Calgary Roughnecks Suffer Defeat in Home Opener Against Bandits

The Calgary Roughnecks experienced a challenging start to their season, suffering a 13-7 loss to the Buffalo Bandits in their home opener at Scotiabank Saddledome on November 26, 2023. This defeat leaves the Roughnecks with an 0-3 record, placing them at the bottom of the National Lacrosse League standings as the only team without a victory so far.

Head coach Josh Sanderson, visibly frustrated, addressed the team’s performance after the game. “We weren’t ready to play,” he stated. “I didn’t think Buffalo was very good in the first quarter, and we weren’t very good either. It’s on me — I didn’t have the team ready. We’ll fix it.” Sanderson’s accountability signals a commitment to improvement, emphasizing that the team cannot afford to dwell on this defeat.

Despite the disappointing result, Roughnecks fans showed unwavering support, with an attendance of 11,715 at the arena. This turnout occurred even in the midst of severe cold weather, highlighting the dedication of Calgary’s lacrosse community. Captain Eli Salama acknowledged the fans’ encouragement but lamented the team’s failure to deliver a better performance. “Yeah … just really not good enough for the full 60 there, which is unfortunate because the crowd was behind us,” he remarked.

Sanderson also noted the team’s youth as a factor in the lackluster performance but insisted that younger players could still perform at a higher level. “We know we’re a bit younger, but we could have played a lot better than that. I think we deserved some better results,” he said.

The Roughnecks are now looking ahead to their next match, aware that immediate improvements are crucial to avoid falling further behind in the season. As the team prepares for upcoming challenges, they are focused on aligning their efforts and executing better strategies on the field. The urgency to turn things around is palpable, given the importance of maintaining a competitive edge in the league.

The Roughnecks have a passionate fanbase that expects more from the team, and the players are determined to rise to the occasion. As they regroup, the focus will be on harnessing the support from their earlier loyal followers and translating it into positive performances moving forward.