The Invicta Dynamos picked up their first win of the season in Cardiff with Adam Rehak on fire scoring all four goals.
Coach Kevin Parrish had the luxury of a full roster available for their first visit to the new ice rink in Cardiff.
The Mos started the first period with Damien King in the nets and he had to make a save within 18 seconds from Michael Stratford but just 5 seconds later Stratford beat King for 1-0 to the home side. It didn’t take long for the Mos to reply via import Adam Rehak who skated behind the Cardiff and poked the puck home from the near post.
King had to be alert on 3:23, saving at the feet of Samuel Smith whilst at the other end a spin and shot by Seb Downing had Cardiff netminder Luke Takel making a quick save. On 6:54 an attempt at long range by Rehak and then Scott Bailey had Takel busy yet again as both teams looked to edge ahead.
The gloves were dropped on 08:42. Brad Watchorn earlier in the game took a swing at Bobby Chamberlain so seconds later Mason Webster took up revenge on Watchorn with both players swinging and landing powerful blows before the officials eventually stepped-in and penalised both players with a 2+2 minute sit in the penalty box for fighting.
12:03 on the clock had King deny Smith and yet again on 12:33. The play quickly changed with Callum Fowler finding Rehak who broke clear on 12:50, only to be hauled down by Sheppard who sat a 2 minute penalty which gave the Mos a powerplay. Despite Fowler going close the Fire defended the powerplay well and soon returned to full strength. A smart save by Takel on 18:20 denied Fowler yet again as both teams had to settle on 1-1 at the end of the period.
The second period started tightly initially. A massive talking point came early in the period when the officials missed a deliberate elbow aimed at the head of Josh Condren – the Mos’ forward not playing any further part in the period. A break by Fowler on 25 minutes had him back-flick the puck to Bobby Chamberlain who hit the foot of the goal frame. Takel then made hard work of a shot by Harrison Lillis, eventually grabbing the puck after spilling it in front of onrushing bodies. Another minor penalty on Brad Watchorn on 28:20 had the Mos on another powerplay – Tommy Ralph having a shot saved and Fowler almost getting on the end of a Rehak cutback. Once the Fire returned to full strength they were on the backfoot – Takel saving well from Mason Webster who should have scored after being found unmarked by Scott Bailey.
Brandon Webster got on the ice for the first time this season and teed-up Tommy Ralph for a shot that was saved on 33 minutes. The Fire had a goal washed out on 35 minutes, a warning to the Mos who had dominated the second period up until that moment. The Mos did however get their reward on 36:05 – Adam Rehak grabbing his second of the night with a neat finish past Takel unassisted for 2-1 to the Kent team.
The Mos had to defend the last two minutes a man short after Mason Webster crosschecked David Sadler after the pair had earlier exchanged heated words. The Fire didn’t take advantage of the extra body with the Mos going into the last period a goal to the good.
The third period was a slow start. Bobby Chamberlain had the first chance for the Mos but his shot failed to trouble Takel. Sadler and Webster clashed again on 43:48, Sadler getting 2 minutes for interference. The resulting powerplay wasn’t great for the Mos with the Fire rarely troubled.
Scott Bailey and Adam Rehak combined in the 49th minute with Rehak stinging the hands on Takel in his search for a hat-trick. It was much longer until the Mo’s doubled their lead on 49:44 – Rehak getting that hat-trick with fellow forwards Chamberlain and Fowler claiming the assists.
The Mos weren’t prepared to sit back and defend their cushioned lead – Downing going to close to his maiden goal after good work by Condren to create an opening. King made a rare save in the period on 56:06 saving a snap shot from Smith. Another save from Alex Symonds kept King involved in the game but the Mos were still looking the more convincing team to claim the win – and that was sealed on 59:19 – Rehak grabbing his 4th of the night assisted by Tommy Ralph and Ryan Morgan as the Mos grabbed the 4-1 win.
Man of the match went to multi goal hero Rehak for the Mos whilst the Fires’ Symonds claimed the honours for the hosts.