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Invicta Dynamos play Romford Buccaneers at Planet Ice, Gillingham on Saturday and travel to Milton Keynes Thunder on Sunday in NIHL South Division 1

Opportunity knocks for Invicta Dynamos this weekend as they look to put a couple more wins on the board in NIHL South Division 1.

First up for the Mos is a home game against Romford Buccaneers on Saturday - a side they beat 11-4 two weeks ago - before a Sunday match against bottom side and winless Milton Keynes Thunder.

Invicta Dynamos versus Swindon Wildcats 2 at Planet Ice, Gillingham last Sunday Picture: David Trevallion
Invicta Dynamos versus Swindon Wildcats 2 at Planet Ice, Gillingham last Sunday Picture: David Trevallion

Head coach Karl Lennon said: “At this point in time we now need to start chalking up wins and making sure that we're putting points on the board every week.

“This weekend presents us with an opportunity to come out with six points and if we don't, then that's on us.

“We really are a team that's capable. We need to make sure that when we play this weekend we take all of what's available to us.”

The Dynamos will be facing their former star import Juraj Huska again when Romford visit, which means they can’t take Saturday’s game for granted, but confidence is high.

Last Sunday the Mos won 6-1 against Swindon Wildcats 2 and in recent defeats against Chelmsford Chieftains and Streatham Redhawks they’ve competed well.

Aaron Connolly with an attempt at goal for Invicta Dynamos Picture: David Trevallion
Aaron Connolly with an attempt at goal for Invicta Dynamos Picture: David Trevallion

Wins over Romford and last weekend against Swindon were harder than they needed to be, however, said the head coach.

He said: “When we played Romford we made harder work of it, again, than we needed to for a spell of the game but there were two spells at the start and at the end that we played really, really well.

“We'll take some confidence on that part at least. They are a good side. They've got some good, young, talented players and a couple of experienced ones that keep them all together and, of course, Juraj Huska will be back to Invicta as well, which will be great to see him here.”

MK Thunder have had a tough start to the season and were beaten 17-0 and 12-2 by Streatham last weekend.

Lennon is still cautious against a side with several players on two-way contracts.

He said: “The thing is with younger teams like those, you never really know what version of them is going to show up or what players they have available, which makes a difference too.”

Dylan Worthy in action for Invicta Dynamos against Swindon Wildcats 2 Picture: David Trevallion
Dylan Worthy in action for Invicta Dynamos against Swindon Wildcats 2 Picture: David Trevallion

Last weekend saw Mos’ netminder Owen Rider loaned out to NIHL side Bristol Pitbulls and he picked up the MOM award for them on Sunday in their game against Leeds Knights. He’d also played the night before against Romford Raiders.

Two defeats, but a great experience for the goalie.

Lennon said: “They were in a tight spot because of injury to both of their netminders and by coincidence, Owen's schedule of games that we'd planned for him and Brad meant that Brad was playing this Sunday and Owen would be backing up.

“He had a good weekend and was excited and happy to have got the opportunity, which is great. We're dead proud of him because it's a great example of his development.

“My intention with young players here is only to push them forward as best they can. He certainly grabbed the opportunity and did a great job.”

It left a space in the squad last weekend for 16-year-old netminder Nikolai Divall from the club’s junior team. He didn’t get on the ice in the end but Lennon was pleased he got a taste of the senior team.

Invicta Dynamos’ netminder Owen Rider played for Bristol Pitbulls at the weekend Picture: David Trevallion
Invicta Dynamos’ netminder Owen Rider played for Bristol Pitbulls at the weekend Picture: David Trevallion

Lennon said: “I was hoping that maybe he’d get some minutes but I didn't feel comfortable really until maybe the last minute of the game.

“It sounds ridiculous in a 6-1 win but everything can change in a minute. You can concede two goals in a minute and then you can be right up against it again. I think we got our final two in the last couple of minutes, at which point in time it's probably not worth putting him on for that sake anyway.

“When the goalies are off the ice at Invicta they actually sit in the penalty box.

“He said he could hear the fans interacting. It's his first experience of that. He's never really seen or heard that before. Whether they're positive or harsh or whatever it might be in between, it's good for him to hear that there's an expectation here, which is cool. He was really happy for the experience.”

Saturday’s game against the Buccaneers at Planet Ice, Gillingham starts at 5.45pm.

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