Tucson, AZ

By Lexistential Crisis

Arizona Roller Derby (Seed #8) of Phoenix, Arizona and Mad Rollin’ Dolls (Seed #9) of Madison, Wisconsin have not played each other since 2011. With rankings of 31 and 34 the second game of the 2015 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs in Tucson promised to be a well-matched battle between two original WFTDA member leagues. Throughout the game, Madison kept their players on the track as they only committed 26 penalties total compared to the 63 committed by Arizona. This difference worked out in Madison’s favor despite how well Arizona’s blockers were able to perform offense and defense with just two or three blockers.

Photo by Donna Olmstead

Most jams began with jammers pushing hard into the seams of slow, braced walls. Each side found success in controlling the pack speed, but Madison’s jammers were more successful in earning lead jammer status. There were five lead changes with Arizona ultimately outscoring Madison despite a much higher penalty count in the first half. They illustrated their defensive strength with just a few blockers on the track multiple times, including when Blok N Dekher and Deez Nutz held back the Madison jammer during a power jam in the 6th jam of the game. In the following jam, well-timed offense allowed Luz Chaos to spin through the pack and bring Arizona to their largest lead of the game with 42 points to Madison’s 16. Madison’s defense and two penalties for Arizona’s jammers halted their scoring for the next three jams. Mouse, Magic Missile, and Sproutn’ A Tail all earned lead and brought Madison within five points of Arizona’s lead halfway through the first half with a score of 42-37.

Two large jams followed after jammer penalties occured for both teams. First, Arizona’s blockers Ginger Reeking Havoc, Toaster, Cannibelle Corpse, and Blok N Dekher held Ladie Who-Ha on her initial pass for most of the two-minute jam until she passed the star to pivot Darling Nikki who quickly committed a forearm penalty. Rammz scored 15 points for Arizona while Madison’s offense was locked down. Then Madison’s Shananaguns, Glock Ness, Thrill Show, and Fang Dangled held together a strong wall to prevent Luz Chaos from legally escaping the pack in the next jam. She committed a cutting penalty during her initial pass and, despite also committing a penalty, Mack the Knife was able to score 18 points to once again bring Madison within five points of Arizona with 55 points to Arizona’s 60. Two jams later, with six minutes left in the half, Madison took a lead of 68-66 after taking advantage of a forearm penalty on Arizona’s jammer. They maintained a lead until the last jam of the half when Arizona’s R2DEATH2 scored 29 points to bring the score to 113-95.

Photo by Donna Olmstead

Unlike most of the first half, lead jammer status was earned quickly during the first three jams of the second half. Madison created the first of seven lead changes in the half when Magic Missile sprinted through the pack almost untouched to earn 17 points and make the score 117-119. The score stayed within three points for the next 10 minutes of the game, as both teams rediscovered their solid, reinforced defensive walls. After five more tiny lead changes, Luz Chaos earned 10 points for Arizona and earned a lead of 146-134. Arizona held the lead for the next six jams. In the final eight minutes of the game, penalties created problems for Arizona and gave Madison the space they needed to open up a large lead.

Arizona’s top-scoring jammer Luz Chaos spent three jams in and out of the box with four penalties (cutting, illegal reentry, high block, forearm). Many Arizona blockers also committed penalties which gave Madison’s blockers the space to make openings for Ladie Who-Ha to score 30 points. Mack the Knife and Mouse added 13 points to bring Madison into the lead with a score of 155-194. With about three minutes on the clock, Arizona’s second highest scoring jammer, R2DEATH2, committed a forearm penalty that was later upgraded to an expulsion. Magic Missile added another 19 points to Madison’s score to give them a 56-point lead. Sproutn’ A Tail earned lead jammer status in the final jam and allowed the period clock to run down to zero. While both jammers were scoring, the jam ended and Madison won the game with a score of 171-221.

Madison moves on to play Victorian Roller Derby League in a rematch of a game from last year’s D1 Playoffs in Charleston tonight at 6:00 pm MST. Arizona will play either Arch Rival or Team United in the consolation bracket tomorrow at 10:00 am MST.

Final Score

Mad Rollin’ Dolls (#9) 221
Arizona Roller Derby (#8) 171