We are three-quarters of the way into this first day of the tournament.  To my right, my fine cohort Eve L Hazard tracking fan response to the upcoming NSRG/MNRG dream bout coming tomorrow afternoon.  To my left, Jaxine Kvaas (known as Frau to the fans of the MNRG) sucking down water and nachos after a hard-fought defeat at the hands of Windy City.  In front of me…an array of black and pink skaters.  Arch Rival arrived last night, while Cincy just got in this afternoon. 

That two teams of this caliber are taking a turn on the Roy is astounding.  That they don’t even represent the highest seeds of this tournament is mind-blowing.  So much is happening this weekend; Burning River is showing themselves as a far more potent threat than their ranking shows.  Madison’s crazy, canny jammers taking on all comers in the pack.  And Windy City…my God.  Windy City.  Faster and more nimble than, it seems, anyone on that track.

Enough mauldlin.  The halftime is over - the march to Philly continues.