Soonami Slammers smashing success (16 photos)

The Soonami Slammers fully-charged introduction of Sault Ste. Marie to flat track roller derby was a smashing success.

The team shattered expectations with exciting slams, jams and electric blocks.

Okay, they lost the match but, really, who freakin' cares?

The Coal Miners' Daughters fed them ash as they mercilessly jammed and blocked the Slammers to a maiming win of 100 and something to, oh, almost 90ish but the fans hardly noticed the scoreboard.

They were too busy watching the elbows bashing, knees skidding and hair fluttering under helmets.

It was excitement like nothing ever witnessed in Sault Ste. Marie before.

The first ever flat-track roller derby match in the Essar centre was at least as wild as expected.

For fans and for competitors.

"It's great to have all my friends and family here supporting me," said Soonami Slammer jammer Goddess of Destruction, also known as Krista Patterson.

We could see why she liked the support.

Each time the Goddess of Destruction broke through the blockers and took off to lap the pack the Essar Centre was filled to the rafters with the sound of chanting, "GOD-DESS, GOD-DESS, GOD-DESS."

Next up for the Slammers is a trip to Timmins to face the Coal Miners' Daughters on their home turf.

The team has more work to do to prepare and could use more support.

The Goddess said they are using arenas without ice right now but in a few weeks those arenas will be iced and there will be no place to practice flat-track roller derby.

The team has some time at the YMCA and a few schools but would really like a long-term, consistent place to practice year-round.

It's also looking for more volunteers and team members.

From the excitement level in the crowd last night, the team probably found some fresh meat (new members) and maybe a few volunteers as well.

"There's always room for more," said the Goddess of Destruction.