A pair from Daniel Hammond alongside a strike from Juraj Huska saw the Invicta Dynamos lose by just one on the Isle of Wight on Saturday as the Wightlink Raiders secured a narrow 4-3 edge in the first leg of the NIHL Southern Playoff Semi-final.
With Shaun Yardley and Ryan Giles absentees through injury, the Mos travelled to the Isle of Wight looking for a score line they could, at worst, turn in their favour back on home ice the following night and they did a good job in the first period finishing the frame at 2-2. The hosts initially started well and took the lead – the clock stopping at 05.58 when Steve Osman rifled beyond Chris Douglas unassisted to put the home side 1-0 up. However, at 12.52 the visitors answered – Callum Fowler and Andy Smith claiming assists as Juraj Huska left Matt Colclough grasping at air by driving in for 1-1. At 14.26 the Mos were then in front – Daniel Hammond countering up the ice and thundering in from distance to the delight of the sizeable away support – Arran Strawson taking a point with his assist. The Raiders would ensure they were level by the break though and responded at 16.55 – Craig Tribe finding Alex Barker and the former Slough man demonstrating why he was voted to the NIHL’s All-Star line-up with a calm finish.
2-2 going into the second the pressure was on the hosts to take full advantage of their home ice and they registered within just 11 seconds of the restart – Alex Barker adding to his late equaliser in the first by doubling up with another straight from the off. The Dynamos would battle on though and mustered a reply at 26.42 – Chris Cooke finding Daniel Hammond and the number 9 going on to do the rest with a fine finish that saw him take his tally to two. Neither side were then able to add to their scores despite the Mos testing Matt Colclough a total of 10 times and Chris Douglas facing the rubber on 12 occasions.
In the final frame the game remained tight with both teams refusing to give ground in a fairly even period. Matt Colclough would face 12 efforts from the Dynamos but kept them all at bay whilst Chris Douglas was tested 15 times – the final strike of the night eluding him at 55.14. Just as it seemed the sides were then destined to move on to Gillingham all square for the second leg, Wightlink import Matt Vizzari gave the hosts a lead they could defend with a quality shot following work from Richard Facey. It would prove to be the decider with the final buzzer sounding minutes later to confirm a narrow 4-3 victory for the Raiders.
So it was defeat for the Mos but one that seemed manageable ahead of the second leg back on home ice the following night. Man of the match awards went to double goal scorer Daniel Hammond of the Dynamos whilst Steve Osman took the plaudits for the Raiders.