The Invicta Dynamos kept up their push towards the top of the league with a comfortable 9-5 win over Solent Devils on Sunday night.

Kevin Parrish’s side took to the ice without the injured Charlie Phillips (wrist) and Grant Baxter (knee), whilst Harrison Lillis was unavailable, so Richard Smith and Bradley Gutridge were called up from the Mustangs along with Danny Terry.

Going into the game Parrish elected to give new netminder Mark Lee first shot on the ice as he looked to juggle his three shot stoppers, whilst Andy Smith was celebrating his 30th birthday in front of his home fans.

It didn’t take long for the Dynamos to get going and in the fifth minute they were one in front when Nicky Lewis fired home after some good work by Callum Fowler.

Almost eight minutes later and they doubled their lead when Smith set Fowler free and he made no mistake in front of goal.

The game was almost put beyond doubt in the 19th minute with the Dynamos taking full advantage of a powerplay with Juraj Huska picking out Fowler perfectly and he slotted home.

The second period was a much different affair with both sides coming out looking to play a more aggressive game and Solent pegged it back to 3-1 in the 23rd minute when import Andrew Magee fired past Lee.

Then came a passage of play that saw the Dynamos lose player after player to penalties with Arran Strawson and Billy Phillips both serving time in the box.

Solent took full advantage with Magee setting up Murray to score, but the Dynamos responsed swiftly and Smith made it 4-2 as he Fowler and Nicky Lewis combined well to set up the goal despite being shorthanded.

Then came a pivotal point in the game with Ralfs Circenis leaving a late elbow on Strawson and team-mate Elliott Dewey had no hesitation in dropping the gloves and going toe-to-toe with the Solent man, taking him down onto the ice, much to the delight of the home support.

Moments later and the Dynamos made it 5-2 when skipper Anthony Leone got himself on the scoresheet as they made the most of another powerplay.

Just before the half an hour mark the Dynamos changed netminders with Mark Lee going off to a rapturous reception to be replaced by Chris Douglas.

He watched on as in the 35th minute the Dynamos made it 6-2 when Fowler grabbed yet another after Adam McNicoll centred.

The visitors were to pull one back though before the break with Magee claiming his second of the night.

If there was ever any real doubt about the scoreline, the Dynamos really put the game to bed in the opening four minutes of the third period with Steve Osman bagging a brace inside the space of a minute to make it 8-3.

Two goals from Jamie Fitzpatrick inside the space of two minutes made it 8-5, but McNicoll made the game safe with the Dynamos’ ninth in the 57th minute to round off the scoring.

The victory sees the Dynamos stay 6th in the NIHL South, but crucially they are just seven points behind leaders Streatham Redskins with games in hand on most of those above them.

Next weekend the Dynamos face the Cardiff Devils at home in the league on Saturday evening before heading to Swindon on Sunday night to take on the Wildcats in the English Challenge Cup.

Picture supplied by David Trevallion.

To listen to interviews with Kevin Parrish and Billy Phillips after the game, click here: