Controversy surrounded the end of the opening game of the new year for the Invicta Dynamos as they drew 6-6 at Streatham Redskins.

Kevin Parrish’s side believed they’d won the game 7-5, but a change of mind by the officials saw the two sides take away a point each from the NIHL South clash.

The Dynamos went into the game with a full roster and looking for revenge after the home defeat to the Redskins in the league just before Christmas.

In the end, they were to be involved in an entertaining game on their first visit to the new Streatham Arena.

It was the home side that started the game the stronger of the two sides with Sean Scarbrough putting Streatham 2-0 up in the opening two minutes of the game, but the Dynamos were to pull one back just a minute later through Callum Fowler.

Invicta had a chance to level in the opening period with Slovak Marek Nahlik brought down when through on goal, but from the resulting penalty Streatham netminder Will Sanderson was able to push the puck onto the post.

The Dynamos were to claw themselves level early in the second period through leading scorer Andy Smith, but were behind again not long after as the impressive Joe Allen scored.

Import Juraj Huska was to get his first of the night to pull the Dynamos level once again with Invicta netminder Chris Douglas showing why he is one of the best netminders in the league when he pulled off a fine penalty save to deny Callum Best.

Pressure from the Dynamos was to pay off shortly after as Danny Hammond set up Huska for his second of the night to give the visitors a 4-3 lead.

However, the two sides were to go in level at the end of the second period with Scarbrough grabbing his hat-trick.

Scarbrough was to add another for Streatham in the third period with the Dynamos enjoying a powerplay with Hammond pulling the score level once more.

A breakaway from Callum Fowler set up Huska for his third of the night to give the Dynamos a 6-5 lead and they seemed destined for victory until the controversial end of the game.

With Streatham having pulled their netminder in the final minute, Oravec slapped the puck off the back bar past Douglas and as they celebrated, they failed to notice the official had washed the goal out and the Dynamos had gone down the other end and Smith fired home.

Cue pandemonium amongst the away support as they believed they’d snatched the win, but there followed much confusion.

After much deliberation between the officials, the Streatham goal was allowed to stand and the game was to end 6-6.

So incensed by the decision by the referee, Dynamos Head Coach Kevin Parrish received a two minute bench minor for his protestations.

The Dynamos will have little time to reflect on this game as the Chelmsford Chieftains come to Gillingham on Sunday night for the latest of their SouthEast Trophy clashes.

Face off is at 5:15pm and a minute’s silence will be held before the game for long standing supporter Christopher Rushton was has sadly passed away.

Picture supplied by David Trevallion.