The Cincinnati Rollergirls will take on the Killamazoo Derby Darlins (Kalamazoo, MI) on Saturday, May 10 in a double-header at the historic Cincinnati Gardens. Tank previews the action.

The penultimate home game of the 2014 season is upon us this Saturday night when Cincinnati takes on Killamazoo. In the past few years in television, the penultimate episodes have become the most important ones on shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad. For Cincinnati, this game is shaping up to be the most important of the home season as they take on an opponent that will most likely be vying for the same Division 2 tournament spot that they are. A win here would do wonders for Cincinnati’s rankings as well help to build confidence in the squad, where as another loss will likely result in more head-scratching and soul-searching.
Killamazoo has always been a good team. They have been overshadowed in Michigan by Detroit and arguably Grand Raggidy (whom they defeated earlier this season) for years, but make no mistake, this is a solid team that can play the sport of roller derby on a high level. I am happy to see both Javelin and Terrorhawk still on the roster and imparting knowledge to the new skaters. Currently their A Team, the Derby Darlins, are 3-6 on the season, although 3 of those losses were by less then 25 points. If they had obtained a few more lead jams here, got a power jam or two there, then you are looking at a 6-3 coming into the Gardens this Saturday night.
Before we get to the A Team game, let’s talk about the B Team game between the Killa Crew and the Violent Lambs. The Crew is 2-2 on the season and is currently on a two-game losing streak, and the Lambs are coming off a 132-point loss to Arch Rival (although the Lambs were within 4 points of ARRG near the beginning of the second half).
It’s a toss-up on who will get the win here. The Lambs will have to adjust to the losses of jammer Hot Slice and blocker Railroad, who both recently decided to hang up their skates, but on the bright side, the recently un-retired Polly Rocket makes her return to the track Saturday. The Lambs will likely continue to bet the house on their wall strategy, and a lot of what happens in this game is going to come down to who has the better athletes. Will Cincinnati be able to stay together and hold back the Crew’s jammers, or are they athletic enough to dance around the Lambs defense?
In the A Game of the night the WFTDA 56th-ranked Black Sheep take on the 52nd-ranked Derby Darlins. Killamazoo – who fell to Cincinnati last year – is favored to win this time, but with these teams being so close in the rankings and the Sheep having the home track advantage, they could pull the upset. It’s not going to be easy though, as both Sista Shovechild and Sailor Scary are unavailable for this game due to preexisting personal commitments.
This really eats into the team’s jammer corps, as more of the load will have to be shouldered by Wheezy, and we’ll likely an increased amount of reps with the jammer star for Sprint Julep, Anne Bones, Ruthless Chris and La Bruja. Cincy Psycho will make her first and likely last appearance for the Sheep as she plans to retire after this game due to a chronic knee injury. I always liked watching her on the Lambs, but I am glad she is smart enough to take care of herself and walk away while she still can.
I am also excited to see how the pack plays in this game with Hannah Barbaric adding some offensive blocking to the mix and both ¡I, Caramba! and Mirderher having solid performances in the Arch Rival game last month.
As I said in the opening paragraph, a lot is on the line in this game. With the Sheep being ranked 56th, a loss here could put them out of the playoffs, especially if their losing ways continue this summer during their travel season. We have seen moments of brilliance this year from individual players and jams where the Sheep looked amazing, but the question is, can they put together a 60-minute performance that leads to a victory? Games aren’t decided on paper, and when it comes down to it every team has a “puncher’s chance.” Hopefully, the Sheep can score the figurative knockout on Saturday night and get one in the win column in the process.
-Tank
For tickets and more information on the double-header, ’80s Night and the second annual 96ROCK .05k before the game, click here.

Cincinnati Violent Lambs vs. KIllamazoo Killa Krew

Violent Lambs: Annie Tomical 91 // Chainsaw 80 // Cherry Choke 0 // Imma Tattooher 81 // Iona Pare 8 // Jenocide 14 // Jillian Dollaz 34 // Mama Crass 26 // Obie Haive 31 // Polly Rocket 63 // Poppy Chulo 27 // Skunna Hurt 69 // Susie Shinsplinski 51 // Tru D. Vicious 19
Killa Crew: Buns n Roses 00 // Killie Holiday 1014 // Annamaul 1019 // Ophelia Plenty 1039 // Nancy Drew Blood 1157 // Bicked Witch 12 // Hilde Beast 17 // Merica 1776 // Weers Waldo 1up // Mini Muffin 23 // T Rantula 35 // Slamador Dali 411 // Sweet n Sour 555 // Levita Beaver 78 // Alternates: Stinker Belle 28 // Nikita Krushya 39

Cincinnati Black Sheep vs. Killamazoo Derby Darlins

Black Sheep: Anne Bones 77 // Big Ugly 72 // candyKICKass 32 // Cincy Psycho 99 // Hannah Barbaric 85 // ¡I, Caramba 23 // Jungle Lacy 83 // Kitten Kicker 30 // La Bruja 66 // Mirderher 44 // Nuk’em 86 // Ruthless Chris 5 // Sprint Julep 9 // Wheezy 43 // Alternate: Cherry Choke 0
Derby Darlins: Alykate Contusions 1148 // Neva 1150 // Lily St. Smear 13 // Doobie Trap 1313 // Stinker Belle 28 // The Heckler 314 // Javelin 33 // Miss B Haven 365 // Crashive Aggressive 480 // Rolla Ramher 5 // Terrorhawk 56 // Heartless Hottie 77 // Spicy Jalapeno 802 // Jessie GIrl 89 // Alternates: Buns n Roses 00 // Hilde Beast 17