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Invicta Dynamos host Cardiff Fire in Gillingham on Saturday and travel to Milton Keynes Thunder on Sunday in NIHL South Division 1

Invicta Dynamos returned from a weekend road trip boasting a healthy points haul.

A big win at Cardiff Fire was followed up by a shoot-out victory over Swindon Wildcats 2 on the Sunday.

Aaron Connolly played on with a broken thumb but it was a broken skate that ended his involvement at the weekend Picture: Jessica Dewey
Aaron Connolly played on with a broken thumb but it was a broken skate that ended his involvement at the weekend Picture: Jessica Dewey

Those two results, combined with some encouraging recent performances, have breathed plenty of confidence into the team ahead of two more NIHL South Division 1 games that look winnable on paper.

The Mos make a welcome return to Gillingham this Saturday (5.45pm) when they host Cardiff Fire at Planet Ice and then head to Milton Keynes Thunder for a late start (7.30pm) on Sunday.

Head coach Karl Lennon said: “It’s a chance for us to build something.

“It's been a couple of weeks since we played at home and it will be good to be back.

“Of course, the full expectation on us is to get two wins and we'll do everything within our power to make that happen.

Young netminder Nikolai Divall was impressive for the Mos on Saturday Picture: David Trevallion
Young netminder Nikolai Divall was impressive for the Mos on Saturday Picture: David Trevallion

“The boys are on a high, not only because of the weekend's results just gone, but also good performances against Streatham and against Chelmsford, despite the final period not going the way we wanted it.

“We've had some good, solid performances behind us now and we need to make sure that we take that even further.”

Last weekend started with a 9-2 win over Cardiff, in a match delayed due to a training session by the club’s no.1 side the Devils.

A late start didn’t put the Mos off and they dominated from the start.

Goals from James Laming, Louis Colvin - who took his points tally past the 100 mark at the weekend - and Conolly put them 3-0 up after the first.

Tom Soar got a hat-trick while Richard Harris and Ruskin Springer-Hughes also registered goals.

Lennon had high praise for 16-year-old netminder Nikolai Divall who started his first away game.

“He was absolutely fantastic,” said the coach.

“He made a string of ridiculous saves at certain points but the general flow of the game was quite comfortable.

“We were pretty dominant in terms of our scoring.”

The Mos did suffer with the loss of Regan O’Neill who had stepped in to defend their young netminder. Cardiff had taken a shot on Divall after the whistle had been blown, leading to an altercation.

Tom Soar hit a hat-trick for the Invicta Dynamos Picture: David Trevallion
Tom Soar hit a hat-trick for the Invicta Dynamos Picture: David Trevallion

O’Neill was penalised for roughing, fighting and misconduct and he subsequently sat out the game in Swindon.

Lennon said: “There was an altercation but I don't really think it was justifiable in removing of him from the game. I thought it was very excessive.”

The Mos were considering their options and whether the incident needs to be reviewed.

A stop-over in Cardiff on Saturday night was followed by a trip to Nando’s the next day and a game of crazy golf before taking on the Swindon Wildcats 2.

A tight game finished 3-3 and it wasn’t without a few interesting moments.

Oli Bronnimann’s goal to make it 2-2 hadn’t initially been given, with the goal judge unsure it had gone in. Lennon was in no doubt that the well-hit slap-shot had gone in off the keeper’s gloves before bouncing out.

The game continued for over a minute before a break in play led to the two linesmen explaining that the puck had gone in, leading to the clock being wound back and Mos getting their goal for 2-2.

Brad Windebank picked up the MOM for Invicta Dynamos on Sunday Picture: David Trevallion
Brad Windebank picked up the MOM for Invicta Dynamos on Sunday Picture: David Trevallion

Both teams scored again and at 3-3 Swindon had a goal ruled out after the Mos netty had his stick knocked out of his hands. It was clear interference.

Lennon said: “You can't do that in hockey. For me, it was clear and obvious. No goal. Of course, on the night, it was contended by them.”

The Mos had to kill a two-minute penalty early in overtime, with Dan Scott playing a key role in keeping them stable at the back.

In the shootout, Brad Windebank proved his quality once again for the Mos, conceding only twice.

Lennon said: “Cam Pywell turned around and said to me, ‘I'll take one. I fancy taking one, I think I'll score’. I was like, ‘okay’, and he did.

That was the game winner.

Cameron Pywell scored Invicta Dynamos’ winner in the shootout on Sunday Picture: David Trevallion
Cameron Pywell scored Invicta Dynamos’ winner in the shootout on Sunday Picture: David Trevallion

“During the regulation game, I would say 3-3 was a fair result and I'm just happy we got that extra point with the shootout win.

“It made the journey all the more worthwhile.

“We had an incredible following over the weekend, with 30-40 people who travelled the country with us firstly in Cardiff and then in full force on the Sunday in Swindon. They were special.”

Lennon spoke about some of his players who went the extra mile, including his injured captain.

“Aaron is an absolute trooper,” he said.

“Not only was he injured with his thumb broken in three places, playing through that pain, but he was actually unwell too.

“He still managed to pick up a couple of goals and three assists on Saturday, led by example there, and then got another one on Sunday.

“He wasn’t the only one. Joe Stephenson popped his elbow open on Saturday night and had three stitches in it, but he played the whole of Sunday, and was fantastic in the game.

“Then we had the heroics of Brad in goal, who's also carrying some knocks at the moment. To go 11 rounds in a shootout tells you that the goalie's done a pretty sterling job, and he was a man-of-the-match on the night, and was excellent as well again.”

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