Detroit, MI

By Shelly Shankya

The Midnight Terror of Wasatch Roller Derby (#5) used clean skating and double-digit point-scoring power jams to defeat the skaters from Sac City (#8) in Game 10 of the 2015 International WFTDA Division 2 Playoffs.

Photo by Danforth Johnson

Coming off two close losses in opening play on Friday, both Wasatch and Sac City had their sights set on playing in the fifth place game on Sunday. Only one team, however, would have that honor. In this case, that honor went to Wasatch, the team that skated a consistent jammer rotation with clean blocking and only three jammer penalties. During the six jammer penalties that Sac City accrued in the first period, Wasatch scored 62 of their 104 points of the period. Sac City, on the other hand, only managed to steal nine points during the three power jams afforded them by Wasatch.

Both teams used their official reviews during the period, as well; one was successful, the other was not. Sac City asked for an official review with 13:30 remaining to have the officials consider a non-call on the Wasatch jammer, Sookie Slaphouse, who made contact with a skater while attempting an apex jump. The non-call was overturned, and Sac City won their official review. However, Wasatch’s tight defense, led by blockers Penny Slain and Colonel Skirts, kept Sac City scoreless in the following jam. Wasatch also asked for an official review during the period, but it failed. The period ended with Wasatch at nearly double the points of Sac City: 104-53.

With only three double-digit jams in the second period, the teams volleyed points between one another, but Sac City was unable to gain strong enough footing to make a comeback. The ladies from Sacramento, however, were able to get an official review ruling that allowed them a chance to score 18 points. The official review came in the third jam against Wasatch jammer Stache Bot who committed a back block on a Sac City blocker. That official review was the only thing that truly went in Sac City’s favor during the second period as Wasatch managed to keep Sac City scoreless for a total of 12 of the 27 jams, allowing them to score 71 points. Wasatch doubled their score in the second period despite having penalty problems.

Wasatch Roller Derby (#5) defeated Sac City Rollers (#8) 212-124. Wasatch will go on to play for a chance to maintain their seed in the fifth place game against the winner of Game 11 on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Sac City will play for seventh place against that loser of Game 11 on Sunday at noon.

FINAL SCORE

Sac City Rollers (#8) 124
Wasatch Roller Derby (#5) 212