Salem, OR

Toronto's CN Power upsets Boston Massacre in nailbiter bout

By Shelly Shankya

Toronto Roller Derby (10 seed, rank 39) took first lead jammer status in the final game of Day 2 at 2013 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Salem against the Boston Derby Dames (6 seed, rank 23) in what was a fast-paced bout for a chance to play in the Fifth Place game on Day 3. After lead changes galore, Toronto Roller Derby’s CN Power came out on top, narrowly defeating the Boston Massacre, 204-198.

The first half of the game featured several back-and-forth jams, the lead regularly changing between these two teams. Boston’s Space Invader worked tirelessly to gain points off of Toronto’s jammer, while CN Power’s Bala-Reina lapped the pack on a few occasions. Reina’s speed and agility gave Toronto the first semi-substantial lead in the game at 44-19 with 19 minutes left in the first. A power jam for Boston after Reina’s run put Boston back on top, 49-44. The intensity was palpable as the teams traded power jams and slim leads.

Bob Ayers

Boston used one of their team’s timeouts in the first period, after a CN Power power jam put Toronto up 73-61. Despite Flyin’ King’s lead jammer status, Toronto still managed to eke out two points, keeping the point differential as tight as the points on the scoreboard. The half ended with Toronto up by only 17 points, 103-86.

Coming back from the half, Boston grabbed lead jammer and then a power jam off of CN Power’s Bambi, coming close to evening the score 107-106 in favor of Toronto. The solid defense from both teams, Boston led by Shark Week and Lois Carmen Dominator, and Toronto’s blockers Bruiseberry Pie and Dyna Hurtcha, managed to hold opposing jammers back, keeping the jammers back from making substantial gains. At one point, Toronto pulled away again, 137-108, making the point differential 29 points, but Boston’s Space Invader managed to close the differential to 27 points with 15 minutes left in the period.

Boston’s jammer Lil’ Paine closed the gap officially and put the Boston Massacre up by 14 points, 177-163, followed by more points from Boston jammer Maya Mangleyou, giving Boston a 23-point lead over the ladies from Toronto. With only four minutes left in the game, Toronto grabbed the lead again, 188 to Boston’s 186. As the clock wound down, the aggressiveness and intensity mounted, the score changing hands repeatedly. In the last jam Toronto’s Bambi got lead, making the gap more difficult for Boston’s Space Invader to overcome. Bambi called the jam with her team up and less than 30 seconds left on the period clock. Boston was out of timeouts and had previously used their official review for the period, so the game ended there. Toronto pulled out the win 204-198 in the final jam.

Final Score

(10) Toronto Roller Derby 204
(6) Boston Derby Dames 198

Toronto advances to play for fifth place against Victoria Roller Derby League at 2 p.m. Pacific. Boston Derby Dames continue to play for seventh against Sacred City Derby Girls on Sunday at noon, Pacific time.