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The Dynamos returned home to face the Slough Jets, riding high after an impressive away victory over the Jets the previous weekend. They aimed to secure their third win in four matchups against last season’s league champions. The visiting Jets arrived with a roster of 19 players, while the home team was once again slightly short-handed with 15 skaters. Refereeing duties were handled by Fraley, assisted by linesmen Kyrsikov and Roberts. Starting goaltenders were Smital for the Jets and Windebank for the Dynamos. A good-sized crowd was on hand, and the puck was ready to be dropped for an exciting evening of hockey.
Period 1
The game began at a lively pace, with the Jets controlling much of the puck possession and pinning the Dynamos in their defensive zone, though they struggled to create any genuine scoring chances. The Dynamos earned their first powerplay opportunity at 7:14 when English was penalised for slashing, receiving two minutes. However, they were unable to capitalise, and the Jets quickly returned to full strength.
At 9:50, the Jets had a man-advantage when Gatenby was called for interference, but the Dynamos’ solid defensive effort kept them at bay. Once again, the Jets returned to full strength. Later, at 14:06, Ranson was penalised for hooking, giving the Jets another powerplay opportunity. Despite some determined defending and key saves by Windebank, the Dynamos successfully thwarted the visitors’ chances.
Throughout the period, the Jets maintained their possession dominance, but the Dynamos’ resolute defensive play and timely saves kept the score tied at 0-0 as the first period came to an end.
Period 2
Period 2 started in a similar vein to the 1st period with Slough having the bulk of the possession but unable to breach the home side’s defence with the Dynamos looking to counterattack but struggling to get numbers forward to provide any meaningful offence. The Jets had a good chance when Redmond went clear but wasted the shooting chance, the Dynamos did manage to create a couple of chances after that with a couple of shots by Connolly saved by Smital in the Slough net. At 31.48 the Jets thought they had taken the lead but the goal was washed off by Fraley as it was adjudged to have been kicked in by a Jets player, the Dynamos again managed to create a bit more offence and shots from Ranson and Pascale tested Smital but he was equal to the task to keep the game scoreless. The remaining part of the period saw the Jets once again dominate the play but Windebank pulled of some great stops backed up by some good defending minimising any clear chances for the Jets and the period ended with once again the game tied still at 0-0.
Period 3
Period 3 began with both teams eager to break the deadlock. The Dynamos had an early opportunity when, at 41:26, Jets player Clark was assessed a two-minute penalty for high sticking. The Dynamos created some promising chances, with Thune and Connolly both coming close, and a shot from Tombs nearly rebounded in front. However, Smital managed to cover the puck on the second attempt, killing the penalty. The Jets then capitalised on a powerplay when, at 44:39, Gatenby was called for tripping. They took advantage at 45:47, when Hemmings-Maher was found all alone in front and slipped the puck past Windebank, with assists from C. Mohr and Ealey-Newman, putting the Jets ahead 1-0. The home side increased their offensive pressure, leading to a Jets penalty at 51:24 when Liddiard was called for hooking, but the Dynamos were unable to convert.
At 54:28, the Jets drew another penalty, this time English for high sticking. During this sequence, the Dynamos called a timeout. Shortly after, at 56:03, the Jets found themselves short-handed again when Minter was assessed a two-minute penalty for holding. On a brief 5-on-3 powerplay, the Dynamos gained momentum, but the Jets quickly returned to full strength. Then, J. Lindgren scored a short-handed goal, assisted by Hemmings-Maher, to make it 2-0. The Dynamos continued their powerplay pressure, and a controversial hit on Lillis went uncalled until, at 57:29, he was awarded a 10-minute penalty for protesting the missed call. The remaining minutes played out, and the Jets secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory. The Jets were pushed hard throughout the game by a resilient and hardworking Dynamos team, with Windebank making impressive saves and the visitors coming close to equalising late in the third period. Man of the Match for the Jets was Hemmings-Maher, while Worthy earned recognition for his outstanding performance for the Dynamos
Written by Jon Akers
Photos JD Photography