The Invicta Dynamos gave their fans the perfect Christmas present beating Chelmsford Chieftains 6-2 to move three points clear at the top of the league.

In a game that was set to be one of the toughest for the Dynamos so far this season, they showed they have real title credentials against last season’s champions, laying down a real marker for the rest of the current campaign.

Kevin Parrish’s side took to the ice without the suspended Billy and Charlie Phillips, whilst leading scorer Andy Smith had to sit out the game after being called for spearing the night before in the 11-4 win at London Raiders.

With new faces like import Michal Oravec on the ice, the Dynamos felt they had a good chance of going toe to toe with the Essex side and that’s how it proved to be.

It was to be the Dynamos that made the early running and they rewarded for their hard work in the seventh minute as the hard working Callum Fowler slotted past Euan King.

At the other end Mark Lee had to be on top form as he rebuffed wave after wave of attacks from the Chieftains with the home side extending their lead in the 16th minute as Oravec scored his first goal in front of the Gillingham faithful.

It could have been even better had it not been for a fine save from King to deny Anthony Leone who was clean through, but the Dynamos were more than happy to go in at the break 2-0 up.

It took until the 27th minute for Chelmsford to get back into the game and it came in bizarre fashion as Connolly’s dump up the ice, hit Juraj Huska leaving Mark Lee wrong footed and the puck crawled over the line and into the net.

That goal lifted the visitors and they struck the equaliser in the 30th minute with Piecha scoring depsite his side being shorthanded.

The 36th minute of the game saw a real flashpoint with Anthony Leone putting in a crunching hit leaving Barry seeking retribution. In the ensuing melee Arran Strawson saw his game end early as he responsed with a high check.

Despite playing the last five minutes of the second period with a man down, the Dynamos showed real character and stunned the visitors as Oravec went down the ice alone and clipped the puck home for 3-2.

The final period was to prove to be decisive and the next goal was critical with it going the way of the Dynamos.

Five minutes in and Adam McNicoll was the hero as he rounded off a great move with Fowler making space before setting up his fellow forward to poke home.

It took until the 53rd minute for the next goal to come and when it did it came from an unlikely source as Harrison Lillis stepped up from the blue line to power home.

The game was rightly rounded off in style with just 4.8 seconds left on the clock and it was the hard working Steve Osman that got himself on the scoresheet as he steered the puck home from close range.

Cue wild celebrations amongst the large home support as they began to enjoy Christmas early.

The victory sees the Dynamos go into Christmas three points clear of Chelmsford at the top of the league, but know they must look to carry on where they have left off next weekend.

To listen to our exclusive interviews with Kevin Parrish and Grant Baxter after the game, click here: