After many months battling teams from across the country, our veteran skaters joined forces with the 2008 rookie class for the opening of the new season of Minnesota Roller Girls roller derby at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. What we saw Sunday night painted a clear picture of who might dominate the 2008 season–but promises two months of scramble as each team fights to leave a mark.
We had two bouts, each with two 20 minute periods (Rockits vs. Atomic Bombshells and Garda Belts vs. Dagger Dolls). The Rockits were returning an entirely veteran roster of high minded and hard nosed skaters. They won the 2006 Golden Skate championship, but were destroyed in the final bracket last season by a staked team of Bombshells. But after a few shake-ups in the Bombshells roster, this has become somewhat of a rebuilding year for the orange team. Joining their roster are six new skaters (Calamity Crush, Bad Dream, Racy Roughles, Punishment Patty, Sugar Cain and Chinese Take Out). The Garda Belts have maintained a reputation for a rough, physical style of play, earning both fans and foes among roller derby fans. Several rookies from last season (Suzie Smashbox and Demora Liza) have earned respect for their dedication and hustle on the rink. Fans should keep their expectations high for these ladies in their sophomore season. The Dagger Dolls have proven they can pull out a power play at the right moment, and their unpredictable antics have earned them many fans and a couple trips to the championship (and many penalties).
The Rockits / Bombshells battle was a much anticipated rematch of last year’s championship. The Bombshells were skating without all-star 1-900 Lady Killher (who is resting some nagging injuries) and two strong personalities from last season (Velvet Hammer and Dragon Chaos). The Rockits lost the championship last year. They are eager to prove they can win it back.
In the first period, the Rockits showed they wanted to play a “thinking” game. In every jam, the Rockits managed the clock and kept the score low, giving up lead jammer to the Bombshells just three times in two periods. We saw several jams where Harmony Killerbruise or Dudezilla would seize lead jammer and immediately call it off with out any scoring attempts. The fans loved the face-off betweens Lizzie the Ax and Jawbreaker. When the Rockits weren’t milking the hands of time, they were depending on Jawbreaker to run up the score while their defense (led by pivots Couchie Coup and Rizzo and ruthless blockers like Honeydew Felon) slammed the door on Lizzie the Axe. No Bombshell jammer was able to crack the code of Rockits defense. They used sprightly positional blocking and clean hits that sent the jammers out of scoring range. The Bombshells played a much more physical game. Rear blocker Mitzie Massacre was tallied at 8 body blocks and three jammer take downs. Marilyn Monrouge made several trips to the penalty box in her desperate attempts to throw limbs in the direction of Jawbreaker, but the timing of their defensive approach did not hold back the Rockits jammers for long.
The unfocused blocking of the Bombshells created problems in the 2nd period, as their jammers were in the box at key many moments. From the first jam, with Vuedoo Prodigy unopposed on the jamming line, the gap widened in favor of the Rockits. The Bombshells had a thrilling power surge in the last five minutes when co-captain Cleosplatra nabbed lead jammer. She was followed by Lizzie the Axe, continuing their momentum and wowing the fans. But Jawbreaker and Dudezilla sealed the deal in the last three jams. Jawbreaker was the high scorer with 33 points in seven jams. The Rockits razor sharp strategy proved near flawless. The final score was 75 to 21.
Rookie Bombshell, Chinese Take Out, was named the Pizza Luce Player of the Game. She demonstrated clear hustle on the front line, fearlessly taking on the Rockits jammers, tag teaming with The Bonesetter. She showed keen derby smarts and stayed firm on her skates.
The real thrills of the evening were in the Dagger Dolls and Garda Belts match-up. The Garda’s blocking formation was fierce and quick, spinning the action around within the pack. Hannabelle Lector and Optimiss Crime tossed around the Dagger Dolls jammers, each accumulating four jammer take downs, while their Jammers, Angel Fire and Suzie Smashbox, put points on the board. However the Dagger Dolls were able to keep the margin narrow, never dipping far below the Garda’s. Big jams by Rebel Stella and Sparkle Ninja kept the action even and exciting.
The Garda Belts were ahead at the top of the 2nd period, but something magical must have happened in the Dagger Dolls locker room (something beyond the usual pixie sticks and lolli-pops). In the second jam of the period, Mary Tyler Roar stepped up to the line jamming line, scored six points and ignited the Dagger Dolls offence. She was followed by Rebel Stella and Scootaloo, each grabbing lead jammer and pushing the Dolls to a six point lead. These points were answered by Suzie Smashbox, and the Garda’s were back on top. The Dolls defense stepped up, playing unusually rough. Barbie Brawl and Lydia Punch nailed five jammer take downs, railing hard on rookie Garda Belt jammer Dieanne Isis and captain Rumble Bee. Tiki Torture retaliated and pulled Candy Pain to the floor in the final seconds. The period clock ran out with the score tied at 62 to 62.
The Roy Wilkins Crowd has never seen a tie breaker play out by the new WFTDA regulations. Still dizzy from the escalating tension of last period, the crowd hung on breathlessly for the two more minutes, as Suzie Smashbox and Rebel Stella took the line. According to the regulations, in a tie-breaker there is to be no lead jammer. Each jammer attempts to lap as many of the opposing teams skaters as possible in two minutes. Tragedy struck for the Garda fans, as Suzie was sent to the box on accumulated minors, already having scored four points. Rebel Stella skated gracefully to victory and a bout total of 26 points in 7 jams. The Garda Belts felt the sting, realizing too late that Suzie was in contention of a major penalty. Had they put another jammer on the line, the outcome of the final minutes may have been different. Suzie ended the evening with an impressive 33 points in nine jams. The final score was 68 to 66.
Dagger Doll Scootaloo was named the Pizza Luce Player of the Game, scoring a total of 13 points in four jams, nailing four jammer take outs and skating her cleanest game to date (no minor penalties).
Hold your breath for more Minnesota Rollergirls action. On March 8th the Dagger Dolls will take on the Atomic Bombshells and the Garda Belts will stare down the Rockits.
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thank you, dude