The Invicta Dynamos surged to the top of the league with a 3-1 win against Milton Keynes Thunder on Sunday night.
Fresh from having won 5-1 at Streatham in the Cup on Saturday evening, Kevin Parrish’s side took to the ice in Gillingham knowing a win would send them to the top of the NIHL South.
Without the services of injured trio Steve Osman and brothers Bailey and Taylor Wootton, the Dynamos knew they were going to be in for a real test against a determined Thunder side, but welcomed back captain Callum Fowler and returnee Adam McNicoll, whilst Ashley Jackson made a late dash having played hockey for East Grinstead earlier in the day.
The first period proved to be a little flat with little goalmouth action as netminders Damien King and David Wride soaked up any pressure that came their way.
It took almost until the halfway point of the game for the tie to finally come alive. With Harrison Goode and Ross Bowers sitting in the penalty box for separate indiscretions, the Dynamos tool full advantage of their numerical superiority with Callum Fowler bundling the puck home, although there was some confusion as it sneaked through the netting.
There was little doubt though about the second goal as it came within 36 seconds of the restart, with McNicoll rounding off a great move involving Jackson and Fowler.
At 2-0 up and seemingly cruising, the Dynamos were seemingly well on their way to victory, but Milton Keynes clearly hadn’t read the script and pulled a goal back in the 46th minute, Jamie Line feeding Alex Whyte to finish.
Less than a minute later and there was an all out line battle on the ice as Joshua Condren was caught by a late cross check with his team-mates ploughing in to protect him.
The Dynamos forward was ultimately to leave the rink in an ambulance as the penalties were handed out. Ryan Coffey was given a match for his part in the incident that sparked the melee.
Any doubt where the points were going to end up were finally put to rest in the 53rd minute when Ashley Jackson was sent free down the right hand side and with supreme accuracy, planted the puck beyond the stranded Wride.
In the end it wasn’t to be a classic of a game, but it was two more vital points that could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Sitting top of the league, the Dynamos welcome Oxford City Stars to Gillingham next Sunday evening for their only game of the weekend with face off at 5:15pm.
To listen to our exclusive interviews with Adam McNicoll and Arran Strawson, click here:
https://audioboom.com/boos/5118561-arran-strawson-after-invicta-dynamos-beat-mk-thunder-3-1?t=0