UPDATED: Seeds advance at Klash in the Kootenays
By Bruce Fuhr
The seeds are heading down the tournament trail for a Saturday afternoon faceoff following opening round games at the Klash in the Kootenay women’s flat track roller derby championships at the NDCC Arena in Nelson.
And the host Kootenay Kannibelles are right in the thick of the run to the final after posting a win over Okanagan/Shuswap Raggedy Rollers Friday.
The Kannibelles play Red Deer Roller Derby Association Belladonnas at 4 p.m. while top seeded Terminal City plays E-Ville at 2 p.m.
The winners advance to the championship final Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
In action Saturday morning, the Oil City Derby Girls of Edmonton topped the 200-point total against Deathbridge of Lethbridge.
The Oil City Derby Girls play in the five-six consolation game at 6 p.m.
Klash in the Kootenays at the NDCC Arena promises to be a big hit for the fans and players
It’s probably the fastest growing sport in North America and now fans of women’s flat track roller derby can see the best Western Canada has to offer this weekend in Nelson at the Klash in the Kootenays.
“The teams coming to this tournament are the tops in Western Canada,” said Michelle Sylvest of the organizing committee and president of the West Kootenay Women’s Roller Derby League.
“So fans won’t get to see better action anywhere.”
The eight-team seeded tournament begins at noon Friday in the NDCC Arena with the host Kannibelles meeting the Okanagan/Shuswap Raggedy Rollers.
In the only meeting this season between the two rivals, the Kannibelles skated away with a lopsided victory.
Roller Derby has been on a rise in the West Kootenay for both fans and players.
The success of the Kannibelles is the reason why region is playing host to the Westerns.
“Our team had a pretty good run last year at the Best of the West (in Kelowna) so we got asked to host the event this year,” said Sylvest, adding the Kannibelles are led by National team player Beretta Lynch.
The Kannibelles enter the tourney as the second seed behind top-ranked Terminal City Roller Girls of Vancouver.
Terminal City meet Deathbridge of Lethbridge at 2 p.m.
Red Deer Roller Derby Association Belladonnas meet Calgary Roller Derby at 4 p.m. before the final contest between Edmonton rivals, E-Ville and Oil City Derby Girls goes at 6 p.m.
“This is going to be one exciting game,” Sylvest said. “Both teams are from Edmonton and there’s a strong rivalry between them.”
“Fans won’t get to watch a better game than this (Friday),” Sylvest adds.
Each team is guaranteed three games.
Semi finals are set for Saturday at 2 and 4 p.m. — if the Kannibelles advance, the host squad will meet the winner of Red Deer and Calgary at 4 p.m.
The two semi final winners meet in the tourney final at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The consolation final is set for 9 a.m. Sunday.
The winner represents the western provinces at the National Tournament in the spring of 2013.
Sylvest invites the public to attend any of the games.
Tickets are available for the entire tournament or for single days.
For more information check out the tournament website at http://www.kootenayrollerderby.com/
Oh, and did we say they’ll be an influx of players, coaches and spectators in Nelson for the weekend?
“We expect to see about 300 extra people in Nelson with most of them derby girls,” Sylvest explains.
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