The festive spirit was in short supply at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday, December 28, 2025, as the Calgary Roughnecks' highly anticipated home opener turned into a night of frustration. The visiting Buffalo Bandits handed the Roughnecks a decisive 13-7 defeat, extending Calgary's winless start to the National Lacrosse League season to 0-3.
A Furious Coach and a Pledge to Improve
The loss left Roughnecks head coach Josh Sanderson in a visibly angry state. In his third year at the helm, Sanderson did not mince words when assessing his team's performance on WestJet Field. "We won't be washing their hands with this one — they're going to hear it," Sanderson stated bluntly. He took responsibility for the squad's lack of readiness, noting that neither team played well in the first quarter, but his group failed to elevate their game.
"It's on me — I didn't have the team ready. We'll fix it," Sanderson vowed, emphasizing the urgency for improvement before the season slips away. The Roughnecks now hold the undesirable distinction of being the only team in the 14-team NLL without a victory this season.
Key Factors in the Home Opener Defeat
Despite a significant roster overhaul that saw the departure of star players like Jesse King, Dane Dobbie, and Curtis Dickson, the Roughnecks faithful showed up in strong numbers. An impressive crowd of 11,715 braved the deep freeze gripping Calgary to pack the 'Rough House,' demonstrating unwavering support for the team.
Captain Eli Salama acknowledged the letdown for the loyal fans. "Yeah … just really not good enough for the full 60 there, which is unfortunate because the crowd was behind us," Salama said. "Definitely wish we did a little bit better job out on the floor for the home fans." The team's effort, or lack thereof, was the central theme of the night, overshadowing the celebratory atmosphere expected for a home opener.
Looking Ahead for the Winless Roughnecks
While Sanderson felt the team deserved better results in their first two games of the season, he offered no excuses for the home-opening performance. He acknowledged the team's relative youth but insisted they are capable of much more. The message from the coaching staff is clear: immediate and significant improvement is non-negotiable.
The Buffalo Bandits improved their record to 2-1 with the victory, capitalizing on Calgary's struggles. For the Roughnecks, the path forward is about rediscovering their identity and matching the intensity of their passionate fan base, starting with their next outing as they desperately seek their first win of the 2025-26 NLL campaign.
