It was a hard to take defeat for the Invicta Dynamos on the Isle of Wight on Saturday evening.

With no music, a temporary bar and other facilities it was not the normal surroundings most would have been familiar with on previous encounters.

Callum Fowler twice went close for Invicta early on, one attempt saved by Colclough, the other hitting the goal sanction.  With Nicky Lewis serving a tripping penalty on the 6^th minute Ryan Webb took advantage to edge the hosts in front, assisted by Larter and Cesky. Adam McNicoll and Callum Fowler tried to grab an equaliser but no goal was to come by the end of the first period.

Ex-Dynamo Corey Watkins wiped out Ondrej Zosiak to give the Dynamos a powerplay in the 22^nd minute and a minute later Steve Osman fired the equaliser past Colclough assisted by the lively Fowler and Ozollapa. Corey Watkins was barely back in the ice for a few seconds before he received a 2+10 for a check from behind.

Invicta failed to take advantage of the resulting powerplay, and went down a man themselves when Arran Strawson was ruled for hooking on 25:17 – which led to Wightlink going 2-1 ahead through the unmarked Cesky, Tribe and Larter claiming assists.

Invicta thought they had grabbed the equaliser in the 35^th minute, Ozollapa’s shot appearing to cross the line, but when hooked away the referee blew-up – denying the Dynamos the opportunity to tap home an easy follow up. Arguments started on the ice as a result, Jacob Ranson and Chris Cooke traded blows – both hitting the ice at the same time. Seconds later Josh Condren grabbed the equaliser, the puck beating Colclough on 36:10, assisted by Strawson and Ozollapa.

Eriks Ozollapa had a great one-on-one opportunity early in the third period, electing to shoot rather than deke at Colclough who saved at the feet of the Latvian.  With chances for both sides passing by a delay of game call on Arran Strawson on 54:52 turned the game.

Wightlink scored to make it 3-2 via Cesky – Invicta claiming men in the crease which the officials ignored. Continued protests by Callum Fowler were in vein – the Dynamos forward getting a ten minute misconduct penalty and an early shower for his troubles.

Late chances for Osman and Strawson were saved and after a lengthy unbeaten league run Invicta were finally beaten.

Josh Condren picked-up the man of the match beers for the Dynamos who must now dust themselves down ready for the visit of league leaders Chelmsford on Sunday evening.

Pictures supplied by Nicola Allen.