From Derby News Network:

www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2008/09/09/windy_city_holds_off_rocky_mountain_9758

WCR All-Stars Hold Off Rocky Mountain, 97-58

by Anne Shank
 

DENVER, CO -- The Windy City Rollers' All Star Team made the trek to Denver, CO, to take on the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls on September 6th. Both teams had celebrated a number of victories this season – Windy City most recently over Tucson and Minnesota and Rocky Mountain over Boston and Angel City. Windy City has held a comfortable spot at #7 in the rankings for quite a while, and Rocky Mountain, currently at #12, was ready to take them on as steady climbers through the WFTDA's numbers.

The first half began with Rocky Mountain's Frida Beater on the jammer line against Kola Loka, and after Frida gained lead and called the jam off with a four point lead, things began in favor of the lower-ranked team from the Mile High City. She Who Cannot Be Named added another two points to the scoreboard while Chicago remained scoreless, but the third jam of the night saw things quickly turn around. Luscious Smacksome lined up for Rocky Mountain against Ying of Fire, only to end up in the penalty box for cutting the track. Between Ying and Kola Loka in the next jam, Windy City gathered 14 points to Rocky Mountain's 6.

Windy City continued to rack up the points steadily while keeping Rocky Mountain scoreless for six more jams until Luscious took advantage of Windy City's jammer in the penalty box, scoring two more points. With intense defense and a pack that stayed considerably fast, Windy City's blockers Malice With Chains, Megan Former and Eva Dead prevented Rocky Mountain's jammers from breaking the pack for much of the period. Halftime put Windy City at 45, Rocky Mountain 17.

While Rocky Mountain was considerably behind going into period two, it's no secret that the second half usually brings this team back stronger than ever (notable examples include their match against Rose City and, most recently, against Boston at ECE). Both teams came back steadily scoring a few points per jam in the beginning, until the seventh jam of the period where Frida took full advantage of Athena DeCrime's visit to the penalty box. In a jam that seemed to take forever, Frida scored 18 points, bringing Rocky Mountain to 47 against Windy City's 64 with ample time left on the clock and a quickly closing gap.

It was soon realized, however, that the jam really had gone on forever -- to be exact, a full minute and thirty seconds too long. Eight of Frida's points were removed, putting the actual score at Windy City 64, Rocky Mountain 39.

With more control over the pack speed and an even stronger defensive showing from Rocky Mountain thanks to blockers Madam MaimYa, Ida Hustler and Catholic Cruel Girl, the point gap continued to shrink. Frida began a promising jam with Windy City's jammer in the box, narrowing the score to 75-58 before her jammer cap managed to fall off of her helmet, leaving her unable to score. The jam came to an end, presumably due to the confusion and interference of the cap being grabbed by a blocker.

But that 17 point margin was as close as Rocky Mountain would get in the second half, as the Windy City defense clamped down for the rest of the bout, not allowing another point for the home team while WCR went on a 23-0 run to end the bout at Windy City 97, Rocky Mountain 58.

Windy City's last challenge before Eastern Regionals will be a doozy, as they go up against last year's WFTDA champs, #1 Kansas City, on Saturday, September 20 -- that game will be the final one played at Windy City's Cicero Stadium before they move to their new digs. Rocky Mountain's all-star team now looks forward to the opening day of the Western Regionals tournament on Friday, October 5, where they are the #6 seed, taking on #11 seed Houston.