Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

By Vile Love It

The 1 seed DC Rollergirls (Washington, DC) and the 5 seed Chicago Outfit Roller Derby (Chicago, IL) played in a game so tight that it seemed as if they were in a scrum all the way around the track, except when each team recycled the opposing jammer and strung out the back of the pack.

The road to game number 10 went through Michigan and Germany for these two teams. Chicago lost to Killamazoo Derby Darlins in their first game on Friday and won their second game against Grand Raggidy Rollergirls Saturday morning. DC lost their Friday game against Bear City and this was their first game in the consolation bracket.

The teams are familiar with each other although this was their first official meeting. They have a game scheduled in Chicago next weekend. For Chicago, it’s going to be a chance to get some payback.

I’m really proud of our team,” said DC’s coach Grand Theft Autumn. “We’ve played so many of these teams this year that we knew coming into the tournament that the seed number really meant nothing.

“All the teams know each other well in this division and we are all evenly matched.

We were so close in our game yesterday so that today was just about pushing our momentum further. I’m happy we were able to do it for a win today.”

Chicago grabbed the early lead when DC’s Rocky Brawlboa (#K0) headed to the box on the first jam but by the end of the jam, Chicago’s Lola Blow (#138) followed her. Shortly thereafter, DC pulled into the lead and never really let it go.

Their lead was never significant enough to give a hint of blowout, or give any of their fans easy breathing. With just over 7 minutes left in the first period, Chicago pulled to within 11 points. Shortly after Bloody Elle (#901) tried to tightrope walk the inside line but finally got bumped out, though DC was able to hold their 11-point lead.

By midway through the first period Chicago was able to chip away at DC’s lead to come to within 2 points but a power jam and tight DC defense gave the team from Washington a 95-80 lead at the half.

“Our communication on the track was so good, we were talking the entire time and that really helped us defend against their offense,” said Chicago’s Lady K (#AK47).

“And our defense was so solid. We were able to hold their jammers for a long time.”

The teams had similar defensive styles, both frequently lining up in matching tripods on the start. Both teams worked offensive blocking as much as they could while both were often able to combat it.

“In the second period DC started really strong and we were getting a lot of penalties but then we cleaned it up and put in some of our strongest lines,” said Lady K said.

“We tried our hardest to come back and I think we could have won if that jammer cover pass hadn’t gotten messed up.”

Chicago mixed their team around some, jamming Susie Crotchrot (#666) who was normally a blocker as well as newcomer Ice Hurt (#15) who played her first game with the Outfit in this tournament. Meanwhile on the DC side of the track, they had lost their captain and regular jammer Frightmare to an ankle injury.

The number of overall penalties were tied at 44 each but the telling difference was the jammer penalties. Chicago had 13 to DC’s 9. DC also won the lead jam contest earning 22 lead jams to Chicago’s 18.

With less than 10 minutes left in the game, Chicago took advantage of DC’s full penalty box and brought the score to within 20 points.

A bit later, DC’S Rocky Brawlboa grabbed lead jam with the help of one of her blockers, but on her scoring pass earned a trip to the box. Chicago’s pivot was passed the jammer cover and she was able to clear through DC’s blockers and with 1:37 left on the period clock, brought the score to 177-164, DC leading.

In the last jam a confused Chicago jammer cover pass sent their pivot/jammer to the box and DC rode out the clock to the win.

Final score:

DC Rollergirls 186

Chicago Outfit 169

DC moves on to play in the 5th place game on Sunday. While Chicago will play for 7th place.