Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
This Saturday night, intraleague trophies will be hoisted as Arch Rival Roller Derby (ARCH) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) present their season’s respective finales at Queeny Park’s Midwest Sport Hockey (510 Weidman Road, Ballwin, MO).
Doors for the double header open at 6 p.m. and the opening whistle blows at 6:30 p.m. All tickets are $10 while children ten and under get in free.
In the ARCH women’s title game that leads off, defending league champions the Stunt Devils (2-2) aim for a “three-peat” in their meeting with the undefeated Smashinistas (4-0). In the men’s nightcap that follows, defending GKRD Turf Wars kingpins the Raiders of Forest Park (2-2) tangle with the Central West Friends (3-1).
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Earlier this month, both respective leagues’ finalists met on the flat-track and, coincidentally, the defending champions of each suffered defeat.
In the ARCH donnybrook, the Smashinistas concluded their successful undefeated regular season with a 232-207 booster over the Stunt Devils. In the 25-point duke, the Smashies utilized a 37-0 rally deep for their two-game sweep of the Stunts.
Jammer Bolt Action topped her team’s ledger with 66 points while Harmony Killerbruise added 57 and Flash and Salty contributed 43 and 42, respectively. Propelling the scoring were blockers Smarty McFly, Shimmy Hoffa, Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Rumbledore, Holliver Fist, Birdsong, Rock Slobster, Wicked Witch of the Midwest and Detta.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In order to claim their first ARCH trophy since 2014, the Smashinistas have to top their opposition that, even with a 2-2 record, still accumulated a mind-melting 220 points-per-game average heading into this weekend.
The focus of the Stunt Devils’ jamming rotation is Bricktator, who accumulated 89 points in the early-April foreshadower against the Smashies. Psychokid D’ Freakout has had numerous 50-plus point outputs during the year and both Aggie Wartooth and Violet Opposition are also capable of collecting multi-lap scores.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Imperative to the Daredevils’ third straight title is the work of the blocking schema, paced by Shear-Ra Powers, Nox, Beaver Knievel, Bruise Almighty, Fletch A Sketch, Hakuna Renata, Goldie Blocks, Pegasass, Joan of Spark, Stormin’ Norma, Wonder Thighs, Cruella Belle-ville and Hardcore Parkour.
Although the Stunts suffered a pair regular season losses to the Smashies, a Saturday victory definitely results in a scenario of “the one that laughs last laughs the loudest.”
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
That is also the narrative for the GKRD men’s local championship game. Earlier this month, the Central West Friends dismantled the Raiders of Forest Park, 149-78, resulting in a split between the two teams’ pair of games against each other during the Turf Wars regular season.
In the contest, CWF blockers Percy Controll, Monster Jam, the Great Stromboli, SoGo, Cpt. Kramerica, Thrillhouse and Yoshi helped propel a pair of 30 point rallies. Jammers Last Rites, Bower Ranger and HEYNONGMAN each scored over 40 points in the dominant duke.
The Raiders competed with a short bench three weeks ago and anticipates a full-strength line-up for the title tilt. Jamming will be paced by ScreechAround and D. Mouthful, who scored 49 and 29, respectively, last month. Blocking will be charged by Spin Diesel, Walker Hamilton, Atom Bomb, Arty Panimal, Nate Bower and Dr Dredd. Veterans Debaucherous Prime and Wrecking Bill, absent earlier this month, are expected to return.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Will Forest Park reign supreme for another title or will the Friends claim their first trophy? That question will be answered by the end of the evening.
For more information of 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 at Saturday’s twin bill and will have a full report Sunday.
