High-octane action is on the docket as squads for Arch Rival Roller Derby (ARCH) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) compete this Saturday at Midwest Sport Hockey at Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO). First whistle for the two-game donnybrook blows at 6:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In the women’s opener, the Smashinistas (2-0) battle the M-80s (0-3) while in the men’s nightcap, the defending GKRD Turf Wars kingpin Raiders of Forest Park (1-1) clashes with the Creve Coroners (1-2).
The twin bill reaches Stage 5 of each league’s six-event campaign and the teams that occupy the top two positions of each league’s hierarchy at the end of the regular season will compete at April 22’s trophy finales.
In the women’s game, the Smashies return to Ballwin following an idle February. The flat-track faction topped the defending ARCH champion Stunt Devils (249-222) in late-January to keep their record unblemished.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Five different Smashie jammers scored over 30 points in the triumph, paced by Bolt Action’s 69 and Harmony Killerbruise’s 59. Flash, Salty and Smarty McFly also had huge rotations during the evening while donning the star.
Alongside Salty and McFly, blocking will be anchored by Shimmy Hoffa, Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Rock Slobster, Rumbledore, Holliver Fist and Birdsong.
The Smashies added two skaters to their roster via a supplemental draft held last month: returning ARCH skater VanDetta VanGo and newcomer Wicked Witch of the Midwest.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Meanwhile, the M-80s have yet to record a win this season but have certainly displayed firepower. Look at it this way. Through three games, the red-flannels have collectively scored 558 points for their 186 point-per-game average. That should suffice enough for a winning record, right? Not so much in this high-scoring sport.
The M-80s fell last month to the Stunt Devils (253-230) but looked really impressive offensively in the setback. Jammer Shoulder, CO notched 104 points in the contest and BEECH, PLEASE!! added 87 while Megabirch and Branch Devereaux also contributed to the offensive rotation.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The key to a M-80s’ victory this Saturday would be a stubborn blocking battalion, paced by Fir Serious?!?, Rhino, Lumberjam , Snoop Dogwood, Pine as Buck, Jenny Loggins, Sequoia Destro-ya, Chop It Like It’s Hot, Fionna Crabapple, Twig E Smalls and Ginger.
These squads have shown this year that they can each put over 200 points on the scoreboard. It might easily be another cumulative 400-point-plus affair this weekend.
In the men’s match-up, the Raiders of Forest Park currently sit in second place in the GKRD standings at 1-1. A victory Saturday pushes them in a two-way tie with the league leading Central West Friends (2-1).
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Idle in February, the Raiders notched a 162-150 triumph over the aforementioned Friends to claim its first duke of the year.
Jamming will be paced by ScreechAround and D. Mouthful while Debaucherous Prime and Walker Hamilton assist. Blockers Spin Diesel, Nate Bower, Adam Bomb, Dr. Dredd, Arty Panimal, Slammin’ T. Killa and Hertfelder are primed to lay down the foundation. The Raiders have also recently added longtime GKRD All-Star Wrecking Bill to their line-up via a supplemental draft and his immediate impact is projected.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Meanwhile, a must-win scenario faces the Creve Coroners if they wish to reach the late-April Turf Wars’ trophy game. The medics fell to the Central West Friends (149-138) in late-February. Optimistically, if they notch a victory this weekend, they push themselves into sole possession of second place in the hierarchy and mathematically retain a fighting chance to reach their first-ever Turf Wars title game.
Jammer Magnum P.I.M.P. notched 67 points in last month’s game while The Doc recorded 43. Cat Daddy is slotted for numerous jammer rotations this weekend while blocking will be paced by Boney Fangers, Hulk, Irving, Sir Nixalot, Double Excel, Specs Offender, O’ Connell, Otter Nonsense and Shred Astaire.
This one is tough to predict and should be considered a coin-flip for derby fans.
The evening also features an exhibition by Minor Threat Junior Derby, a newly-christened league with skaters aged 16 and under.
Tickets for the event are $10 at the door while children 10 and under are free.
For more information on Arch Rival Roller Derby, go to their official website.
For more information on GateKeepers Roller Derby, go to their official website.
Arch City Sports will be on-site for Saturday’s event and will have a full report on 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.
