Denver Roller Dolls strut their stuff

Clean up on the track. No we're not talking about NASCAR-we're talking about one of the fastest growing sports in the United States-roller derby.

Several thousand fans from the Denver-area packed the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield Saturday night, all to see some fast-pace, hard-hitting skating courtesy of the Denver Roller Dolls.

From the bone-crushing hits to the sideline humor, there was something for everyone to enjoy.   Oh, and there were a few matches to take place as well. 

The Bad Apples, the Green Barrettes and the Shotgun Betties make up the Denver Roller Dolls league.  Each squad has a unique cast of characters, some more vicious than others.  The three teams battled each other Saturday in a round-robin style format.

All of the matches were hotly contested with large leads often evaporating in a matter of minutes.  And on two occasions fans witnessed a huge rally by the Shotgun Betties.

Trailing 50-32 with about five minutes left on the clock, the Betties put the hammer down on the Apples attack and allowed Heather "Juska" to gobble up 17 points during a power jam.  In the final minute of action the Betties scored just enough in the final jam to hold off the Apples 60-57. 

"It's just not getting too distracted and not getting demoralized," said Betties jammer Danica "Berlin Brawl" Dolezal.  "That was one of the most intense bouts I've been a part of in a long time."  

The Shotgun Betties continued their winning ways in the final match of the evening against the Green Barrettes.   Despite holding a three-point lead late in the match, the Barrettes were running out of steam and the Betties took advantage.  "Juska," "Berlin Brawl" and Shannon "Ball" Dorato chipped away at the deficit and drew several minor penalties, one in which led to a power jam.  That opportunity propelled the Betties to 16 points and a 66-44 victory over the Barrettes.

If you're not familiar with roller derby you're not alone.  Many fans are only now taking a great interest in the sport.

Within each 30-minute match is a series of two-minute jams where each team tries to score points by having their jammer (skater starting in the back of the pack who wears a star on their helmet) pass through their opponents blockers.  For a full list of rules visit the Women's Flat Track Derby Association.

As for the first match of the evening it was close but as close as the second and third matches.  The Apples came out ahead of the Barrettes in match one 64-45.  The mean-streaking team named after a fruit, pulled away after trailing by single digits for the first six minutes of action, led by jammers Alaine "Deadly Long Legs" Othafer and Kim "Kimmy Kimmy Bang Bang" Wilms.

So if you're pumped about seeing a group of women skating around a track and hitting each other, check out the upcoming bouts by visiting the Denver Roller Dolls Web site.