A brand new season of flat-track action is ready to be unleashed this Saturday for the local squads of St. Louis-based Arch Rival Roller Derby and GateKeepers Roller Derby.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The women’s and men’s twin bill at Midwest Sport Hockey at Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO) begins at 6:30 pm and features re-matches of last season’s trophy tilts.
The defending ARCH “queenpins,” the Smashinistas, collide with the high-scoring Stunt Devils in the evening’s opener while the GKRD “Turf Wars” champ, the Central West Friends, tangles with the Raiders of Forest Park.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Per custom, a six-event regular season will find each league’s three local squads competing in head-to-head battles and, with its conclusion, the top two teams in their respective standings will face off in a championship game held in late-April 2018.
Predicting a favorite in both games Saturday is difficult. After winning the ARCH title in April, the Smashinistas saw euphoria turn to cold reality as the team saw four key starters hang up their quads locally.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
That being said, numerous components that was vital to last season’s winning campaign return to the fold, especially in the blocking schema. Veterans Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Smarty McFly, Professor Rumbledore, Girl Fawkes, Rock Slobster, Holliver Fist, Birdsong and Wicked Witch of the Midwest are primed to build and support the walls needed for success.
Meanwhile, jammers Bolt Action and Flash will be looking for productive outputs from the onset.
The Smashies replenished their line-up with a solid draft held last month that immediately results in additional firepower. Dual threat Vicious VanGoGo hoisted WFTDA international hardware with legacy franchise Gotham Rollergirls while Northern Illinoisans Lola Blow and Hero Shima have performed on the playoff level with the Chicago Outfit.
Newcomers Spock N’ Roll, Poison Ivy and Outlaw Josie Wheels will be making their ARCH local debuts this Saturday night.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Conversely, last year’s runner-up, the Stunt Devils, only lost a pair of skaters from last season’s packed charter. The main addition during the aforementioned draft was highly-coveted blocker Lethal Dose, a transfer from the Chicago Outfit.
She will compliment an already seasoned blocking battalion that includes returnees Cruella Belle-ville, Hardcore Parkour, Fletch-A-Sketch, Pegasass, Nox, Hakuna Renata, Bruise Almighty, Joan of Spark and Wonder Thighs.
Subsequently, the daredevils will lay down the foundation for jammers Psychokid D’ Freakout, Aggie Wartooth and Ultraviolet.
The women’s battle will provide an early glimpse to a competitive local season that also involves the rapidly-rising M-80s.
Numerous games last season were determined in the final rotations. Expect the same this Saturday.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Meanwhile, the men’s game features squads have that have each claimed the GKRD crown and aim to snare an early advantage in three-team standings this cycle. The Friends field the steady blocking schema of Percy Controll, Monster Jam, the Great Stromboli, SoGo, Cpt. Kramerica, Thrillhouse, Quadratic Evasion and Yoshi while scoring is achieved by jammers Bower Ranger, Last Rites and Bruno Scars.
The Raiders counter with blockers Spin Diesel, Atom Bomb, Arty Panimal, Slammin’ T. Killa, Dr. Dredd and Wrecking Bill while jammers A. Black and Mouthful look to snare points. Newcomers to the squad are Woolsy Mammoth, Mud, Cunningham and Carly Slay Jepsen.
Tickets for Saturday’s doubleheader at the door are $12 while children 10 and under get in free. Adult tickets purchased in advance online at Brown Paper Tickets are $10 while groups of six and more can get a ticket for $8. A seven-game season pass that includes a free ARCH t-shirt is available for $70. VISIT THIS LINK for online discounts.
For more information on ARCH, go to THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
For more information on GKRD, go to THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
Arch City Sports will be at Saturday’s doubleheader and will have a full recap on Sunday.
