Keweenaw Roller Derby jammer Luna Stormborn (center) approaches the Rockford Rage Roller Derby blocker group, ready to try to break through during a bout Saturday at the Calumet Colosseum. (Kent Kraft/For the Gazette)

CALUMET — Going into the bout Saturday, Keweenaw Roller Derby (KRD) knew they were playing a challenging opponent in the Rockford Rage Roller Derby (RRRD) squad. Ranked 85th in the North American Northeast division of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, RRRD was heavily favored.

They beat KRD 334-50 in a hard-hitting bout. When the match got underway, KRD focused on blocking, trying to keep the fast-paced jammers from RRRD from getting by.

Several players from RRRD were in Calumet just over a month ago for the KRD invitational Smackdown on the Farm. Skaters like Bratty Cake and Bride of Skatenstein already showed their speed and prowess on the oval, so KRD tried to contain them.

Four minutes in, KRD had yet to score a point, but they did manage to keep RRRD to only twelve points. Johnny Crash got lead jammer and was able to put KRD on the board, 12-2. Unfortunately, Bride of Skatenstein had a power jam a short time later, when the KRD jammer was in the penalty box, and managed to score 20 unanswered points. Thirteen minutes into the game, the score was 48-2.

A few minutes later, Bride of Skatenstein had another power jam and scored 28 points, putting RRRD over 100 points. Though KRD had managed a few more points, the score was now 102-12.

At halftime, RRRD extended their lead to 178-22. They went into the break content to continue with what they were doing. KRD hoped to find back their earlier containment efforts to see if they could bring themselves back into contention.

RRRD put together a 4-0 jam to start the second half, but then KRD’s Luna Stormborn had a power jam and scored eight unanswered points. The next jam flipped back to RRRD’s favor, 6-0. The gains were not enough for KRD, particularly after RRRD’s Bratty Cake managed a 28-0 jam. The score was 254-30 at that point.

Jammers for KRD were frequently utilizing star passes to circumvent the opposing blockers as they were constantly stymied behind the great teamwork of RRRD. Unfortunately, the heroic efforts of Pippi StrongWhomping and Jeffrey Dahminator late in the game, scoring points after taking on the role of jammer from star passes, did little to stop the point bleed to RRRD.

KRD never stopped fighting and never made excuses. Many of the familiar jammer names for KRD were unable to play tonight for a variety of reasons including KRD’s Kim Kong skating in their first competition with Team Michigan. Everyone on the KRD squad still put in maximum effort in their final home game this season.

After congratulating one another when the bout was done, MVP awards were given out. Chosen for special recognition on RRRD were Eek the Freak (jammer) and Maimie Bark (blocker). KRD standouts were Luna Stormborn (jammer) and Jeffrey Dahminator (blocker).

Up next

KRD will play their last game of the season in Duluth against Harbor City Roller Derby on Saturday, Sept. 13. Keep an eye on KRD’s website and social media pages to learn more about their schedule for next season.