Roller Derby recap

I know this was last saturday, and I'm a bit late, but since its over and it really doesn't matter when this is written up, but I'm doing it now. Well me and the girlfriend headed out to Rainbow Rink early, since she really wanted to sit close, and she'll be out of town for the last match, so it was the last opportunity for the year. We get there right after doors open, and the front row is already gone and most of the 2nd row. She starts up the bleachers, but I was like there has to be 2nd row open. I go and find a whole section right in a good corner with 2nd row wide open. I get it, shes smiling, my lady can't be stuck in the bleachers I'll take her where the action is. (Where I had to hold an old lady up from ending up in my lap when a girl when right into the seats.


right on the turn

Well I saw that Mexicali Bruise was back on the Saucies and thought, this was going to be a whitewash. Boy was I wrong. This was a close and hard match. Probably one of the best I've seen. Tough clean hits. And just plain competitiveness. The dollies pulled out to a nice lead in the 2nd period. But the Saucies and they're winning ways, weren't just going to fold like a tent. They fought back, with some good jams. And after 2 periods, it was pretty much tied up.


The scoreboards are easy to read and there are 3 of them.

After a intermission from a strange band in costumes. One may have been a garbage can. The third was ready to go. The saucies undefeated streak was on the line, and the Dollies wanted to get a win in their last match, no fun going winless on the year. The same urgency and same hard play was back. These girls maybe friends, but they leave that stuff outside the rink. Its all business.


These were great seats for all the action

The time ticked away with the Dollies holding on to a couple point lead, which can evaporate with one slip. The crowd felt the urgency to score, the teams definitely felt the pressure and it provided great action. Time and Noise were exact opposites in the third period. The less time remained the louder it got. Everybody was yelling and the teams were trying strategies. Time outs were used by the dollies to rest, they were definitely gassed by the 3rd. Then into the final jam, where the Saucies pulled ahead by a point with 18 seconds left. Where the head ref stopped the bout, since it was insufficient time for a final jam. Leaving the dollies and their fans pretty ticked off.


This is where the match was called.

The Saucies celebrated knowing their final match was for the championship later in the month. Against the improved and winning Knockouts. So on May 31st at Rainbow Rink, the Queen City Roller Girls will decide which team is best. The Suicidal Saucies or Nickel City Knockouts.



Heres some highlights.

Another trip to Roller Derby

Well after missing the last bout a win by the Saucies, who haven't lost a bout yet, it was a rematch from the first bout of the year. The Nickel City Knockouts vs The Devil Dollies. So it was time to make a trip to North Tonawanda and the Rainbow Rink. We walk in and its jammed packed again. Last year, it waned in attendance as the year went on. This year, the attendance sure isn't waning.




Nope not one bit. This is turning into a very successful league who might be outgrowing its confines. I would hate for it to move to say a real hockey rink, say Buffalo Sports arena, since it may lose some of the fun closeness. Though viewing it at a hockey rink might be better viewing. I'm sure they'll be looking into new facilities next year. Plus putting it in the city, may draw even more people.

Well unlike the first bout, this wasn't going to come down to the last minute. The Knockouts took an early lead and built on it, and just kept up a solid game plan. The additions of Dewey Decimator and Ruby Revenge as jammers has made worlds of difference. With two quality jammers they are right up there with the quality of the Saucies. Who beat the Knockouts in the last bout by 21 points.


Yeah this lead would holdup

With a performance by a bagpipe band after the 1st and then a rock band after the 2nd period, theres entertainment for the entire event. Plus Baby Joe Mesi was in attendance, hey if you announce your running for state senate what do you do next? Attend a roller derby event. Well after 3 hard fought periods the Knockouts prevailed 95 -72. A big win, to have them keep pace with the devil dollies. So the standings going into the 5th bout

Saucies 2-0
Knockouts 2-1
Dollies 0-3

Next bout is May 3rd between the Dollies and Saucies. Look for a Saucy Blowout.

A Night at the Roller Derby

The Queen City Roller Girls had their first bout of the season on Saturday. You may go wait, Buffalo has a roller derby team? Yes we have a 3 team league with a 4th team in the works. This was the beginning of the 2nd season. I became aware of this league because a friend of mine was on the Nickel City Knockouts, I have even have a team shirt to show my support. They had several bouts last winter and early spring and I attended most of them, and actually became a fan. So thought why not go to this one.

Well me and the Girlfriend, who to my surprise was happy to attend this and excited. I always think people will look at you weird and go no, I'm not going to that. But we headed up to North Tonawanda to the Rainbow Rink on Oliver st. Which is a good size for this event.

The place would quickly fill up

We took our seats in the endzone area, where I think theres a good view of everything. Should have closer if I knew how many people would show up. I honestly didn't want a girl diving into me. I have a girlfriend and shes the only lady that can fall into my lap. So we waited for the bout to start.

They are giving a couch away at every bout


The teams come out together to warm up


It gets dark in there and hard to take pictures.


The Jammers take their place waiting for the whistle

The crowd at the event was really into it, many not knowing whats going on, like the guys behind me who kept asking about the rules, but were really into it. It was a close hard bout for the first two periods. With the Devil Dollies taking the early lead, but the Knockouts finding the right jammers and closing the gap and taking the lead. Red Fox and Tuesday Hula were skating very well to keep for the Dollies in the match. While it took a while for Dewey Decimator and SuperNova to really get going. The longer the match went, the tighter it got and more the crowd got into it. Official timeouts and an injury slowed things down a bit. But gave time for people to get more beer. The beer probably helped things.

The knockouts coach going over strategy in how not to lose.

The best part of the bout was watching my girlfriend get into it, and remark if she were an undergrad she would totally own this rink. Knowing her competitiveness and how shes athletic there is no doubt she would. I'm super happy she enjoyed herself, because I would love to take her again. Well the during the third, Sweets, who is a dirty player, got tossed out for shoving Tuesday Hula in the crowd. But it didn't stop the Knockouts from building a lead. They held a 16 point lead going into the last 2 minutes, where Red Fox decided to kick ass and take names and cut the lead to 3 points.

The jammers line up for the last jam of the night.

Where the Dollies lined up Her Ass Her and the Knockouts came out with Sissy Sparkles. Where I went to myself, mmm, game over Knockouts. As expected Sissy Sparkles held on to the lead and the knockouts won their first bout ever. (Went 0-4 last year) It was a great bout, close, hard fought, plenty of great hits and skating. The crowd was huge and probably made a ton of new derby fans. Really its a good time on a Saturday night.

Next bout February 2nd the "Mardi Brawl" Tickets $10 in advance $15 at the door.