Two goals from Brandon Webster and another from Tomas Banovsky saw the Invicta Dynamos begin the New Year with a victory as they overcame the Oxford City Stars 3-2 on the road in the league on Sunday.
The Mos took a team of fourteen to the Oxford with Joshua Condren, Tommy Ralph, Matt Foord, Billy Woods, Taylor Chard and Juraj Huska all missing out. Ben Clements started in net for the visitors whilst Ross Miller stood between the posts for the hosts.
In the opening frame the Dynamos made an instant impact – Brandon Webster lighting the lamp at 01.15 following build-up play from brother Mason Webster and Tomas Banovsky to put the Mos in front. The visitors then spent large spells of the frame as Richard Harris, Billy Phillips and Tomas Banovsky each picked up penalties putting them shorthanded for extended spells but the hosts were never able to take advantage. They would answer eventually though – at 17.43 Tom Ravenscroft teed up Logan Prince for the finish beyond Ben Clements to tie it up at 1-1.
The Mos were back in front before the break though – Mason Webster claiming his second assist of the night as he found Tomas Banovsky who made the most of a half chance to fire beyond Ross Miller for 2-1.
In the second frame the Mos killed a further powerplay before going on to add to their lead at 35.30. Brandon Webster notched his second of the evening to make it 3-1 after work from Tom Davis and Harrison Lillis. The Stars were given a route back into the game though when Ashley Jackson was controversially penalised for roughing allowing the hosts another spell with the extra man. This time they took advantage – at 38.41 Alexander Staples got the finishing touch after a pass from Logan Prince to cut the deficit to one.
All was to play for in the final period and, though the Dynamos started the frame a man down after Mason Webster was penalised for roughing following some shoving at the close of the second, they withstood Oxford’s early push for a goal. Neither team were then able to add to their tallies for the remainder of the tie leaving the Mos 3-2 winners come the final buzzer.
Man of the match awards went to Brandon Webster of the visitors and Ross Miller of Oxford. Ben Clements finished the tie with a stop rate of 94.29% having denied 33 of 35 attempts on net.