THE Gillingham-based Invicta Dynamos ice hockey team face two of the English National Premier League title favourites this weekend without influential captain Phil Chard.

They travel to Milton Keynes and are home to Peterborough Phantoms. Top of the table Lightning have only lost twice this season, once to the Phantoms and a shock 6-4 defeat at Romford on Saturday.

Peterborough also suffered a slight wobble last weekend, losing their unbeaten record to Slough Jets by the odd goal in 15.

Former Mos favourite Mikko Skinnari has settled into his new home in Milton Keynes scoring seven goals in 10 games, but his tally is overshadowed by hotshots Gary Clarke (18), Greg Owen (15), Nick Poole (11) and Greg Randall (11).

Player coach Carl Greenhous said: “Last weekend's results showed that both teams can be beaten and we aim to give them that losing feeling again.

“When we played MK last it was the first game of the season and we were not up to match fitness because we had not played any warm up games.

“Now we are stronger and new signing Stuart Low has made our second line much more dynamic and the team as a whole more balanced.

“We know it will still be tough as Phil Chard is a big miss and we are still a player or two light, but I have a few people in mind and we will be trying to talk to them as soon as possible.”

In the first meeting between Mos and Phantoms on Sunday there will also be some players familiar to the Ice Bowl, in the form of brothers Jon and Darren Cotton and ex-Medway Bear Luc Chabot.

In captain Doug McEwen the Phantoms have one of the most experienced players in the league.

The 38-year-old veteran of 16 years in British hockey, 10 with the Cardiff Devils, arrived at Peterborough with 923 career goals and 983 assists to his credit from 825 games and has topped the 100-point mark in 10 of his seasons in this country.

Greenhous added: “Apart from the three we know the Phantoms are a bit of an unknown quantity with a mix of former BNL and ED1 players. As always we will be going out to give a good account of ourselves and to entertain the fans.”

Face off on Sunday is 5.15pm at the Ice Bowl in Amberley Road. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the door and cost £7 for adults and £4 for under-16s. A family ticket (two adults, two children) is available for £20. Season tickets are priced £140 for adults and £90 for children. To book call 01634 388477.