in an overtime thriller in Game 2 in Calgary on May 25. Rhys Duch scored the overtime winning goal. New ownership Banister announced shortly before the 2011 season began that he had placed the team for sale. He had talks with the National Hockey League's (NHL) Calgary Flames, who indicated at the time they were not interested in the team. Midway through the season, Banister announced that he was late in meeting payroll and that the team was in danger of folding during the season. In a press release, he made an impassioned plea for the city's business community to step forward and save the team. The announcement touched off several weeks of speculation about the team, its future, and the potential for the Flames to purchase the team. On the floor, the team shrugged off the team's instability, finishing with the best record in the NLL at 11–5. As they were set to face the Colorado Mammoth in the West semi-final, Banister put out another plea to the fans for support in the playoff game, threatening to turn the West final, which Calgary would have had the right to host, to their opponent for the game. The Roughnecks defeated the Mammoth, and played the West final at home, but were eliminated by the Washington Stealth in an upset by a 10–8 score. The team's future was settled in the off-season, as Banister announced on June 14, 2011, that the Flames had purchased the team, becoming the third NHL franchise to operate an NLL team after the Mammoth and Bandits. As part of the deal, it was announced that Banister would assist in the team's transition period, and was replaced as general manager by former Calgary Herald writer and Flames employee Mike Board. Mascot Howie, the honey badger, is the team's official mascot. The Roughnecks introduced the new mascot at a media event on January 26, 2012, and later unveiled the name after holding a naming contest. The team's former mascot is Derrick, an oilpatch rigger. Current roster All-time record Playoff results Awards and honours Head coaching history Hall of Famers Steve Dietrich (Class of 2012) Chris Hall (Class of 2014) Tracy Kelusky (Class of 2016) Josh Sanderson (Class of 2016) See also Calgary Roughnecks seasons References External links Official Website Roughnecks, Calgary National Lacrosse League teams Lacrosse clubs established in 2001 Lacrosse teams in Alberta 2001 establishments in Alberta