The Calgary Roughnecks' debut in the National Lacrosse League's UnBOXed Series turned into a night to forget this past Friday. Instead of showcasing the sport in a neutral-site venue to help grow the league, the team put forth what many are calling its worst performance in years.
A Disastrous Showcase in Rogers Place
The game, played at Rogers Place in Edmonton on January 16, 2006, was meant to be a showcase event. The mission of the 'UnBOXed' series is to expand the NLL's footprint by playing in cities without current teams. However, the Roughnecks' effort did little to promote the sport, resulting in a lopsided 19-9 loss to the visiting Georgia Swarm.
The defeat was particularly bitter for the Calgary fans who made the three-hour drive north. Longtime supporter Bob Curran voiced the frustration of many, stating, "We paid hard earned money to come to Edmonton and watch this crap." He added, "That game was the worst lacrosse I've ever seen from the Roughnecks."
The loss leaves the Riggers firmly at the bottom of the NLL standings with a record of 1-5, while the Swarm improved to an even 3-3.
Key Takeaways from a Rough Night
Another Painfully Slow Start
A recurring issue for the team this season, a poor start, was glaringly evident. The Georgia Swarm overwhelmed Roughnecks starting goaltender Aden Walsh, scoring the game's first four goals in just 6 minutes and 2 seconds. They built a lead of six goals before Calgary's Tanner Cook finally got the Riggers on the board with just over two minutes left in the opening quarter.
By the end of the first quarter, the score was an embarrassing 7-1. The situation worsened by halftime, with the Swarm leading 11-2. Walsh was chased from the net after surrendering 10 goals on 25 shots.
A Team in Transition
It's important to view this performance in context. The 2026 Calgary Roughnecks are a team undergoing significant change. After the departure of several star players in the summer, this year's squad is the youngest in the entire NLL.
While the team aims to uphold its championship-standard legacy, a title run this season appears unlikely. The Swarm, though the third-youngest team themselves, possessed a decisive advantage in veteran superstar Lyle Thompson. Thompson dominated the game, racking up a game-high 10 points, including 4 goals and 5 points in the first half alone.
Given the relative inexperience of both clubs, a closer contest—or even a desperately needed win for the Roughnecks—was expected, making the blowout nature of the loss all the more disappointing for the Calgary faithful.
