4 Takeaways from Roughnecks' rough home-opening NLL loss

’Tis the season for giving.

But giving the kind of effort the Calgary Roughnecks did in their home opener Sunday night doesn’t fit the holiday bill — or the way the proud National Lacrosse League team wants to operate.

Indeed, there was nothing happy or festive about how it went down in the lid-lifter on WestJet Field at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Instead, the 13-7 win by the visiting Buffalo Bandits (2-1) left the Roughnecks (0-3) angry and swearing a blue streak, beginning with their lead man, head coach Josh Sanderson.

“We won’t be washing their hands with this one — they’re going to hear it,” said a furious Sanderson, in his third year as the Roughnecks bench boss.

“We weren’t ready to play. 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.”

And fast — they hope — or the season will get away from them.

The loss leaves the Riggers as the only team of the 14 NLL squads without a win so far on the season.

And they aren’t going to simply dismiss the effort Sunday in front of the Rough House faithful.

“Yeah … no … we’re not gonna make excuses,” added Sanderson. “It’s just the way it is. We’ve got to be better. We’re not gonna make excuses.

“We know we’re a bit younger, but we could have played a lot better than that. I think we deserved some better results (than an 0-3 opening to the season). Maybe in the first two games, but not (Sunday night).”

Here are 4 takeaways from Sunday night’s home opener at the Dome …

GREAT SUPPORT

Never mind the new look of the Roughnecks.
It just doesn’t bother their fans.
Once again, Calgarians came out to support the NLL side, likely to see what all the fuss is about without the likes of the departed — superstars Jesse King, Dane Dobbie and Curtis Dickson — in the lineup.
The attendance was a solid 11,715 — that despite the deep freeze that has gripped the city. It would have been easy to stay home for the holiday affair.
But that doesn’t happen with this fan-base.
Spirits were high and the usual good-time was on at the Rough House, marking the start of another expected fun campaign at the Dome.
The only thing that would have made it better was a win for the home squad.
“Yeah … just really not good enough for the full 60 there, which is unfortunate because the crowd was behind us,” said Roughnecks captain Eli Salama. “Definitely wish we did a little bit better job out on the floor for the home fans.”

NOT ENOUGH POP

That wish didn’t come true due mostly to the lack of production on the evening.
The Roughnecks just didn’t get enough goals — and that’s a death sentence when playing the powerhouse Bandits.
After all, they are the reigning champs, who came into the Rough House in an ornery mood after losing their last outing to the Halifax Thunderbirds in Buffalo.
“I think we left a lot of opportunities out there,” said veteran forward Tanner Cook. “We’ve got to capitalize. We’ve got to execute. We’ve got to be more organized with the front end.”
Even worse was they didn’t create enough chances to manufacture a home-opening result to cheer on.
“We’re not making excuses out here,” added Cook. “We’ve got to put more in the net.”

OFFENCE FROM UNLIKELY SOURCES

The only positive from the offence on the night was the not-so-usual Riggers getting on the scoresheet.
And they’ll need that to continue to help them grow throughout the year.
Staunch veteran Harrison Matsuoka netted his first goal of the campaign. Kyle Fellow defender Pepper, the 2025 first-round draftee, popped the first home goal of his pro career. And Haiden Dickson got one in his key role as a secondary scorer.
That’s a nice assortment of goal-getters who don’t always hit the score-sheet.
The other goals came off the sticks of expected producers Tyler Pace and Tanner Cook — with two apiece.
But four from the offensive stars just isn’t enough, although they are mostly surrounded by young shooters still trying to find their feet in the pro ranks.
“They’re not going to get another look if they don’t start bringing a bit more to the table,” said Sanderson, of the team’s fresher faces. “We’re supposed to be real physical and fast, and we were slow and soft.”

IT DOESN’T GET ANY EASIER

The schedule-makers haven’t helped the young Riggers find their feet.
The first three games came against three traditional powerhouses.
And the next few are against talented rivals in the San Diego Seals and the Vancouver Warriors.
With no wins to show, the confidence is likely low, and Sunday’s effort further complicates the push to improve.
“I can take a lot out of the first two games,” said Sanderson, of tightly contested road losses to the Saskatchewan Rush and the Toronto Rock. “I can’t (Sunday). You’ve gotta start on time against Buffalo, right? So when we’re pissing the ball away and your offence just nearly isn’t good enough …”
It doesn’t bode well for a win, which is what they need to jump-start their confidence.
“I think it’s obvious that we haven’t earned anything yet in three weeks here,” Salama said. “So two ‘atta boys’ — you know … the close games — and then whatever that was (Sunday) night (means) we haven’t quite found our rhythm yet. And that’s OK. But we’ve just got to find it fast.
“It’s a long season, but it sneaks up on you pretty quick here. So down in an 0-3 hole is not ideal. But I think we’ve got the tools and everything in there to find our way and right the ship.”
That will have to come quick with the next game just days into the new year — next Saturday against the host Seals (1-1) in the SoCal city (8 p.m., TSN+).
“Yeah … we’ve got to look at the drawing board and reset — 0-3 is not the start we’re looking for,” added Salama. “So 2026 is a nice, clean slate.”

tsaelhof@postmedia.com
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