Two games... where has the time gone?

So, I promised an update from the game in Madison last Saturday and time has flown by so fast this is the first opportunity I've had to post since then. This was my first inter-league game and I must say, "WOW". What an amazing experience. The hosting team gave us a great goody "basket" before the game and pie afterwards. Considering we won, the pie was super nice.

For those of my readers who are not yet up on all things derby, inter-league games are (typically) made up of skaters from a league's home season teams and there are only 14 roster spots to fill (instead of 20 for home season). As a pack consists of 5 people (4 blockers and 1 jammer), this means 3 packs constantly rotating. Lot's of game time!

I had the opportunity to skate with 2 skaters from another home team in my pack and I have to say it was great. We worked well together and communicated, which is the biggest thing you can do during a game. We did a good job of holding their jammer back and recycling when she got past us.

The most exciting part for me during this game, though, was that I was asked to jam. As a skater that normally blocks, I'm always willing to step in when needed, even to jam. I am not the strongest jammer, but I can typically hold my own, especially given that I am strong enough to take most hits without falling or losing my balance. And I must say, I held my own very well. I jammed 3 times and got lead each time! Plus, I racked up 28 points for my team in those 3 jams. So, yeah, it was a great game.

I'll keep my synopsis of last night's home season game short. It was awesome! Two teams went into our game undefeated and my team came out the other side victorious. The pack I work in the majority of the time is fantastic! When one of my teammates pushes me (especially toward a line), I know she's using me to hit a jammer.... and it works! I am very happy with my overall performance last night. I went into the game with a goal of two jammer take downs, and while I didn't meet that goal, I did have a few good jammer take outs, which is pretty darn good too. My rookie year is turning out to be one fun ride! Note: It's also pretty cool when a long time vet (jammer) from the opposing team says to you at the after party, "I hate you.", to which I respond, "Why?". "Because you're an asshole" is what she replied back to me with a smile on her face. I'm not offended. I'm flattered because I know I gave her hell on the track and it made me happy.