The Calgary Roughnecks finished at the top of the professional box lacrosse world and earned the 2019 NLL cup with their 14-13 win over the Buffalo Bandits. The win completed their two-game sweep of Buffalo in the NLL Finals and came off Rhys Duch’s clutch overtime goal at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
“I’m feeling amazing, I’m feeling grateful,” said Jesse King, Calgary’s forward who was out of commission most of the season due to injury. King returned with two games left in the regular season and was monumental in the Roughnecks’ 4-0 playoff run. “I’m thankful for the group of guys and what we were able to accomplish over the last six or seven months… It’s a humbling and exciting feeling all at once.”
The Roughnecks finished the regular season with a 10-8 record that included winning their final three games to secure a playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Roughnecks defeated the San Diego Seals in a tight 12-11 contest and then defeated the Colorado Mammoth 8-4 to earn a trip to the NLL Finals.
The team traveled to Buffalo for Game 1 where they defeated the Bandits 10-7 and returned home to the Scotiabank Saddledome to complete the sweep and win the 2019 NLL cup.
The team’s win secured the franchise’s third in their 18-year history and first in 10 years. Prior to this season, Calgary won their last NLL Championship in 2009, defeating the New York Titans 12-10. The franchise won its first championship in 2004 and ironically defeated the Buffalo Bandits, a team that was also seeking to end a championship drought of more than 10 years.
