Could have been that it was cold, which made the foam seal of the filter less malleable (squishy), which made it harder to line up the pegs and clamp the lid closed.

I changed my filter before a road trip last summer and I noticed that it was an awkward design, but not impossible. Getting it to seal correctly did take a little more effort than it probably could/should have.

That said - you all better be checking the seal on that thing after you have the oil / filters changed at those quick lube places. I can just see the service guy half ass clamp the thing down with the pegs not seated.