The change of the calendar year could be launched with changes in the hierarchy of local flat-track roller derby leagues by the end of the weekend.
The Arch Rival Roller Girls (ARRG) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) continue its co-hosted double headers this Saturday at Midwest Sport Hockey at Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO.) Doors open at 6 pm and the first game begins at 6:30 pm.
In the ARRG opener, the Stunt Devils (0-1) challenge two-time defending league champions, the Smashinistas (1-0), which is followed by the “GKRD Turf Wars” clash between the Dogtown Rockets (0-1) and the Riverfront Crimes (0-1).
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
For the Stunt Devils, it’s a chance to get back into the thick of the ARRG standings following a 250-192 setback to the M-80s (1-1) last month. Newly-transferred jammer Bricktator scored an impressive 131 points in her ARRG debut while Mayor Francis Slayer, Chokehold Chanel and Shear-Ra Powers also contributed to the team’s high point total.
A missing piece of last month’s jamming puzzle, Mighty Mighty Boston, is back in the fold following a December sabbatical. Grave Danger, Morgan LeFaetal, Danisaurus Rex, Ninja Sass’Em, Orange Ya’ Sorry, Smack A’NOVA and Soundproof are set to build solid walls with the blocking.
With a victory Saturday, the Stunts would put the ARRG standings in a three-way tie as each team within the league would sport identical 1-1 records.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Standing in opposition are the Smashinistas, who were dominant in its respective season opener two months ago. Jammer Brickyard posted 151 points in November’s win over the M-80s. Both Cloak N’ Drag-Her and EnYa Nightmare added 30-plus points apiece to the ledger.
Blockers Eli Wallop, Party RockHer, Prof. Rumbledore, Downtown Dallis, Chewblocka, Fletch-A-Sketch, Girl Fawkes and Rock Slobster maintained the winning cushion and, alongside the returning Shimmy Hoffa, look to sport a commanding 2-0 league record with victory Saturday.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In the men’s contest, both teams look for their first win within the Turf Wars regular season and sole possession of second place in the standings. The Dogtown Rockets return to the flat-track after being idle in December. In their November launch against GKRD league champ South Grand Slammers, the Rockets fell short on the scoreboard but improved mightily as the game progressed. In fact, they outscored the Slammers, 66-60, in the second period.
Jammers Shane-Go Fett and Magnum P.I.M.P each scored over 30 points in the game and both Mueller and Bat Wing scored double-digit jams late. The blocking also steadily improved in the battle with the walls built by Wrecking Bill, Monster Jam, Kurt Mangle, High Pains Drifter, Specs Offender, Atom Bomb, Dr. Dredd and Red Rider.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The opponent, the Riverfront Crimes, found itself in a tough position last month and that narrative blends into Saturday’s contest. Due to a shortened charter against the Slammers at the December event, the Crimes offered “one night only contracts” to willing idle Rockets. The mafia were able to field a team for that particular contest, but that luxury is not available Saturday.
As a result, the Crimes acquired the services of blocker Percy Control and jammer Indecent Exposure for the remainder of the Turf Wars 2015 campaign. This deal adds to the jammer rotation of Debaucherous Prime, Screech Around, the Saint and Awfulsauce while blockers Bled Zepplin, Skulls McCrackin, BA Blokenstein, mrPINK, Walker Hamilton and Dago Whomp lay down the foundation.
Will the Crimes affix the Rockets with “concrete shoes” Saturday or will the red-clad rollers use its second-half springboard as a propeller for victory? Expect the drama to build up until the final whistle is blown.
General admission tickets for the double-header are $15 at the door while children 10 and under are free. For advance discounted tickets online, which includes a “buy one/get one free offer”, GO TO THIS LINK.
For more information on the Arch Rival Roller Girls, go to archrivalrollergirls.com.
For more information on GateKeepers Roller Derby, go to stlgatekeepers.com.
For a recap of the November action from both leagues, here is a recap from the STL DERBY REWIND.
