Flat-track action returns to Midwest Sport Hockey in Ballwin this Saturday as Arch Rival Roller Derby (ARCH) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) hits the second event of their respective six-game regular seasons.
In the women’s game that launches at 6:30 pm, the M-80s (0-1) tangle with the Smashinistas (0-0). Then in the men’s nightcap that follows, defending GKRD Turf Wars champ Raiders of Forest Park (0-0) clashes with the Creve Coroners (0-1).
Photo Credit: Lynn Terry Photography
All four teams will jockey for positioning within each league’s hierarchy and for the pair of squads that suffered losses at the season opener last month at Queeny Park, another setback in the ledger is the furthest thing desired.
On the women’s side, the M-80s mightily battled defending ARCH league champion the Stunt Devils in December but fell 200-188 in a game that was determined in the final two rotations.
Even in defeat, there were plenty of positives found for the M-80s, including a late-game charge that erased a 40-plus-point deficit in the second period.
In the contest, jammer Shoulder, CO paced scoring with 81 points followed by 67 from BEECH, PLEASE!! Adding to the rotation this weekend will be Branch Devereaux.
On the blocking end, steady work was provided by co-captains Megabirch and Axe N’ Kitties as well as Chop It Like It’s Hot, Ginger, Pine As Buck, Jenny Loggins, Fiona Crabapple, Snoop Dogwood and Twig E Smalls. Assistance by Fir Serious?! and Sequoia Destro-Ya, both out of the December line-up, is anticipated this weekend.
Photo Credit: Lynn Terry Photography
For the Smashinistas, who make their season debut Saturday, jamming is expected to be paced by returning top scorer Harmony Killerbruise as well as veteran Flash and local-play newcomer Bolt Action. A solid blocking schema returns, featuring Shimmy Hoffa, Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Girl Fawkes, Blink, Salty, Holliver Fist and Party McFly. New Smashies additions this season include Birdsong, who gained derby experience while living in Chile, the returning Prof. Rumbledore and Smarty McFly, who now completes the inaugural round-tripper of competing for all four historical ARCH local teams.
With victory, the Smashies force an unblemished tie with the Stunt Devils in the ARCH standings. Conversely, the M-80s aim to solidify its second place status with a duke.
In Saturday’s men’s match-up, the Raiders of Forest Park have an opportunity to construct an early template for a Turf Wars repeat when they take to the Queeny Park flat-track for the the first time this season. Jammers Debaucherous Prime, D. Mouthful and ScreechAround are projected to set the pace for scoring while being assisted by blockers Spin Diesel, Atom Bomb, Nate Bower, Arty Panimal, Walker Hamilton, Dr. Dredd, Slammin’ T. Killa and newcomer Hertfelder.
Photo Credit: Lynn Terry Photography
Their opponents, the Creve Coroners, fell to the Central Friends last month by 37 points but displayed numerous stretches of firepower and stubborn blocking that impressed. Jammer Magnum P.I.M.P. scored 60 points at December’s seasonal launch followed by Sir Nix-A-Lot’s 39. Blocking will be paced by Boney Fangers, Hulk, Double Excel, Irving, O’ Connell, Specs Offender and Otter Nonsense.
Tickets for Saturday’s doubleheader at Midwest Sport Hockey (570 Weidman Rd, Ballwin, MO) are $10 while children 10 and under get in free.
For more information on Arch Rival Roller Derby, go to THE LEAGUE’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
For more information on GateKeepers Roller Derby, go to the LEAGUE’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE.
Arch City Sports will be in attendance for the event and will have full recaps posted Sunday.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
