Bout Recap: Tri-City 197, Furies 195; Saucies 202, Dollies 116

NORTH TONAWANDA — In a close bout that saw several second-half lead changes, the Lake Effect Furies fell by two points to the visiting Tri-City Thunder (Kitchener, ON), 197-195. Meanwhile, in their 8th annual Hell On Wheels matchup, the Saucies sped to a 202-116 win behind a dominant second half.

Coming into the bout ranked 8 slots behind Tri-City (50th vs 42nd in the March 2014 WFTDA Rankings), the Furies looked to avoid the lapses that had left them in trouble at points in the last few games to keep the Thunder within reach throughout the bout.

The Furies managed to close a 27 point half-time deficit twice in the second half before finding themselves down 6 going into a final jam. Although the Furies blockers managed to keep the Thunder jammer a lap behind, time expiried before Librawlian could close the final 2 points. Despite the loss, the close bout will be a big boon to the Furies playoff hopes as it will count as a virtual tie for rankings.

Following that, the Saucies and Dollies met for Hell on Wheels 8 – their eigth annual spring matchup dating back to 2007. The first half saw each team trading lead jam status and doing an effective job stopping each others opportunities for multi-pass jams. A 37-6 stretch beginning in jam 10 put the Saucies on top, but the Dollies closed the gap behind a 24 point jam by Low-Hits Griffin to end the half behind only 11 points.

The Saucies came back swinging in the second however, opening with a 40-10 run through the first 4 jams of the second en route to a dominating 116-41 second half. The Dollies, playing shorthanded and dealing with penalties (the 20 Dollies penalties in the second-half is tied for the most in a half by a team this season) valiantly managed to outscore the Sacuies over the last few frames but ultimately fell in a 202-116 final score.

Low-Hits Griffin led the Dollies with 66 points, followed by Crown Victoria with 30. Red Fox scored 16 of her own while co-captain Brutali-Tease chipped in an additional 4. For the Saucies, MissFire tallied 88 points, followed by Alley Oops and Flame Throw-Her with 65 and 42 respectively. Alli Snatcher and Bella Stiletto added an additional 4 and 3 points. Red Fox and Alley Oops have the bonus distinction of having skated in the original Hell on Wheels in 2007.

The Saucies win gives them five Hell on Wheels wins to the Dollies three – the Saucies had not won this matchup since the 2010 season. Additionally with the win, the Saucies clinch the #2 seed in the upcoming QCRG playoffs!

The Queen City Roller Girls next take the track on May 17th for the QCRG Playoffs Doubleheader. First up, the #1 (and defending champion) Nickel City Knockouts will play the #4 Alley Kats, followed by the #2 Saucies playing the #3 Dollies in rematch of their April bout. The winners of each will play for the QCRG Cup on June 7th, 2014 at the Rainbow Rink in North Tonawanda, NY.