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Invicta Dynamos 2 – 1 Romford Buccaneers
The Dynamos hosted the Romford Buccaneers in Gillingham for the final league game of the 2025/26 season. With the Dynamos already secured in fourth place, the match offered a valuable opportunity to build momentum ahead of the upcoming playoffs in a few weeks.
For the evening, the Buccaneers travelled with a roster of 20 players, while the home team had 18. Refereeing duties were handled by Stephenson, with Blackwell and Roberts assisting on the lines. The starting netminders were Windebank for the Dynamos and former Dynamo Owen Rider in the visitors’ goal. As both teams lined up, the stage was set for an exciting contest to begin.
Period One
The game began with the Dynamos applying early pressure on the visitors, with Worthy unleashing a well-placed shot that was saved, and Ranson coming close to diverting the puck into the open net but narrowly missing. At 4:04, Campbell received a two-minute slashing penalty for the Buccaneers, while Connolly of the Dynamos was assessed two minutes for abuse of an official. Despite the penalties, the game remained at five skaters apiece.
The Dynamos continued to look more threatening, with Gatenby firing a shot that was saved and Jackson narrowly missing the net with a shot just past the post. At 10:11, Woodstock of the Buccaneers was awarded a two-minute penalty for interference. During the ensuing power play, the Dynamos created several good chances for Connolly and Ranson, but Rider stood firm, successfully killing the penalty.
As the period progressed, the visitors began to find their rhythm, with Windebank making two key saves to deny former Dynamo Huska. Late in the period, the Dynamos had scoring opportunities through Heath and Jackson, both of which Rider thwarted. The first period ended with the score tied at 0-0, as both teams entered the break still searching for the opening goal.
Period Two
The second period began with both teams eager to break the deadlock. In the opening minutes, the Dynamos looked more threatening, with shots from Gatenby, Pywell, and Prentice all well-saved by Rider, while Jackson’s shot narrowly missed the far post.
At 26:44, the Dynamos finally capitalised on their pressure, as Pywell picked up the puck, faked out Rider, and scored unassisted to put the home team ahead.
Shortly after, at 29:04, Pickering of the visitors received a two-minute boarding penalty. However, the Dynamos killed the penalty efficiently, and play resumed at full strength. The visitors then defended stoutly, with Rider making key saves against shots from Thune, Vigar, and Heath, keeping the score at 1-0.
At 34:10, Ranson of the Dynamos was assessed two minutes for hooking, followed by Huska of the Buccaneers at 35:22 for slashing, resulting in a brief 4-on-4 situation. Both penalties expired quickly, and play returned to 5-on-5.
Later, at 37:46, Wilson of the Buccaneers was called for interference, giving the Dynamos an extra skater. The intensity escalated at 39:33 when Heath and Woolmore dropped the gloves, earning five-minute fighting majors. Just seconds later, at 39:47, Coe received a two-minute slashing penalty for the Buccaneers. The period ended shortly thereafter, with the Dynamos leading 1-0.
Period Three
The Dynamos opened the third period on the power play, but once again, Rider was in form, making crucial saves to deny Gatenby and Jackson. The visitors successfully killed the penalty, and the game remained tied. At 43:45, the Buccaneers equalised when Maskalans skated through the Dynamos’ defence and fired a shot past Windebank, with an assist from Campbell.
At 44:27, Pascale was assessed a two-minute penalty for slashing. The Dynamos defended the penalty well and killed it, returning to full strength. The visitors then had another power play at 49:44 when Jackson was called for hooking, but they failed to generate significant pressure, and play returned to five-on-five.
Later, at 52:04, Woolmore received a two-minute hooking penalty. Once again, the Dynamos’ penalty kill held firm, and the power play ended without any scoring. As the game entered the final five minutes, both teams intensified their efforts to find a winning goal. It was the Dynamos who finally broke through at 58:13, with some excellent work by Thune, who found Prentice, and he fired a shot under Rider, with Tombs earning the second assist.
The Buccaneers called a timeout and pulled Rider for an extra skater in an attempt to force an equaliser. However, at 59:37, Worthy of the Dynamos was penalised for tripping, giving the Buccs a 6-on-4 advantage for the final moments. Despite the pressure, the Dynamos held firm, and the game ended with a 2-1 victory for the Dynamos.
This sometimes-scrappy game saw the Dynamos finish their league campaign on a high note. Without Rider in net for the visitors, the scoreline might have been more comfortable for the home team. Man of the Match for the Buccaneers was Rider, while Pywell’s hardworking efforts earned him the honours for the Dynamos. The team now shifts focus to the playoffs in two weeks.
Written by Jon Akers
Photos icyphotography
Match Editing Freya McCune