Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

By Vile Love It

The 4 seed Killamazoo Derby Darlins (Kalamazoo, MI) and the 5 seed Chicago Outfit Roller Derby (Chicago, IL) kept up the high-energy, intense derby action in the third game of the tournament. Through lead changes, solid, determined blocking and wily jamming, the Killamazoo Derby Darlins squeaked out the win in the last jam of the game and moved on to the semifinals.

Photo by Bruce Bell

In a very tight game that was tied once and a 1-point game at least twice, both teams worked their cycling, swarming defense and calculated offense against the opposing team. Penalties were evenly distributed and no players fouled out. Killamazoo took 38 penalties (6 jammer) and Chicago took 39 penalties (8 jammer). Killamazoo earned lead jam more often, which is one of the things that gave them the edge (26 over Chicago’s 19) and the win.

“We have been scrimmaging and playing teams who are ranked much higher than us to try and raise our game,” said Chicago’s Lady K (#ak47). “It has challenged us to work on specific parts of our game, for example defending against the other teams offensive blocking. Sometimes that ‘O’ can really throw you off in the middle of a jam. I feel like our defense can shut down any team but once a team starts playing offense it challenges players to have more game awareness and reform their defense quickly.”

Killamazoo took a determined control of the first part of the first period and held Chicago to four points for the first five jams, but Chicago was not deterred. Chicago took full advantage of their power jams and pack advantage as the Killamazoo blockers spent time in the box and by halfway through the period, had pulled ahead by two points.

Shortly after, on a 30-point power jam, Chicago mainstay jammer Lola Blow (#138) pulled her team into the lead with a 20-point cushion.

The score stayed close throughout the rest of the first period with Chicago in the lead and Killamazoo coming close. With three minutes left in the first period, Killamazoo’s Heckler (#314) headed to the box leaving Lola Blow to a power jam. Killamazoo was able to limit the damage and on the next jam, pulled to within 8 points to end the half 87-95, Chicago lead.

Early in the second period, Killamazoo pulled forward to tie the game and then with some quick, agile footwork by Jessie Girl (#89) they took an 11-point lead. The Outfit called a time out, but it didn’t stop the Killamazoo derby train and they kept up the pressure.

But Chicago might have been down points, but they were not out of the game by a long stretch. Halfway through the second period, Chicago’s Lola Blow was given another power jam while Killamazoo lost three of its blockers. She zipped around the track with little opposition and collected enough points to bring it back to a 1-point game.

“We changed our jammer line up four times during this game to be as versatile as we needed to be,” said Killamazoo’s Neva. “We try to adjust as needed throughout our games, for example, one of our PBJs [pivot-blocker-jammer] took over for me towards the end of the game because I had six penalties. We do our best to figure out what we need to do for that specific game or that line.”

With less than 8 mins left in the bout the score stood at 162-145 with Killamazoo in the lead. But anyone knows, a 17-point lead with 8 minutes left is no guarantee of a win. Chicago knew what it took and they clamped down on the defense as their jammers scored on a handful of hit-it-and-quit-it jams and brought the score to 162-154.

Six minutes showed on the period clock and an 8-point score differential. Killamazoo had the pack advantage in the 4-3 pack but Chicago got the power jam. Chicago’s The Joan Ranger (#14), carefully worked her way through the pack but a whistle blew and she went to the box on a low block just as Killamazoo’s Alykate Contusions (#1148) returned. By the time the dust settled, both jammers collected 15 points each and the score sat at 177-169 with Killamazoo in the lead.

With 3:30 left in the bout, both teams picked up the pace and intensity (which was difficult to do given how intense the game already was). Killamazoo kept their blockers on the track while Chicago lost two blockers to the box and they were unable to contain Killamazoo’s jammer.

The clock wound down on the last few jams while Killamazoo picked up speed and Chicago’s jammer went to the box along with two of her blockers. Going into the last jam the score stood at 193-177. Killamazoo wasn’t breathing easy, and Chicago wasn’t counting themselves out.

Killamazoo’s Heckler won lead jam and when the period clock ran out she called off the jam and celebrated with her team as they move on.

Final Score

(4) Killamazoo Derby Darlins 203
Chicago Outfit Roller Derby 191

Killamazoo moves on to play Bear City Roller Derby (Berlin, Germany) in the semifinals Saturday. Chicago Outfit moves on to the consolation bracket.