Detroit, MI

By Vile Love It

The battle for 7th place in the WFTDA Playoffs Detroit between the #3 Seed Emerald City Roller Girls (#47) and the #8 Seed Sac City Rollers (#56) was typical of many of the games in this D2 Playoffs with tight packs, star passes and stashes and a late-stage come back.

Danforth Johnson

Emerald City isn’t a stranger to close games this weekend. Their loss to #6 Seed Chicago Outfit Roller Derby (# 52) in their first game of the Playoffs was a 20-point game (141-121). They had a decisive win over # 9 Seed Brewcity Bruisers (#60) (279-151) yesterday which gained them an extra game against #10 Seed Bear City Roller Derby (#61), another 20-point loss (236-216).

Sac City won their first game of the Playoffs against Brewcity 229-160 and went onto play (and lose to) the #1 Seed Nashville Rollergirls (#43) 221-151. On Saturday they lost to #5 Seed Wasatch Roller Derby (#51) (212-124).

This game saw both teams close in penalties. Emerald City’s jammers picked up eight penalties and Sac City jammers gave up seven penalties. Overall, blocker penalties were a little heavier on the Sac City side (41), compared to Emerald City’s 34. Lead jam status was also almost evenly split with Sac City earning one more than Emerald City.

Sac City controlled the scoreboard in the first period until halftime. They started the game with a very early power jam and Aleithal Weapon put 15 points on the board in the first jam. But Emerald City hit back quickly and pulled to within 1 point. And then Aleithal Weapon caught a 21-point power jam and Sac City moved into a solid lead (43-17).

Both teams were able to put out solid defense when they had 3-4 blockers on the track. When they were down to 2 (or less), it wavered and the opposition was able to take advantage. Each team also peeled off a blocker when they could to head in to play offense but, like many teams, both struggled to play offense in a coordinated and helpful manner. Sometimes they just seemed to be one more blocker in the way of the jammer.

Almost halfway through the period Emerald City, with some hard work by jammer Ogden and the Emerald defense, which held up Sac City’s Addy Kontrol, pulled to within 20 points.

With a burst of lead jam wins, and a heavy-duty power jam for Spunkee Bruzier right before the end of the half, Emerald City brought the game to a tie and the teams went into their locker rooms at 92-92.

Six minutes into the second period Emerald City was able to pull into the lead for the first time in the game. Just like Sac City did throughout much of the first period, Emerald City did its best to hold onto the lead that never quite got comfortable. And then midway through the second period Sac City locked down lead jam and with 8 in a row held Emerald City scoreless.

Halfway through that run of lead jams, Addy Kontrol took a 22-point power jam ride and catapulted her team back into the lead with a 19-point cushion.

With 6 minutes left in the game, Sac City’s Aleithal Weapon went to the box for a penalty and Emerald City, with Spunkee Bruizer wearing the star, headed out to get back into the lead. Emerald City was unable to capitalize on their advantage and by the time Aleithal Weapon returned to the track and the dust settled on the jam, the score sat at 150-173 with Sac City still in the lead.

After catching another power jam break, Emerald City pulled to within 10 points of Sac City. With seconds on the clock, Emerald City called a timeout. They put Wonder Dread out on the jammer line. Sac City’s defense went on overdrive and recycled Wonder Dread several times and, despite earning lead jam, the Emerald City defenders were not able to stop Atheithal Weapon from several scoring passes and Sac City took the win and 7th place.

Final Score

Sac City Rollers (#8) 199 7th Place
Emerald City Roller Girls (#3) 184 8th Place