Invicta Dynamos fan Lee Allen looks back at the past few weeks in his exclusive blog.
It was another busy month for the Invicta Dynamos, who played every Saturday and Sunday of February.
On the 2nd February a club statement confirmed that netminder Steve Nightingale is no longer with the squad and that ‘veteran’ Glen Rodbourne has stepped up to fill the position and cover for Damien King.
Rodbourne got some ice time on Saturday 6th February when the Dynamos travelled to Lee Valley for a Southeast Trophy tie. The trophy had already been secured by Chelmsford meaning this game was a “dead rubber”. These games can understandably see a drop in crowd numbers but, via a promotion on Groupon attendance at the Lee Valley rink didn’t appear to be down.
Steve Osman claimed a brace to help guide the Invicta Dynamos to a 7-2 victory. Callum Fowler, Arran Strawson, Nicky Lewis, Jacob Ranson and Josh Condren claiming the other Invicta goals. Mason Webster fired past Damien King for London’s first goal before King made way for Rodbourne. Rodbourne was soon in the action as he was forced to stop Mason Webster but he would be beaten at 52.15 – Seb Downing converting past him, assisted by Webster for the last of the night.
Sunday 7th February had league action back – and a vital 2 points secured in the bag courtesy of a 6-2 win over the Solent Devils. The fans had to wait to cheer the first goal following a goalless first period. The Mo’s finally edged in front on 26 minutes, Steve Osman hitting the puck across to the far post but Devil’s Ben Lock diverted the puck over his own line for an own goal.
Solent soon drew level in similar circumstances on 33.53 – Ondrej Zosiak skate knocking the puck past Damien King for 1-1. Barely a minute and a half later Invicta regained the lead, Eriks Ozollapa assisting Jacob Ranson who scored past Cole for a 2-1 lead after two periods.
Steve Osman, Eriks Ozollapa scored in the third period to provide a bit of a cushion and a 4-1 lead. However the Devils pulled a goal back on 56.49 via import Andrew Magee. The Dynamos turned on the style in the last minute. On 59.16 a one-two pass between Eriks Ozollapa and resulted in Fowler scoring at the back post. The last goal for 6-2 followed on 59.37, Jacob Ranson assisting for Ozollapa’s second goal of the night. I was glad we won, my dad came along to his first game at the SilverBlades and was treated to presenting the man of the match awards.
Saturday 13th February was a trip on the road and sea – to the Isle of Wight to play the Wightlink Raiders in Ryde. This is one of my favourite away games, albeit a very long day and night. The ferries were running 30 minutes late, so not a great start to the day, but one thing you do get in Ryde is brilliant food. After a tip-off we changed from our normal venue at Fowlers (nothing to do with our star forward) pub to the ‘Long John Eater’ – and what a tip-off that was, well recommended to any travelling fan who want quality food and reasonable prices.
With no music, a temporary bar and other facilities also missing it was not the normal surroundings most would have been familiar with on previous encounters but the fact that the rink was open for business at all was credit to those on the island after recent well publicised difficulties. With the venue back up and running the game got underway and Callum Fowler twice went close for Invicta early on, one attempt saved by Matt Colclough, the other hitting the goal stanchion. However it was the hosts who would tally first – with Nicky Lewis serving a tripping penalty on the 6th minute, Ryan Webb took advantage to edge the Raiders in front assisted by Damon Larter and Jaroslav Cesky. Adam McNicoll and Callum Fowler tried to grab an equaliser but no goal was to come by the end of the first period.
In the second frame, ex-Dynamo Corey Watkins wiped out Ondrej Zosiak to give the visitors a powerplay in the 22nd minute and seconds later Steve Osman fired the equaliser past Matt Colclough assisted by the lively Callum Fowler and Eriks Ozollapa. Watkins was then barely back in the game before he fell afoul of the referee’s whistle once again – this time being on the receiving end of a 2+10 for a check from behind. Invicta failed to take advantage of the resulting powerplay though and went down a man themselves when Arran Strawson was penalised for hooking on 25.17 – a penalty that led to Wightlink going 2-1 up through the unmarked Cesky with Tribe and Larter claiming assists. The Mos then thought they had grabbed the equaliser in the 35th minute – Ozollapa’s shot appearing to cross the line, but when hooked away the referee blew-up – denying the Dynamos the opportunity to tap home an easy follow up. Arguments started on the ice as a result, Jacob Ranson and Chris Cooke trading blows – both hitting the ice at the same time. Seconds later Joshua Condren made sure the puck was over the line and grabbed the equaliser – his shot beating Colclough on 36.10, assisted by Strawson and Ozollapa.
In the final period Eriks Ozollapa had a great one-on-one opportunity electing to shoot rather than deke Matt Colclough who saved well at the feet of the Latvian. With chances for both sides passing by, a delay of game call on Arran Strawson at 54.52 then turned the tie. Wightlink would score to make it 3-2 via Jaroslav Cesky – the Mos claiming men in the crease but the officials unmoved and awarding the strike. Continued protests by Callum Fowler were in vein – the forward bringing his night to the end with a ten minute misconduct penalty that secured him an early shower. Late chances for Steve Osman and Strawson were then saved before it really was game, set and match at 59.54 – Ryan Webb finding the empty target now vacated by Damien King to bring an end to a lengthy unbeaten league run for the Dynamos.
To cap-off things, the ferry was delayed on the way back, meaning it was almost 1am by the time we got back home.
Sunday 14th February – the big one, Chelmsford Chieftains at home in the league. Invicta came out of the block firing. With the Dynamos on a powerplay they scored the first goal of the game on 08.16, Arran Strawson’s shot from the blue line flying into the net. 17 seconds later it was 2-0 – Strawson again on target, firing into the bottom far. The Chieftains frustrations were becoming clear when first Andrius Kaminskas (playing instead of Juraj Huska) took a slashing minor before Billy Phillips tossed the gloves to scrap with Eriks Ozollapa. Ozollapa was unable to remove his gloves and defend himself in a scrap that should have been halted well before it was. Shortly afterwards on 17.06 Steve Osman converted a Strawson shot for 3-0.
The Dynamos were not as bright at the start of the second period after the restart as Chelmsford stepped up a gear. At 22.08 Olegs Lascenko’s cut the deficit to 3-1. Then ten minutes later a mistake from Callum Fowler behind his own net presented Ross Brears with a goal for 3-2.
With all to play for in the final period it was the Chieftains on 47.06 that claimed the leveller from Ross Brears. With the minutes ticking down and opportunities at both ends it was to be Billy Phillips on rifling a trademark slapshot through traffic and past Damien King to seal a 4-3 comeback win.
Ok, so we lost when we maybe should have won or at least drew when 3-0 up, but given a lot of predictions by people on where the Dynamos would finish this season I am happy that we are still second in the league and gave Chelmsford a good game.
Saturday 20th February was another long trip – this time to Cardiff. To be honest, I don’t mind the drive, as it’s a 7pm face-off we normally leave early afternoon when the traffic is not busy and by the time the game finishes the motorways are clear at that time of the night.
My family also like the trip to Cardiff as a tradition now is to eat at Frankie and Benny’s – we have never lost since eating there, well that’s my excuse anyway.
As for the game, Conor Redmond grabbed a brace in a 6-2 win in which Bailey Wootton made his comeback from a knee injury, although the Dynamos were missing Callum Fowler. The first period was also halted for ten minutes when half of the rink lights went out. Redmond’s first goal came on 1.29, he then doubled the lead to 2-0 on 3.57. There were no more goals during the first period although Harrison Lillis did have to clear the puck off line with his skate to stop Cardiff scoring.
The second period had Invicta defending a 5-on-3 early on with both Adam McNicoll and Eriks Ozollapa in the penalty box for minor calls. However, once the Dynamos were back to full strength they pushed on and got their reward at 32 minutes – Brad Gutridge flicking the puck to Bailey Wootton who converted past Crisp for 3-0. Just a minute later Chris Hart of Cardiff was thrown in the box and Arran Strawson hit a trademark slapshot from distance to stretch that advantage to 4-0. It could have been more when Josh Condren was awarded a penalty shot having been held back when clean through but his penalty shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced out to safety. By now Cardiff were getting feisty, and with two men in the box, it was only a matter of time before the Mos gained a further goal which came on 39.14 – Harrison Lillis rifling a powerful shot into the roof of the goal for number five.
With a sizeable lead, Invicta made a sluggish start to the third period, conceding two sloppy goals scored by Jamie Hayes on 40.31 (shorthanded) and 41.10 to cut their edge to 5-2 prompting Kevin Parrish to call a timeout to refocus his troops. However it was Cardiff who lost their heads – 49.12 the moment when Kieran Latchford received 2+2 for trying to dance with Joshua Condren whilst Jamie Hayes was thrown from the game for misconduct. Invicta duly took advantage of the resulting powerplay to end the scoring – Steve Osman accepting a pass from Arran Strawson and drilling beyond Michael Crisp to seal the two points. After dropping a friend off, I get back to Sheppey gone 1am, the players are way further back on the road travelling by coach which goes to show you how draining it can be to play two games in two days.
Sunday 21st February was another Invicta Dynamos versus London Raiders game, and similar to the beginning of the month it was in the NIHL Southeast Trophy which had already been secured by the Chelmsford Chieftains.
It was a comfortable victory for Invicta. Jack Lee, Eriks Ozollapa and Conor Redmond making it 3-0 after two periods of play.
The final period saw a delayed start when London’s Tom Davis changed from skater to netminder following an injury to Ryan Bainborough. Davis pulled off a couple of decent saves, but was unable to prevent Invicta scoring through Fowler and Strawson for 5-0 before Invicta switched netminders with Glen Rodbourne replacing Damien King. Adam McNicoll soon added a sixth goal and Jacob Ranson finishing the scoring at 7-0 on 54.24.
Talking point of the third period came when Mason Webster and Josh Condren squaring up briefly before Condren was then slashed to the leg straight from the next faceoff by Marek Nahlik – Nahlik receiving two minutes for slashing and Condren a pair for supposedly diving – an unbelievable call.
Saturday 27th February – time to defend the cup against Streatham Redskins in the semi-final first leg. I must confess, I hate driving to this rink, the last 8 miles seem to go on forever. Anyway, rant over. Invicta are surprisingly without the services of Callum Fowler and Nicky Lewis whilst the Redskins are at full strength.
With a strong following of travelling supporters the Kent side started brightly and just after two minutes into the game Conor Redmond cut a pass across the goalmouth of netminder Sanderson’s zone only to see Bailey Wootton screw his shot wide. A few minutes later Joe Johnston registered the first dangerous Streatham shot, which Damien King tipped over his bar.
Conor Redmond could have opened the scoring after ten minutes, Ondrej Zosiak seeing a shot parred by Sanderson but as Redmond crept in smelling a goal he got nudged away by Ryan Giles. Barely a minute later a double save by Sanderson kept Eriks Ozollapa and Steve Osman at bay.
With fifteen minutes on the clock an Arran Strawson had a shot saved but the puck fell to Kamil Kinkor who had a one-on-one with Damien King – the Invicta netminder coming out on top to keep the scoreline scoreless. Eriks Ozollapa almost made Streatham pay for that miss when he rattled Sanderson’s goal frame on 15:50 but both teams had to settle for a goalless first period.
Joe Allen had the first opportunity in the second period which was easily gathered by King. Nicky Chinn robbed Harrison Lillis on 22:15 and fed Kinkor, who was frustrated by King again. It wasn’t all Streatham early on, Ozollapa found Bailey Wootton in space who failed to convert past Sanderson. Chris Wiggins was determined to sit more time in the penalty box during the second period, being penalised for three separate minor incidents, with the second and third spaced in between 14 seconds. It was on his last penalty where the deadlock was broke a shorthanded goal for Streatham on 37:52 when Callum Best skated towards King’s left side and squared for Steven Fisher to put the home side 1-0 to the good before the end of the period.
The first ten minutes of the last period did not produce a lot of open opportunities for both teams, but Invicta did have to see out a 3 on 5 when both Ozollapa and Lillis got minor penalties – and remarkably Invicta almost nicked a goal when Dewey broke free. Damien King was again called into action with 7 minutes remaining, a double save from Madren-Batten drive and then the follow-up from Wood. Invicta had a powerplay advantage for the last minute and a half of the game when Jack Tarczcki slashed at Ozollapa – but like previous powerplay’s, Invicta could not get an equalising goal.
It was no surprise to see both netminder pick-up the man of the match awards, with both expected to be busy for the second leg too.
Sunday 28th February was the second leg of the semi-final. Kevin Parrish was able to welcome back both Nicky Lewis and Callum Fowler after the pair missed the first leg. We had a great start, Callum Fowler putting the aggregate score level at 1-1 in the 4th minute.
Despite trying to edge in front on aggregate the Dynamos fell behind again when Joe Allen beat Damien King from a tight angle.
Referee Phil O’Neill missed a call on Chris Wiggins who took out Arran Strawson with his stick up, leaving Straws flat on the ice – this would be the first of a few calls not giving that would get the crowd and bench protesting.
Veteran Nick Chinn scored for the Redskins on 22:51 – only for Ozollapa to score for Invicta, I would love to tell you about the goal but I missed it when tweeting about Chinn’s goal. Any hopes of the Dynamos were going to pull off a stunning victory were dashed though when Kamil Kinkor and Nick Chinn made it 4-2 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate with the Mo’s only having 5 shots on goal in the second period.
The Dynamos played better in the final period and a 57th minute goal from Steve Osman reduced the deficit to two goals again. The Dynamos threw everything they had at their opponents in the final few minutes and were caught with a sucker punch with just 21 seconds left on the clock as Chinn fired into an empty goal for his hat-trick as the home side had pulled netminder Damien King just moments before.
It was disappointing to lose 6-3 on aggregate but I was very delighted with the generosity of all the fans, players and staff from both sides who donated to Demelza Hospice. Myself, club steward Brendon Davey and media man Steve Wolfe from Kent Sports News are all set to hit the road on marathons for the charity.
This begins on Sunday 13th March when we all take part in Dartford’s gruelling half marathon. On Sunday 17th April Brendon Davey will then tackle the Brighton marathon before, on Sunday 24th April, Steve Wolfe takes on the London marathon.
We managed to collect over £350 on the night – A big thank you to all!