It was a history-making night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre, and roller derby fans recognized that – they lined up around the outside of the building to get in.
The Harbour City Rollers defeated the Nanaimo Nemesis 164-124 on Saturday in the first-ever Vancouver Island Roller Derby Rookie League game in the city.
The standing-room-only crowd at the NIC’s Civic Arena rink helped make for a special atmosphere, players said.
“We were surprised, it was like, ‘Oh my God,’” said Tammy “Boom Boom Pow” Tanner, captain of the Rollers. “But we were trying to keep our head in the game and not really looking around.”
The Rollers’ good pack formations and blocking helped them build a big lead. The aggressive Nemesis made things interesting early in the second half, narrowing the margin to 15 points.
“We just had to regroup and play defensively,” Tanner said.
Kristy “Turbo Vixen” Todd, captain of the Nemesis, said her team looked more organized on the track this week compared with the previous weekend’s loss to Comox’s Rink Minx.
“We’re starting to really get that communication going, now we have to start focusing on that strategic part of it,” said Todd.
Both teams will have plenty of opportunities to hone their game, as there will be regular league play every weekend leading up to the first annual Vancouver Island Roller Derby Tournament at the NIC in July. Both the Rollers and the Nemesis could be in the championship hunt by then.
“The potential’s good,” Tanner said. “I hope we can just keep riding this wave. It’s so much fun.”
Todd said the Nemesis continue to learn and improve every week.
“I feel great about the team. We’re all having a good time and ultimately it’s about having fun.”
DERBY DETAILS … The next local roller derby action is this Saturday (April 30) as the Harbour City Rollers host the Rink Minx at 6:30 p.m. at the NIC. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. The Nemesis play a road game earlier that afternoon in the Comox Valley against Cumberland’s Dodge City Rollers.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
