The Invicta Dynamos secured top spot in their NIHL Southern Cup group with a 4-2 win over rivals Chelmsford Chieftains.
Kevin Parrish’s side went into the game against the league leaders with a real sense of optimism knowing they needed just a point to guarantee top spot in the cup group.
That optimism was well placed as they ran out eventual winners, although they didn’t have everything their own way.
The game started with the Dynamos welcoming back injured players Steve Osman and Tommy Ralph, but were once again without the services of captain Callum Fowler and Taylor Wootton.
With netminders Damien King and James Richardson both still injured, Parrish had drafted in Bristol Pitbulls’ John Dibble to go between the pipes with Glen Rodbourne his back up.
Just over two minutes into the game and the Dynamos fans were on their feet, celebrating the opening goal of the game as import Ondrej Zosiak picked up the puck in his own half, evaded all the challenges that came his way and slotted home past Chelmsford netminder Ben Clements.
The lead gave the home side a real lift, but it wasn’t long before the momentum swung the other way as the Chieftains grew into the game.
Despite the Essex side dominating the final ten minutes of the period, they had nothing to show for their effort at the first break and the Dynamos were grateful for their one goal lead.
That lead was to last almost three minutes into the second period when Chelmsford pulled it back to 1-1 when former Dynamos import Juraj Huska tucked home a rebounded shot.
Just three minutes later and there was a real flashpoint, as out of nowhere, Dynamos import Adam Rehak and Chieftains’ Grant Bartlett began to trade blows with the Invicta man getting more punches off.
The resulting penalties saw Bartlett given a match penalty, much to the delight of the Gillingham crowd.
Despite not being able to make the most of the resulting powerplay, the Dynamos were back in front in the 37th minute, just seconds after Chelmsford changed netminder, Ben Clements leaving the ice to be replaced by Sonny Phillips.
Ironically, it was Rehak that was the scorer as he danced down the ice at pace before firing over the shoulder of the Chieftains netminder.
Just 36 seconds into the final period and the game was back on a knife edge as Chelmsford pulled it back to 2-2. This time it was a long range shot from Lukas Zatopek from the blue line that left Dibble stranded.
With the game now swinging backwards and forwards, it was the Dynamos that came up with the crucial next goal, restoring their lead in the 48th minute, chasing down a long range pass from Arran Strawson before slotting home.
The game was finally put to bed in the 59th minute as the Dynamos made full use of a powerplay, with Nicky Lewis slamming home to send the home support into delirium.
Having guaranteed top spot in the cup group and with only four teams left in the competition, the Dynamos will face Streatham over two legs in the semi-final in the new year with the 2nd leg at home.
To listen to our exclusive interviews with Haydn Wootton and Elliott Dewey from after the game, click here:
Main picture credit: Ashleigh Wright – airsoftphotography.co.uk