2018 Playoffs A Coruña Game 1: Philly vs. Stockholm
Philly Roller Derby (Seed #8, WFTDA #21) vs Stockholm Roller Derby (Seed #9, WFTDA #23)
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Philly Roller Derby and Stockholm Roller Derby kicked off the 2018 WFTDA International WFTDA Playoffs A Coruña in a game that didn’t always look tight on the scoreboard, but was often a grueling game for both teams. Philly held the lead for the whole game, although sometimes by a slight margin, and came out the winner.
#sandsunderby A Coruña #WFTDAPlayoffs venue 😎 pic.twitter.com/C3Cp0cKEGw
— just Alice 🤷🏻♀️✨ (@bossybigeyes) August 31, 2018
The gentle morning sunshine bathed the beautiful venue in A Coruña while both teams worked the lines to keep their opposition in check. Philly had early success keeping Stockholm from scoring with their tight, slow defense that robbed Stockholm’s nimble jammers from the lines they often love. Apex jump after apex jump was denied.
But Stockholm didn’t let that deter them and 10 minutes into the first period they had pulled to within one point of Philly. It would be the closest they came to taking the lead the entire game.
Jammer penalties plagued Stockholm in the first period and, for the most part, Philly was able to keep their jammers out of the box. Between the power jams and the defense, Philly held Stockholm scoreless for eight consecutive jams and increased their lead to 71-30 with eight minutes left in the first period.
An opportune jammer penalty against Philly’s Stella Mac gave Stockholm a much-needed power jam. Lil Slinky was able to use her speed to put the first points on the board for Stockholm in several minutes and it seemed like the tide would turn in Stockholm’s favor. The half ended with Philly in the lead by 27 points.
Good morning from Philadelphia where we’re cheering on the Liberty Belles in A Coruña! Belles are looking strong and focused & lead 66-30 with 10 min left in the first half. #wearephilly #Talk2WFTDA
— Philly Roller Derby (@prdskates) August 31, 2018
Philly kept their strategies in the second period similar to the first. The jammers did their best to power through Stockholm’s defense, and their blockers worked to steal away Stockholm’s speed. Slow and controlled worked in Philly’s favor. Stockholm tightened and slowed their defense in the second period, and caught and held Philly’s jammers more often and for longer periods.
If the first period saw very few high scoring jams, the second period saw plenty of them. Stockholm’s Party-o had success meeting power with power and was able to break through Philly’s walls, and Lil Slinky gave up on the apex jumps and leapt over the outside line down the straightaway for some of her points.
Stockholm have had a tough first half but still in it thanks to power jams. Still feels like an El Slinky show might be just around the corner to rack up some mega points #derbytwitter #talk2WFTDA
— Derby on Toast (@mjjwatson) August 31, 2018
With about five minutes left in the game Party-o grabbed 20 points and brought Stockholm to within 17 points. But Philly’s calm and decisive play kept them in the lead and denied Stockholm the win.
Philly Roller Derby advances to play Arch Rival Roller Derby (Seed #1, WFTDA #5) Friday at 6 p.m. Central European Time. Stockholm Roller Derby will play the losing team of Game 3 on Saturday, either the Santa Cruz Derby Girls (Seed #6, WFTDA #16) or the Paris Rollergirls (Seed #11, WFTDA #30).
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