Martin Melichercik and Milan Kostolny hit hat-tricks as Invicta Dynamos qualified for the ENIHL Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 8-4 victory over South 2 side Chelmsford Chieftains at the Ice Bowl on Sunday.

A five-goal blitz late in the final period put paid to Chieftains' hopes after they’d matched Invicta for the first 45 minutes.

The hosts didn’t manage a lead of any sort in the first two periods as Lee Brears, Darren Brown and Richard Whiting gave Chelmsford the edge.

But Melichercik, Kostolny and Adam Copland cancelled out the visitors’ goals and Elliot Andrews finally gave Invicta the advantage with a penalty shot at 41.42, only for Chelmsford to make it 4-4.

A nervous last 15 minutes looked certain to follow, but after Kostolny scored his second Melichercik added another within 30 seconds. The two Slovaks then completed their hat-tricks.

Kevin Parrish’s men remain undefeated at the top of the South group, with Chelmsford and Peterborough battling for the remaining qualification spot.