After posting a dominant win last month to launch its 2016 campaign, the primary travel squad of the St. Chux Derby Chix returns to the flat-track this Saturday night against nearby competition.
Photo Credit: Jeff Higgins
The Pack in Black, currently ranked #57 internationally by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), hosts the Arch Rival Roller Girls’ Saint Lunachix this Saturday at Matteson Square Garden (3051 Industrial Park Place, St. Peters, MO). First whistle blows at 6 p.m.
The non-sanctioned contest features St. Chux’s “A- team” against Arch Rival’s “B-team,” but when the aforementioned “B-team” is a component of a franchise that is ranked in the WFTDA’s international Top 10, casual observers might throw any preconceived notions to the wayside. Nevertheless, that doesn’t sway the hostesses, who performed highly-charged at their February season opener.
The Pack in Black, 1-0 overall, began its season with a 345-118 home romp over #30 Demolition City. In the non-sanctioned victory, St. Chux captain Jedi Knight-N-Gale scored a mind-melting 191 points while jammers Pixie Dust-Ruction and Darth Maully added 82 and 59, respectively. Sha’Killa also saw plenty of rotations with the star on the helmet.
Photo Credit: Jeff Higgins
Key to its success was blocking, paced by veterans Tara Eyes, Whip L’Ash, Zo D. Ax, 50 Shades of Pink, Big Red, Zombie F-Bomb, Judy Boom, Blue Collar Brawler, Slaughterhaus and Calamity Cat.
“That was a good first game for us to come together as a team and get an idea of how we will play and work together with the team we have this season,” said Knight-N-Gale of the 227-point duke over Demolition City.
The Pack In Black are primed to claim its second straight win and pick up momentum heading into its self-hosted “Skate to Thrill” invitational in early-April, which will see the squad face its toughest regular season opposition in a two-day quad-sprint.
“I think the Saint Lunachix will be a much better match up for us to figure out what we need to work on and where to focus our training in the weeks leading up to ‘Skate to Thrill,’” said Knight-N-Gale.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Meanwhile, Arch Rival’s B-team developmental squad, the Saint Lunachix, embarks on its 2016 journey this weekend and looks to top last season’s 3-1 record.
“The Lunachix are looking to make their mark this year as both an exemplary B-team and as an incubator for All-Star talent,” said Co-captain Psychokid d’Freakout. “The objective of this first contest is to kick off the season with good game play and set ourselves up for success for the rest of our season. As Arch Rival has an abundance of new talent, our goal, as we continue the season, is to develop this talent.”
The Saint Lunachix twenty-skater charter was recently solidified and 14 skaters will be listed for Saturday night’s line-up.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Alongside d’Freakout, jammers on the charter this season include Sleazy E, Bloody Gaga, Warpath O’ Jen and Flash. Blockers include co-captain Pegasass, Salty, Carmina Piranha, Girl Fawkes, Cruella Belle-ville, Fletch-A-Sketch, Molotov, Midnight Smack, Rock Slobster, Snotface, Jenforcer, Blink, Aggie Wartooth, Trigger Happy Jackie and Hakuna Renata.
The St. Louis County-based franchise is using Saturday’s tussle to prep for the “B-Cup Tournament,” an eight-league, B-team bracketed engagement that takes place in Bloomington, Indiana in late-April.
“The SCDC game is a fantastic opportunity to see the talent chosen for our Lunachix to work together before heading to the ‘B-Cup,’” said d’Freakout. “Tournament play relies a lot on successful pack work. When we get worn out as the tournament progresses, we need to rely on each other for success.”
Photo Credit: Jeff Higgins
As both competing leagues are within mere miles of each other, Saturday’s game contains a lot of familiarity amongst skaters. Alongside d’Freakout, two other skaters were members of the St. Chux roster last season and both leagues’ constituents regularly appear at each other’s respective games in spectator support.
That being said, a win is a win Saturday night for both, regardless of geographical intimacy or derby fellowship.
“I don’t think it will make a whole lot of difference as far as the overall game play,” said SCDC’s Knight-N-Gale. “Hopefully as the game goes on, we can adjust to how everyone skates, and maybe knowing some of their skating styles will come in handy. But they know ours, so it feels pretty even in my mind.”
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
“I think knowing your competition is a double-edged sword,” added ARRG’s d’Freakout. “Knowing your opponent means you can prepare, but you also build up these expectations in your head of what should happen, what skaters they have and etcetera.”
When evaluating the opposition, the captains look at Saturday’s game as if the pair were engaged in a first-time meeting.
“I have no assessment, honestly, as I go into almost every bout with a blank slate,” said the Pack in Black’s Knight-N-Gale about the Lunachix. “I usually know nothing about our opposition, even if we’ve played them before. I don’t recall particulars, and teams change so much every season anyway. I don’t like to over think it.
“I know most people research and plan ahead, but that’s just not my style. I go in and play my hardest, no matter what.”
Photo Credit: Jeff Higgins
“I truly think the best approach for us in this first game is to go in focusing on our own strengths and knowing that we’ve put in the work,” said d’Freakout of the Lunachix. “We’re going to do amazing things together as a team and we can be proud of that!”
Tickets for the event, which includes a match-up pitting SCDC’s Hell’s Belles “B” team against Columbia, Missouri’s CoMo Derby Dames, are $12 at the door while children 12 and under get in free. Save $2 per ticket online by going to THIS LINK.
For more information, go to SCDC’s official Facebook Page.
Arch City Sports will have a recap of the event posted on Sunday afternoon.
