourth with three goals and four assists."There were some other kids we could have sent as well, but in talking to Jody [Harris, team manager] and [assistant coach] Blaine Chrest, those other kids will have their day down the road here," said Handley.The all-star game came three days after the Big Dogs' last league game, an 11-4 road loss to the Regina Riot.Smyth, Nathan Harris, and Michael Bittman each had a goal and an assist in the game for Estevan. Curzon had the other Big Dogs goal while Holzer and Mark Moriarty also chipped in with assists.Handley pointed out that the result was the closest the Big Dogs have come in three years to beating the Riot and suggested good things are ahead for the team."They know they can play against anybody in the league," he said. "They have a great deal of talent and that will help them out."The Big Dogs (2-5-0) will play their final home games of the season this weekend. They host the Saskatoon Steelers (3-5-0) on Saturday at 3 p.m. and the Saskatoon Smash (4-1-1) on Sunday at 2 p.m.A win in either game would all but guarantee the Big Dogs will avoid the PGLL's 8 vs. 9 survivor playoff game.Both games are at the Lignite Miners Centre.
