The Invicta Dynamos came away from the Hive at Bracknell both stung and frustrated with a draw against the Bracknell Hornets.

The Mo’s welcomed back Josh Condren from a fractured toe but had to make-do without Damien King, Arran Strawson, Nicky Lewis, Adam McNicoll, both Wootton twins and Ashley Jackson. Coach Kevin Parrish also gave a start in goal to James Richardson ahead of John Dibble.

The Mo’s had a great chance to grab an early lead within the first minute when the Hornet’s Danny Hughes sat in the penalty box for two minutes for a tripping penalty – but netminder Daniel Milton would be equal to any effort he faced, the best falling to Ondrej Zosiak.

At the other end Richardson denied Conor Redmond and Michal Oravec with the game going end-to-end. Scott Bailey then found Bailey Wootton, with the inform forward’s low and hard shot saved by Milton. The Mo’s finally grabbed the opening goal on 05:41 from an unlikely source – Elliott Dewey.

The Mo’s were advantaged following Oravec’s hooking penalty and soon after a Dewey shot found its way into the back of the net – assisted by Callum Fowler and Adam Rehak.

The Mo’s were to be undone by giving away a powerplay goal themselves later in the period. Adam Rehak was forced to sit two minutes for slashing and a minute into trying to kill the powerplay the Mo’s were unable to stop Oravec hitting the back of the net unassisted for 1-1.

Shaken and certainly stirred, the Mo’s fell 2-1 behind 30 seconds later, ex-Dynamo Connor Redmond nipping in to beat Richardson. Steve Osman then equalised on 16:00, placing the puck past Milton following good build-up play involving Zosiak and Bailey for 2-2 at the end of the first period.

Adam Rehak had the first Mo’s chance in the second period but would find Milton standing firm. Fowler then had a great chance to beat Milton when the Hornets were defending another powerplay but after skipping a challenge his shot was saved.

The Mo’s did however regain the lead on 25:57 – Fowler cutting a pass between two Hornets players for Adam Rehak to race onto and round Milton for 3-2, Tommy Ralph with the 2nd assist. Zosiak and Wootton almost found Webster lurking in a good position moments later but Woottons pass was well read and cut out. Josh Condren then hit the goal frame and Richardson denied Oravec with both teams ending the period at 3-2 in favour of the visitors.

Bailey Wootton then had a seemingly perfect goal washed-out early in the third period, despite the puck clearly hitting the back of the net – and how costly was that decision to be later on.

Firstly though, the Mo’s edged 4-2 in front – Tommy Ralph scoring his first goal for the club on 45:17 with a powerful drive from distance and assists going to Osman and Wootton. Just over a minute later lapse defending by the Mo’s allowed Oravec’s pass to find Hughes sprinting clear to leave Richardson no chance and putting the scoreline to 3-4 on 46:43.

The Hornets looked the better team at this point and it was no real surprise when they drew level on 51:04 for 4-4 – Ben Ealey Newman scoring, assisted by Hughes and Gregory. Moments later Fowler was the second Mo’s player to hit the metal work whilst Danny Hughes also done the same at the Dynamos end. James Richardson then pulled out several saves with the Mo’s having to settle for a single point.

Man of the match awards went to Dynamos Scott Bailey and Hornets Jordan Gregory. Hornets netminder Milton faced 33 shots for a save percentage on 87.88%, whilst James Richardson faced 38 shots for a save percentage of 89.47%.

Pictures supplied by Nicola Allen and Lucy Allen.