Montréal, QC

By Whacks Poetic

The final game of Saturday night at 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Montréal saw two original WFTDA member leagues meet for the very first time in their illustrious derby history. The Dallas Derby Devils from Dallas, Texas, USA were riding a high from their dominating play over Kallio Rolling Rainbow from Helsinki, Finland. The Detroit Derby Girls had over 24 hours off to recover from their brutal loss to London Rollergirls from London, England, UK last night. While both teams looked to be struggling with fatigue, the Dallas Derby Devils built up enough of a lead that a last quarter surge from Detroit was not enough, taking the win 206-171.

By Artsy Choke

In Game 11 of the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Montréal, the hosting league, Montréal Roller Derby from Montréal, QC, Canada, played against London Rollergirls from London, UK in this first game of the day between two non-U.S. teams. The game determined who will fight for first place on Sunday, leaving the winners with an automatic place for the 2016 International WFTDA Championships in Portland, Oregon. London had taken the win when the two teams played each other earlier this year in May in Helsinki, Finland, with a score of 208-78.

By Whacks Poetic

Rocky Mountain Rollergirls from Denver, Colorado, USA came into their consolation bracket semi-final at the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Montréal well rested, having not played since yesterday. Boston Roller Derby from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, however, had to play this morning for the chance to compete in this game — besting the Sun State Roller Girls from Brisbane, Australia by one point in the final jam. Both original WFTDA teams are in re-building stages and were hoping to prove that they are on the upswing. Winning this game would mean a chance at improving their ranking from their seeding into this tournament. Boston will get such a chance to do so, playing in the 5th place tomorrow after winning 181-164.

By Shelly Shankya

Texas Rollergirls of Austin, Texas, USA (seed #2, WFTDA #6) took a firm stance against the skaters from Bay Area Derby of San Francisco, California, USA (#3) in Game 9 of the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Montréal. With jammers who managed to sneak to the outside of the BAD’s walls, the godmothers of roller derby assured their spot in the Championship game with a 227-81 win.

By Whacks Poetic

Both Dallas Derby Devils from Dallas, Texas, USA and Kallio Rolling Rainbow from Helsinki, Finland faced disappointing losses yesterday to end up in this consolation bracket game today at 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Montréal. While Kallio was very successful at attaining lead jammer status, their jammer penalties cost them whatever advantage they had gained against Rocky Mountain Rollergirls. Dallas looked strong yesterday against Montréal Roller Derby, but Montréal’s commitment to offense at jam starts interfered with their ability to set up their defense. Both teams were looking to tweak what hadn’t worked yesterday and stay out of the ninth place game tomorrow. Despite definite improvement from Kallio, Dallas would live to play again tonight, winning 181-81.