The weather in Atlanta is warming up and the ferocity on the track is getting hot! March’s doubleheader gave us round two of our home team showdowns on the way to the Championship game. Whether you’re a fan of breath holding and point counting to determine the winner after the last jam of the game or watching one of our favorite skaters come back to the track and remind us why she’s a fan favorite, this double header had something for everyone. Ramblin Wrecker brings us the recap of both exciting games!
Game 1: Demons vs Shocks
There’s very little in derby that’s more exciting than a game that comes down to the last jam, and the Demons and Shocks delivered that excitement in a big way last weekend! The Demons, led by captain Human Missile Crisis, got off to a quick start. They earned lead in five of the first nine jams and passed the star in two more to build up a 33 point lead! Never a team to give up easily, the Shocks found their stride, earning lead in the next ten jams in row and whittling the score deficit down to just five points before the Demons pulled away on a power jam to lead at halftime 79-57. The Demons’ solid play continued into the second half, including the quick and effective use of star passes to pivots Cancer Candy and Rosie Derivator, which limited the damage done by Shocks jammers, but it seemed like nothing could stop recent Shocks transfer Instant Karma, who racked up 65 points in the second half alone. A final 16 point jam from Karma gave the Shocks the lead (for only the second time in the game) with less than two minutes on the clock. Under pressure, the Demons turned to Crisis, who pulled out a 22 point power jam against the fearsome duo of Afro Dykee and pivot Baller Shot Caller to ice the game for the team in blue.
Final Score: Demons- 175, Shocks- 171
Fan Favorite: Instant Karma
Shocks MVP Blocker: Owl B. Merciless
Shocks MVP Jammer: Afro Dykee
Demons MVP Blocker: Erykah Ba-Doozie
Demons MVP Jammer: Human Missile Crisis
Game 2: Stix vs Sakes
The reigning 2016 home team champion Apocalypstix were in winning form for game two on Saturday night. The Sakes jumped out to an early lead in the first jam, but it would be their only lead of the game. Despite losing jammer High Jinxx to an ankle injury on her very first jam of the night, the Stix jumped out to a 56 point lead by midway into the half. Thanks to a huge two minute jam from Dr. Evil and locked-down defense led by Desi Scarnaz, Koko and Maul E Cule, the Sakes climbed back into striking distance by halftime. Tight defense took a penalty toll on both teams, with two players from each team entering the half with three or more box trips, and the Stix’ Madditude Adjustment only two penalties away from fouling out of the game. Dr. Evil started the second half on a tear, getting lead her first five times on the track, but with solid defense led by The Ruffian and Queen Loseyateefa and quick offense from Blaque Jac, the Stix were able to limit her scoring to only 13 total points during that run. Meanwhile, Stix jammers kept adding on four point passes and eating away at the clock. By the time Hermione Danger called off the final jam, the Stix were up by 75 without scoring more than ten points in any single jam in the second half.
Final Score: Apocalypstix- 198, Sakes- 123
Fan favorite: Turbo Royale
Sakes MVP Jammer: Dr. Evil
Sakes MVP Blocker: Desi Scarnaz
Stix MVP Jammer: Hermione Danger
Stix MVP Blocker: The Ruffian
If you missed these games, worry not! You can catch the Denim Demons take on the Sake Tuyas and the Rumble Bs play against Greenville at our next home game, Apr 22nd! We hope to see you there!
