Positional placement in the standings and potential trophy berths are up for grabs this weekend as the regular seasons continue for the Arch Rival Roller Girls and GateKeepers Roller Derby.
Saturday’s main event for the women at Midwest Sport Hockey (570 Weidman, Ballwin, MO) features the M-80s (1-1) butting heads and quads against the Smashinistas (1-2) while the men’s opener pits the Raiders of Forest Park (2-1) against the Creve Coroners (0-2). The derby double header’s first whistle blows at 6:30 p.m.
The two flat-track leagues are in event number five of their respective six-event regular season schedules and April’s championship complexion might become clearer with the ensuing results.
Photo credit: Bob Dunnell
On the ARRG side, it’s a must-win situation for the Smashinistas this weekend if they want to have a shot at the trophy in two months. The camo-clad troopers fell to the Stunt Devils (2-1) by three points last month at Queeny Park and need a victory Saturday to keep the post-season dream alive.
They certainly possess the firepower to notch the win. Jammer Harmony Killerbruise scored 84 points last month and is projected to lead the charge. EnYa Nightmare and Flash are also primed for solid rotations.
Blocking is paced by Shimmy Hoffa, Fletch-A-Sketch, Chewblocka, Party RockHer, Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Girl Fawkes, Salty, Party McFly, Bad Mutha T and KannabisKorpse. The battalion must perform at its highest level this weekend for a loss, mathematically, eliminates them from April’s title game.
Conversely with victory, the Smashies finish the regular season 2-2 and maintain a mathematical chance to compete for the championship.
Photo credit: Bob Dunnell
On the flip side, the M-80s were idle last month but utilized the free time to simultaneously rest up and scout out. Jamming is paced by D’Manda Flapjack, who notched 109 points in her last game. The firecrackers utilized six jammers in their January tussle with the Stunt Devils as Paul Funyun, Let’s Get Beard, Snotface, Bloody Gaga and Warpath O’ Jen also had turns with the star on the helmet while also turning lengthy minutes in a blocking capacity.
Blockers-by-trade Oak, C’mon!?!, Bad Adze, Arcane Sugar, Jenforcer, Quicksandz, Trigger Happy Jackie and Yoko Low Blow will assist in the offense. Making her ARRG debut this Saturday will be blocker Molotov, who comes to the league after seasons spent with Cape Girardeau Roller Derby and the Southern Illinois Roller Girls.
Long story short, if the “lumberjills” chop down the Smashies Saturday and log a win, they secure a trophy bid. Conversely if they fall to defeat, the M-80s will find themselves literally behind the proverbial “8-ball” and will have to win its March game against the Stunts, who topped them earlier this season, if they want to potentially return to the title picture.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
For the GateKeepers, the “Turf Wars” local campaign was sent into a spin last month as a result of the Raiders of Forest Park’s 175-104 victory over previously-unbeaten Central West Friends. The 71-point duke pushed the Raiders’ record to 2-1 and a tie with CWF for the top spot in the GKRD standings.
Raiders jammers Mouthful and A. Black notched 65 and 51 points, respectively, while blocking, paced by Spin Diesel, Atom Bomb, Wrecking Bill, Bower, Dr. Dredd, Oxford Coma, Mueller, Arty Panimal and Slammin’ T. Killa, kept perpetual pressure against the CWF.
The Raiders aim for a third straight win and ensuing league championship berth on Saturday.
The Creve Coroners have yet to record victory this season but have shown steady improvements as the months have progressed and are poised to notch a standings’ upset and put pressure on the hierarchy.
Veteran jammer Magnum P.I.M.P. notched 63 points in his last game while Indy and Jagged Little Will each contributed 28. Newly-acquired jammer The Doc last operated with Texas Men’s Roller Derby and is looking to make an immediate impact in his GKRD debut. Blockers Boney Fangers, Hulk, Specs Offender, Irving, O’ Connell, Crazy Kid Curry and Cat Daddy are ready to set up the foundation.
The Coroners look to send the Raiders to the ER and put the Turf Wars hierarchy on life-support with victory.
Tickets are $10 either at the door or by going to THIS LINK. Children 10 and under get in free. St. Louis-based power rockers Bruiser Queen will perform during the evening.
For more information on the Arch Rival Roller Girls, go to archrivalrollergirls.com.
For more information on GateKeepers Roller Derby, go to stlgatekeepers.com.
Arch City Sports will have full recaps of both games 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.
