Last weekend the Rose City Rollers started off Season Six at the Memorial Coliseum in front of more than 4,000 fans. Can you say AMAZEBALLS?! I don’t even know where to start! From the beginning, you say? Well sure, that sounds like a good idea.
The season opener was played in a scramble format, with four 30-minute bouts. Last season’s standings determined which teams would play one another.
HH vs. GnR:
The Heartless Heathers jumped out to a quick lead, with their jammers busting through the defensive walls of the Guns N’ Rollers. The Heathers took advantage of a power jam situation after GnR’s Havana Good Time was sent to the penalty box in jam five, giving the Heathers a 29-4 lead. By the start of jam eight, the ice queens were ahead 50-4 but Blast Unicorn’s trip to the penalty box allowed the neon-clad butt-rockers to score 18 points. But the Heathers proved to be too much for GnR, defeating them 128-37.
BB vs. HR:
The Break Neck Betties and the High Rollers battled it out in the second bout of the season opener. Both teams delivered hard hits and played well in the pack. Jammers from both teams fought hard to establish lead jam, and the lead changed several times before the final score flashed on the jumbo scoreboard. The Betties clearly had intentions of showing the world that they are better than the fourth place they earned at the end of last season, but the green-and-gold-wearing reigning champs came out on top with a 46-42 victory.
GnR vs. HR:
The Guns N’ Rollers seemed to improve their pack play, but the High Rollers’ jammers were still able to establish lead jam fairly easily, even if their jammers were coming out of the box. GnR was able to take advantage of a few power jam situations, and delivered several solid hits to the opposing skaters. BUt in the end, the High Rollers rolled to a 135-22 victory over the Guns N’ Rollers.
HH vs. BB:
The last bout of the night was perhaps the most exciting. There were numerous lead changes and BIG hits. In jam 12, the Betties were down 13-30 but Soulfearic Acid pulled out a 24-point jam to take the lead. The Heathers continued to play hard, but the Betties elevated their pack play and skated away with a 67-44 victory.
2011 Season 6 Standings:
1. High Rollers: 1-0
2. Break Neck Betties: .5-.5
3. Heartless Heathers: .5-.5
4. Guns N’ Rollers: 0-1
Notes
* With the retirement of many big-name skaters from GnR and the subsequent draft of many new, less experienced skaters (you can read about the whole skaters-going-travel-team-only thing here), it’s clearly going to be a rebuilding season for the beloved butt-rockers. But don’t let the new skaters’ bout inexperience lead you to believe that these ladies don’t have some SERIOUS talent. Not to mention, with bench coaches like Mel Mangles and Smack Ya Sideways coupled with the team’s willingness to learn and better their skills, GnR will soon be a force to be reckoned with.
* Heartless Heather newcomer, Mercy, is A BEAST. She’s got serious swag, not to mention she’s like 8 feet tall on skates. And did you see her do a snowplow stop?! Her legs practically spanned the entire width of the track!!! She is definitely going to be an asset for the Heathers.
* High Roller newcomer Napoleon Blownapart jammed her ass off, and made it look incredibly easy. She’s totes gonna be a familiar face in the jam rotation this season.
* Newly drafted Break Neck Bettie, Giv’er No Quarter was incredibly impressive in her debut. She juked and jived around some of the most experienced skaters, and she showed major grit and stamina after being hit and knocked down several times in one painfully long jam.
* Three words. Havana Good Time. Holy guacamole. If you were there, you know. If you weren’t, get your ass to the next GnR bout (Jan. 29)!
* GnR newcomer Harajuke A Girl shows incredible potential with her fast, sneaky skating and ability to take the big hits.
* The High Rollers may be ranked number one at the moment, but I have a feeling the Heathers and the Betties are going to give the reigning champs a run for their money.
xoxo
Alicia
