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Ambitious ice men in good shape

PHIL CHARD: knows his team are facing quality players
PHIL CHARD: knows his team are facing quality players

AFTER the season’s shaky start, the Gillingham-based Invicta Dynamos ice hockey team have won 10 of their last 12 games and will be out to add to this impressive record by beating Isle of Wight and Nottingham this weekend.

Isle of Wight away is always a hard game because the small rink gives the Raiders, who are used to its dimensions, a substantial advantage.

Since the Raiders last lost - a 4-2 defeat at the Ice Bowl earlier this month - they have turned it around and are unbeaten in five.

The last time the Mos ventured to Quay Road they outshot the home side 53-46, but lost 7-6 so will be looking for revenge.

Captain Phil Chard said: “Andy Pickles and Jason Coles must be back for them because they were definitely hurting when those two were missing.

“They are their danger players, but we are in good shape. We hope Sean Clement will ice after coming through training this weekend, although his shoulder is still tender.”

The Nottingham game on Sunday will be a blackout game, which involves supporters being asked to dress in black as the team dons their all-black away strip to menace the Lions.

Chard said: “We have to make sure we keep concentration in games like these. Lackadaisical play is dangerous, both regarding results and the possibility for picking up injuries.

“We must put in maximum effort and work on aspects of our own game. We have been creating loads of chances, but need to be more clinical in our finishing, especially on power plays.”

Fans will hope Sunday is half as entertaining as last weekend’s game where Slough Jets skated off the ice with 11 seconds remaining in protest at referee Gary Plaistow who handed out 163 minutes in penalty time to the team.

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