A men’s donnybrook that determines a trophy entry and a women’s battle between future championship finalists highlights Saturday’s twin bill for the Arch Rival Roller Girls (ARRG) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) at Midwest Sport Hockey in Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO.)
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In the GateKeepers’ opener, the Riverfront Crimes (1-2) battle the Dogtown Rockets (1-2) while Arch Rival’s nightcap features a clash between the Stunt Devils (2-1) and two-time defending league champs, the Smashinistas (2-1).
The double header is the final regular season event prior to the two respective leagues’ championship showcase in June at Chaifetz Arena.
In March, the Riverfront Crimes jettisoned from the bottom of the GKRD Turf Wars hierarchy to a potential berth to the June title bout. The 190-101 duke over defending league champ South Grand Slammers not only broke the kingpin’s eight-game winning streak but also put the mafia into a standings tie with the Rockets.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Crimes’ jammers Debaucherous Prime, Screecharound and Indecent Exposure will pace the scoring, blockers Percy Controll, Nate Bower, Walker Hamilton, B.A. Blockenstein, Skulls McCrackin, Bled Zepplin, mr PINK and The Saint will lay down the foundation and newcomers Slammin’ T Killa and Dash will make their inaugural flat-track trip.
The “win and you’re in” scenario also applies to the Dogtown Rockets. Despite a 152-129 setback to the Slammers in February, the red-clad rollers were much improved compared to earlier in the season.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Jammer Magnum P.I.M.P. scored 87 points in February while Shane Bower and James Mueller supplemented with solid numbers. They’ll be supported by blockers Kurt Mangle, Atom Bomb, Dr. Dredd, Red Ryder, Specs Offender, Poppa Choppa and Monster Jam.
When the two squads faced each other earlier in the regular season, the Rockets posted a 180-14 January win over the Crimes. Dogtown wants a repeat performance to return to the title mix.
The narrative is simple for the men’s match-up: winner plays on the Chaifetz floor in June, loser sits in the stands.
Conveniently, a preview of June’s ARRG championship game at Chaifetz takes place Saturday with a battle between the Smashinistas and the Stunt Devils.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Idle last month, the Smashies enter the contest with a fully-stocked roster featuring jammers Brickyard, EnYa Nightmare and Cloak N’ Drag-Her. Blockers Shimmy Hoffa, Girl Fawkes, Eli Wallop, Party RockHer, Chewblocka, Prof. Rumbledore, Fletch-A-Sketch, Rock Slobster, Holliver Fist and Hakuna Renata will be setting the walls to make the scoring happen.
Having already clinched a trip to Chaifetz, the Smashies are guaranteed an opportunity to “three-peat.” However, the team they are facing Saturday handed them their one loss earlier this season.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The Stunt Devils clinched the other ARRG title game slot with a 145-92 win over the M-80s last month and all signs point to a potential regular season sweep over the defending champs.
Jammer Bricktator scored 72 points in the March win over the M-80s while Mighty Mighty Boston added 50. Stunts’ newcomer Aceta Menacin saw solid rotations with the star on the helmet and both Shear-Ra Powers and Chokehold Chanel return to the line-up Saturday.
Blocking will be set by Mayor Francis Slayer, Grave Danger, Morgan LeFaetal, Ninja Sass ‘Em, Orange Ya Sry, Smack A’NOVA, Danisaurus Rex, Aggie Wartooth and Soundproof.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Doors open at 6 pm and the first game launches at 6:30 pm. General admission tickets for the double-header are $15 at the door while children 10 and under are free. For advance discounted tickets online, 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.
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.
