The 2026 National Lacrosse League season for the Calgary Roughnecks began with a hard-fought but ultimately unsuccessful road effort. The young and revamped squad fell 16-13 to the Saskatchewan Rush at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon on Saturday, December 6, 2025, revealing both growing pains and promising resilience in their debut.
A Slow Start and a Strong Response
The game narrative was one of two halves. The Roughnecks struggled to find their footing early, allowing the Rush to seize control. However, the team's character shone through as the match progressed. They settled into a rhythm, mounted a second-half rally, and even drew level with the home side in the fourth quarter.
"Our start wasn't what we were hoping for," admitted Roughnecks General Manager Mike Board. "But once we settled in and found some rhythm, there were a lot of good things to take from the game. Proud of the way we responded in the second half. We were reminded that it is a 60-minute game."
The comeback bid was ultimately thwarted when Saskatchewan's Zach Manns scored his second of three goals on the night with 5:34 remaining, breaking the tie and securing the Rush victory.
Key Takeaways from the Opener
The contest provided clear indicators of where this new-look Roughnecks team stands and what it must work on as the season progresses.
1. Inevitable Growing Pains for a New Core
The off-season brought significant roster changes to Calgary, creating a vastly different lineup. This new group, still learning to play together, experienced predictable early struggles. The lack of established chemistry was evident, particularly in the rocky opening stages, and directly contributed to the loss.
"We're young and have to grow together," stated Board. "And we did a lot of that as the game progressed." Such moments are expected with a youthful roster and will likely recur until consistent on-floor connections are forged.
2. Goaltending Transition in Focus
All eyes were on the Roughnecks' crease, where a new era in net is beginning. The team's management has high expectations for goaltender Aden Walsh, the central piece acquired in the trade that sent superstar Christian Del Bianco to the Vancouver Warriors. Walsh, a second-round pick (25th overall) in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft, carries the potential to be a cornerstone for the franchise moving forward.
While the final score wasn't in their favour, the Roughnecks' season opener served as a valuable first test. The loss to the Saskatchewan Rush highlighted areas needing refinement but also demonstrated the team's fighting spirit. As General Manager Mike Board emphasized, this is a group that will require time to gel, but their second-half response in Saskatoon suggests the foundation for growth is firmly in place.
