Six players found the net for the Invicta Dynamos on Sunday evening as the Gillingham club had a comfortable 9-3 win.
Callum Fowler (2), Ryan Giles (2), Justin Noble(2), Andy Smith, Ryan Ellis and Daniel Fudger all tallied against the Oxford City Stars.
After a fairly even start, the Dynamos eventually got the breakthrough in the twelfth minute when Callum Fowler beat netminder Chris Douglas with a low drive from the right wing. This proved a catalyst for more goals, with Justin Noble finishing off a quick counter down the same channel with a well placed shot into the far corner for 2-0, and Ryan Giles finding himself in the right place at the right time to steer in Nicky Lewis’ deflected pass from the left boards for the host’s third.
That edge was then only extended in the second period as the Dynamos flew out of the traps to grab a fourth inside sixteen seconds. Ryan Ellis’ accurate pass found an unguarded Andy Smith on the back stick, with the club captain roofing the puck high into the net for 4-0, and it was five just over a minute later when Callum Fowler doubled his personal tally from close range after goalie Chris Douglas had been left completely exposed.
When Oxford’s Shannon Taylor was then seated on a hooking minor, the hosts added yet another as Ryan Ellis converted at the second time of asking with an excellent shot on the spin from between the faceoff circles. Midway through and Justin Noble then made it a seven goal cushion as he was credited with a tip in on Callum Best’s long drive from distance before the Stars finally answered ahead of the second break.
A powerplay spell in the final third saw Shannon Taylor sweep beyond an unsighted Andy Moffat for their first of the evening before they doubled up when Darren Elliott teed up Martin Lee for the one-timer right in front – the New Zealander taking the chance well to make it 7-2.
The Dynamos would have the final word of the frame however, and secured their eighth close to time when Ryan Giles bundled in his second of the night at point blank range for the 8-2 advantage.
The scoring then slowed in the final period with the hosts only able to add one more to their tally. Midway through Daniel Fudger fired in at the back post having been picked out by Ryan Ellis before Oxford put away the last of the night in fortunate circumstances with Darren Elliott’s effort from the wing crossing the line courtesy of a hefty deflection off of a defenceman on route. Nevertheless it was the Dynamos who took the two points in a 9-3 victory as their opponents on the night struggled to deal with the home side’s free flowing offensive play.
So it was a return to winning ways for the club in Gillingham and the team were able to secure the spoils without having to reach top gear. Head Coach Kevin Parrish is sure to be pleased by the result but will perhaps be equally happy with the return of previously injured duo Anthony Lennon and Nicky Lewis – with Lewis especially looking like he has not spent time away from the ice.
Man of the match awards on the night went to ‘import’ Martin Lee of the Stars whilst Callum Fowler took the honours for the Dynamos. From here the team now prepare for a double header weekend ahead of the short Christmas break with Saturday seeing them host the Cardiff ENL Devils and Sunday bringing them a trip to nearby Essex to face the Romford Raiders. Both ties start at 5.15pm.
Picture supplied by David Trevallion