Press Release
The Fort Freakshow roller derby squad earned every bruise and drop of sweat shed Saturday night when they played against the Babes of Thunder in Thunder Bay.
It was an extremely hard-fought loss for the Freakshow, which continued to skate with smiles and dish out tough hits even when the score had tipped in Thunder Bay’s favour.
The bout was only the team’s second, with three of eight skaters playing for the first time.
For head coach Aurora “DrivEm Hard” Doerksen, her first time behind the bench in a game made for a fast-paced learning opportunity.
“I found coaching my first game flooded me with a mixture of emotions,” Doerksen said. “It felt good; our team is full of amazing women, they all did so well.
“I’m so proud of each and every one of them.”
Saturday’s bout was the fourth for Karen “Hemi Pow-Her” Mitchell, assistant captain and one of the team’s top point-scoring jammers.
“I’ve played in two bouts previously with Thunder Bay, one being just a month ago, so this bout was fun for me,” Mitchell said.
“It was like playing a game with friends.
“A lot of mean, hard-hitting friends, but friends nonetheless.”
Melissa “Melicious La Vicious” Carpenter made her debut on the track wearing a hot pink and black tutu that locals may recognize from the team’s participation in the Canada Day and Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship parades.
Unfortunately, Carpenter was forced out of the bout after a particularly nasty hip check aggravated a previous injury.
“It was hard-hitting,” Carpenter said. “Much faster playing in a game than in practice, but we gave it our all.
“All the gals have come so far in such a short period of time, too.”
Because some team members were unable to make the trip for the weekend, the Freakshow lineup was rounded out with six foster skaters from Thunder Bay, who not only gave it their all on the track but also provided invaluable direction in the locker-room and on the bench.
“They were also amazing. They helped us greatly in many different ways,” Doerksen noted.
“Thunder Bay started out the same way we did—from the beginning—and they have come a long way,” said jammer Kerry “Argyle Spankr” Zub, who racked up the points for her team Saturday night and was a foster skater herself for Thunder Bay a month ago.
“Playing against them side-by-side last year and then again this year, they have developed strategy, defence, and a strong team effort.”
Next up, five local skaters will make the long trip to Sault Ste. Marie to play with the Gold Miners Daughters of Timmins against the Soonami Slammers on Aug. 6.
The trip will be one last chance to tune up strategy on-track before a bout here on Sept. 3.
“Loud cheering from a hometown crowd won’t hurt, so I’m hoping for a good turnout,” said Mitchell.
