A depleted Invicta Dynamos team were defeated on the road for the second game running and once again they faced a man of the match performance from a netminder in the form of Tom Annetts as they lost 4-0 to the Oxford City Stars in a tense NIHL South Division 1 fixture.
With Damien King, James Richardson, Taylor Wootton, Nicky Lewis, Mason Webster and Adam McNicoll missing the day before, the absentee list lengthened with the addition of Callum Fowler, Adam Rehak and Haydn Wootton for this game to leave the Dynamos with only 12 skaters. John Dibble continued in net for the Mo’s after being announced as a permanent feature to the squad hours before the face-off.
The opening period saw Harrison Lillis start as a forward on the top line, with him registering the first shot of the game which Annetts saved. The next line change featured Arran Strawson also have a change of role, stepping up to an advanced position with Jarvis Mewett replenishing the vacant D man spot on the line. A one-two between Ashley Jackson and Steve Osman almost created an opening for the Dynamos whilst a quick change of play had Josh Oliver firing wide of Dibble’s frame in the 7th minute.
Annetts went on to save from Lillis and Ralph before a Jason Ikin minor penalty on 11:43 gave the Dynamos the first powerplay of the game. Within 19 seconds of the one man advantage, the Dynamos lost possession to Jaroslav Cesky who played the puck to Alan Green to open the scoring for 1-0 on 12:02 to claim a goal on the shorthand. With the Dynamos trying to construct a quick reply they fell further behind on 14:34, Ben Nethersell weaving and dancing between challenges to go alone and beat Dibble for a 2-0 lead at the end of the frame.
The second period had Steve Osman and Alan Green slashing each other within 29 seconds of the restart as both teams went 4on4. After the penalties were killed Baily Wootton had a great chance to register the opening Dynamos goal when he broke clean through, only for Annetts to make himself big and save.
The Stars were ow starting to put pressure on the away side, Dibble being called into action to deny Green a second goal of the evening and then Jordan firing wide after a clever back flick by Cesky opened up the Dynamos defence. A tripping penalty against Elliott Dewey on 27:56 gave the Stars a one man advantage—and it only took 16 seconds for Cesky to make it 3-0, Alan Green and Dominic Hopkins claiming the assists.
The hardworking Ashley Jackson carved out an early third period chance for Lillis who in turn found Tommy Ralph on the blue line but the incoming slapshot was seen coming by Annetts who was having one eye on the big shutout by now.
John Dibble kept the Dynamos within a glimmer of hope in the game by keeping out Josh Florey and Jason Ikin, whilst Annetts kept up the good form to deny Baskerville, Condren and Jackson. The gloves came off on 47:54 Baird taking a dislike to Lillis with the Dynamos defenceman come forward edging the fight with Baird ending-up lost in his own jersey.
Save of the game came in the 52nd minute, Ashley Jackson racing through the middle and a clever backhand flick and certain looking goal was brilliantly kept out by Annetts. A timeout call by Kevin Parrish helped refocus the Kent side, Tommy Ralph going coast-to-coast when the game resumed but denied once again by Annetts.
The final goal of the game came the way of Oxford for 4-0 on 55:33—Dom Hopkins unleashing a powerful shot past Dibble with assists to the names of Cesky and Green.
Man of the match awards went to both netminders. John Dibble facing 22 shots for a 81.82% save percentage, Tom Annetts being unbeaten despite facing 37 attempts at his goal.