Invicta Dynamos 9 Solihull Barons 4

THE Gillingham-based Invicta Dynamos ice hockey team tore apart fellow English Premier League title contenders Solihull Barons with a breathtaking display in the third period at the Ice Bowl last night. The Dynamos only took a slender 3-2 lead into the last period, before blasting six more goals in the final 20 minutes.

A good night for the Dynamos was slightly marred by a vicious unprovoked attack on Phil Chard by notorious Barons hardman Stephen Doyle. Doyle dragged Chard across the ice to the corner of the rink before pummelling him repeatedly while, at the same time, Mark Williams was punching Sean Clement on the floor in front of the goalmouth.

After the brawl was broken up, an incensed Dynamos player-coach Andy Hannah removed his helmet and dropped gloves, skated onto the ice, and was willing to take on Doyle, but the Solihull player showed a reluctance to get involved and was escorted back to his bench.

The Dynamos players then went back to their dressing room while the officials handed Doyle and Williams match penalties before the play recommenced. That controversial ending to the game should not overshadow what was an excellent performance by the Dynamos who have now defeated all their championship rivals this season.

They are only denied top place in the table by the fact leaders Isle of Wight Raiders have played so many more games. "We are in a really good position,"said Hannah. "I think the only team that can beat us now are ourselves. We have just got to make sure we continue to put in the work ethic.

"We were a little slow at the start against Solihull, but we picked the game up and we are on a roll with scoring goals at the moment. Some of their guys were breathing hard in the third period and I think we have got a little bit more fitness than some teams."

Dynamos got off to the worst possible start by conceding the only goal of the first period after only 13 seconds when Dan Mackrell scored from close range. The home team went on to dominate the first period firing in 18 shots on the visitors' goal but, despite their concerted pressure, the Dynamos found Barons netminder David Whitwell was equal to everything thrown at him.

Dynamos continued to enjoy the upper hand at the start of the second period and it was no surprise when Hannah and Mike Kindred (23:56) combined and the latter scored to bring the Dynamos level.

A blue line shot by Clement (27:23) on a powerplay put the Dynamos in front, before the home side capitalised on a five on three situation to notch a third goal through Chard (28:44).

Solihull missed a golden chance to reduce the arrears when Kevin Conway's penalty shot was saved by Matt Van der Velden, but they eventually got themselves back into the game through Samuli Mykkanen on 31:45.

Hannah (43:47) got the fourth from point blank range, to ease the home supporters' nerves, and Matt Beveridge (44:58) put the result beyond doubt soon after by shooting high into the net. By the time Hannah (48:55) netted the sixth and Elliot Andrews (49:10) got the seventh, Whitwell's confidence was shot to pieces and he had to be replaced between the pipes by Tom Ayers.

The goals continued to flow with Kindred (53:07) notching his second and Greg Hales (56:58) adding his name to the scoresheet, before Doyle's violent intervention temporarily halted play.

When the game finally got back underway again Conway (59:45) added a short-handed goal for the Barons but by that time it was all academic.