Invicta Dynamos fellow to a narrow 5-3 defeat against title challenging Solent Devils despite being without player/coach Anthony Leone.

Dynamos were missing Leone, captain Ryan Giles, youngster Gregor McAllen and Mark Williams for the clash in Gillingham.

Solent Devils were missing Alexander Trendall, Daniel Shier, Harry Cloutman, Scott Cooper, Mason Wild, Callum Farrell and Matthew Colclough.

Zach Grandy-Smith started in net for the Dynamos while Christian Cole took to the ice for the Devils.

First period underway and Dynamos forward Tomas Banovsky was the first to challenge Cole with a shot but the netminder was able to save.

Solent’s Ralfs Circenis sped down the right, he found Facey on the left who took a shot on Grandy-Smith. The Dynamos netminder managed to send it wide.

Facey on another breakaway before being hit mid-ice by Banovsky. Facey ended up on the ice.

First powerplay for Solent as Banovsky sat a two-minute penalty for hooking. Dynamos managed to kill the penalty.

It was then the Dynamos turn for a powerplay chance as Mark Pitts sat two-minutes for slashing.

Solent had several chances on Grandy-Smith, Circenis with a close call but the Dynamos cleared the puck. Ryan Morgan was soon on the attack and managed to get a shot on Cole, but it was saved.

End of the first period and the game remained 0-0.

Second period underway as Banovsky had another attempt at a goal on Cole.

Solent got a powerplay opportunity as Elliot Farrell sat two-minutes for stick holding.

The deadlock was finally broken as Solent scored a powerplay goal as Circenis shot high over Grandy-Smith. Goal one for Solent scored at 25:22.

Dynamos were fired up, Henry Aiken and Tom Davis both crashed into Pitts who got pinned to the boards.

Brandon Webster received a 10-minute incitement misconduct while the play had stopped. Play resumed 5-on-5.

Solent got their second of the night as former Dynamos forward Steve Osman skated from centre ice down to Grandy-Smith with no competition from the defenceman. Goal two scored at 31:00.

Dynamos were on the breakaway as Banovsky skated past all five Solent players. The Dynamos forward was tripped which got the team a penalty shot.

Penalty shot was taken by Banovsky who made it look easy and gave the Dynamos their first goal of the game at 35:39.

End of second and Solent led 2-1.

Solent’s forward Circenis started the period off with his second goal of the night. Goal three scored 30 seconds into the third period at 40:30.

Dynamos defenceman Arran Strawson received a two-minute penalty for holding. The defenceman questioned the call as he skated to the box. The referee did not like his questioning and gave him two 10-minute misconduct penalties. Strawson retaliated with a punch at the plexi before returning to the changing room.

Goal two for Dynamos as Juraj Huska shot the puck under the armpit of Cole. Goal two scored at 48:50.

Instant reply from Solent as Facey skated down the ice and scored their fourth goal of the game at 49:26.

Another goal for Solent which furthered their lead as Facey scored his second of the game. Goal five scored at 52:53.

Huska doubled his goal count as he managed to score beyond Cole again. Goal three for the Dynamos scored at 56:36.

End of the game and Solent took the win with a 5-3 lead over the Dynamos.

Picture supplied by Dave Trevallion.