IT’S play-off time for the Gillingham-based Invicta Dynamos ice hockey squad - and no team has a tougher start.

On Saturday, they travel to English National Premier League runners-up Milton Keynes Lightning, who have only been beaten once all season on home ice. That was a surprise 6-2 ENPL Cup defeat in mid-February to Slough Jets, who the Mos host on Sunday.

Lightning are group favourites and many people’s tip to win the play-off title, including Dynamos’ captain Phil Chard.

He said: “They are a tough side to beat particularly on their own rink. In fact, I don’t think any side can beat them there. Having said that, we are capable of beating anyone on our day.

“We need to go into these play-offs with the aim to win all our home games and try and pinch a few on our travels. Compared to last season we have had a poor year but that counts for little now. The most important thing is to win the play-offs.

“Last year we won the league by a distance but it would have meant nothing if we hadn’t have won the play-offs. But we did and that experience can only help us.”

Slough player-coach Warren Rost comments on his club’s official website this week will no doubt re-ignite this season’s simmering feud between the two clubs.

Rost is scathing about the clash between the Dynamos’ Greg Hales and David Heath in the last game between the two sides, which saw the Jets forward ejected from the game.

He said: “We haven't had the best of times against Invicta this year. I have always felt we have been the better team, but for one reason or another, things haven’t gone according to plan.”

The Slough coach’s smugness about the fact that the 5-4 result of the game on February 23 will stand will also grate on the nerves of Mos fans, players and management alike.

The Dynamos expected to be awarded a 5-0 default win because Slough iced a player not listed on the team-sheet.

Rost said: “The result against Invicta in their building, when I left Matt Sirman off the game sheet, will stand.

“Quite right to and I expected as much. It makes me a bit of muppet for forgetting him in the first place but calling Matt an ineligible player was always a little strange.

The coach will leave the Ice Bowl on Saturday at 2.30pm to Milton Keynes. The price is £23 for supporters’ club members and £25 for non-members. That price includes admission and fare. For more details contact Barry Stubbs on 07958 535067.