Two exhibition games produced two losses over the weekend for the Augusta Lynx. The new-look team fell 4-1 to the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Saturday at James Brown Arena in a follow up to a 5-2 loss to the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday night.

The outcome of the games meant nothing. The regular season doesn't start until next weekend. But Lynx first-year coach John Marks said he still doesn't like to see his team in the loss column.

"I don't care if you're playing checkers or rummy or exhibition games. You still want to win," he said. "But we're evaluating talent here and trying to give some guys the chance to play themselves onto the team and some to play out of it."

The training camp roster was trimmed by six players between Friday's and Saturday's games, but Marks still worked 11 forwards on and off the ice against Mississippi. Fifteen of the 19 skaters in uniform are new to the Lynx, and Marks said their unfamiliarity with each other showed.

"Because of the lack of communication, we're not recognizing what's happening on the ice," he said. "We're just not on the same page right now."

Mississippi, which will return to James Brown Arena next Friday to open the regular season, jumped ahead early with a goal in the first minute of the game and led the rest of the way. Defenseman Alexander Parent scored the opening goal on a pass from Michael Couch 47 seconds into the game. Parent beat Lynx starting goaltender Joel Martin and went on to add two assists for a four-point night.

The bright spot for the Lynx came on a Dallas Steward goal late in the game. The 5-foot-6 center had the best weekend among the Lynx players by scoring the first goal of the preseason Friday, then getting the only Lynx goal Saturday.

Steward's third-period power play goal deflected in front of the net and in off a Kevin Quick shot from the point.

"He might look small, but he plays like a big guy out there," Lynx starting forward Aaron Slattengren said of Steward. "He's tough."

Mississippi forward Mike Berry scored two goals, while Mathieu Melanson added the final score with an even-strength goal late in the third period.