DUANE Ward was undoubtedly player of the weekend for the Gillingham-based Invicta Dynamos ice hockey team. He picked up an impressive tally of five goals, seven assists and two man of the match awards.

Yet despite his heroics the Mos lost 8-4 away on Isle of Wight's notorious small ice, but can take consolation in winning 9-4 in last night's four-point game to Nottingham Lions.

The scheduled away match to Nottingham was cancelled due to venue commitments and it was agreed this match would be played for double points.

Invicta were missing Sean Clement, Jon Gray and Garrett Bruce this weekend, but added former player Dan Fudger to the squad.

On Saturday the Mos made the trip across the water to Ryde where the rink is 165ft x 80ft rink, compared to the more standard 184ft x 85ft size of the Ice Bowl.

As usual the dimensions took a little getting used to and the Mos were behind within 33 seconds when Brad Kenny capitalised on a two on one break.

It got worse when Kenny scored their second at 17.42 after the Dynamos failed to clear their lines, and Jason Coles made it 3-0 just before the break when his slapshot crept under the pads of Matt Van Der Velden.

The second period was equally as bad as the Raiders went 6-0 up through Tony Blaize, Coles and Kenny. Elliot Andrews got the puck in the net, but the goal was ruled out as the net was pushed off of its moorings although it looked like this happened after the puck crossed the line.

The Mos' first goal was Ward scoring from Phil Chard and Matt Beveridge on a powerplay, but the home side regained their six-goal lead when Blaize scored his second of the night.

All hopes of a comeback were long gone although the Dynamos did manage to outscore the Raiders in the third period.

Kenny completed his hat-trick for the Raiders before Chard caught Neil Leary with a huge hit that resulted in a scuffle. Richie Hargreaves received two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct and from the powerplay Carl Greenhous slammed home from Ward and Beveridge.

Another penalty resulted in another powerplay goal for Ward, assisted by Beveridge at 58:44 to bring a modicum of respectability to the scoreline.

Player coach Greenhous said: "We had a poor start, but managed to fight our way back in the third period thanks in large part to Duane Ward who had a fantastic weekend.

"At Isle of Wight the better team does not always win. It's a tough rink for any away team. If you win there it's a bonus - not really expected."

At the Ice Bowl on Sunday, the Mos in their dark away strip never looked in danger of losing the game.

Carl Ambler was given a rare home start in the nets and was called into action within 30 seconds, but it was Mos who took the early lead when that man Ward took the puck all the way up the ice and unselfishly set up Beveridge.

The ever-improving Peter Korff came close at 3.13, but his slapshot was well saved by Lions' player of the match netminder Adam White who faced 52 shots all evening.

Ambler had a good game, but showed his inexperience for the Lions equaliser. With Stuart Brittle looking to skate free the young goalie left his crease and intercepted the puck, but it fell kindly for Stefan Dodwell to slide into the empty net at 6.07.

Invicta responded by laying siege to Nottingham's goal and ended the first period 3-1 up through Andrews and Greg Hales.

The Mos won the second period battle, but it was a bit closer as the Lions scored twice through Phil Hill and Chris Colegate, although the latter was blatantly in the crease when he beat Ambler.

However, goals from Chard and two quick strikes from Ward and Beveridge within 27 seconds of each other gave the home side a comfortably 6-3 lead going into the final 20 minutes.

Mo's seventh was the only goal of the night that did not involve Ward and was smuggled in at 48.19 by Hales assisted by Michael Wales and Beveridge.

Ward was soon back in the scoring groove at 51.01 hitting a scorcher into the top of the net. It was the goal of the game as Ward avoided a check yet still made the pass to Andrews, who slipped it inside for Beveridge to tee up the puck for his fellow Canadian forward.

Staurt Low then did the impossible, dumping 16-stone heavyweight Lee Mercer on his backside. He got two minutes for boarding for his troubles and chuckled his way off the ice to the roars of approval from the noisy home crowd.

Nottingham's last goal came at 53.39 scored by Adam Rollinson, Ward again hit the cross bar and Beveridge had the last say scoring at 55.25 from a - yep you've guessed it - a Ward pass.