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The Dynamos hosted the reigning league champions, the Slough Jets, at Gillingham in a special fixture commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Ice Hockey in Gillingham. In honour of this milestone, the home team donned tribute jerseys dedicated to the Medway Bears for the evening. The visitors arrived with a roster of 21 players, while the Dynamos fielded 20. Starting goaltenders were Smital for the Jets and Windebank for the Dynamos. The match was officiated by referee Tasker, assisted by Hill and Myrsikov. As both teams lined up for the national anthem, anticipation grew, signalling that the puck was ready to drop.
Period 1
The game began with both teams eager to seize the momentum, and the home side had an early chance on the power play. At 1:48, Smital of the Jets was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding, but the Dynamos couldn’t capitalise on the ensuing man advantage, and play returned to even strength. Shortly after, the visitors took the lead at 5:50 when English found himself alone in front of Windebank and fired past the goaltender, assisted by Cave-Humphrey, making it 1-0.
At 6:17, a spirited Dynamos attack led to a collision in front of the Slough net, resulting in both teams dropping the gloves. L. Smital and Lillis squared off, each earning five-minute majors for fighting, while Pywell received two minutes for slashing. The penalty kill was successful, but the home team soon found themselves shorthanded again when Smith was flagged for high sticks at 14:53. Despite the penalty, the Jets couldn’t capitalise on the power play.
The game intensified dramatically at 14:53 when, following a stoppage, L. Smital came off the bench and charged into Windebank in the Dynamos net, igniting chaos. Both benches emptied, and a brawl erupted, with sticks and gloves flying as tempers flared on both sides. After the dust settled, penalties were assessed: Worthy received two minutes for high sticks; Eeles, Lillis, and L. Smital each received five-minute majors for fighting, with L. Smital also handed a game misconduct for cross-checking and fighting. The Jets’ penalties included English and Affleck, both given five-minute majors for fighting.
Later, at 17:53, J. Lindgren was assessed a two-minute penalty for holding, giving the Dynamos a rare 5-on-3 advantage. However, they couldn’t capitalsze on the opportunity, and the wild period concluded with Slough leading 1-0.
Period 2
The second period opened with the visitors asserting their dominance, pressing to extend their lead. However, Windebank stood tall in the Dynamos net, keeping the score close. Gradually, the Dynamos found their rhythm and tested Smital with shots from Gatenby and Connolly. The pace slowed somewhat during this stretch as both teams’ defences tightened, stifling offensive opportunities.
At 31:03, a well-executed play by Smith behind the Slough goal set up Pascale, who fired a shot through Smital, with Tombs providing the second assist, tying the game at 1-1. The intensity then picked up again as both teams searched for a go-ahead goal. Lindgren broke free on a breakaway, but Windebank made an excellent pad save to deny him, followed by another spectacular stop on the rebound.
The Dynamos took the lead at 36:49 when Ranson slid the puck into the net, assisted by Jackson and Connolly. Shortly afterward, at 37:36, Pascale was assessed two minutes for hooking, and at 38:59, Ranson received a two-minute penalty for illegal equipment. The home team successfully killed the first penalty but couldn’t hold out against the second. Just before the period ended, at 39:49, J. Lindgren scored an unassisted goal, levelling the score at 2-2 as the second period concluded.
Period 3
Period three began cautiously, with neither team managing much more than a few long-range shots on net. The Dynamos gradually increased the pressure, and Connolly nearly capitalised on a good scoring chance, only to be denied by Smital. At 49:21, a strong forecheck by the Dynamos forced a turnover, allowing Thune to find Smith, who calmly slotted the puck past Smital to give the home side a 3-2 lead.
The Dynamos continued their offensive push, with shots from Connolly, Prentice, and Strawson testing Smital and electrifying the crowd. At 54:16, the Jets were assessed a penalty when Clark was called for hooking, giving the Dynamos a prime power-play opportunity to extend their lead. Ironically, it was the Jets who came closest to scoring during the power play, but the penalty was successfully killed off.
With just over two minutes remaining, at 56:45, Ranson was called for slashing, prompting the Jets to call a timeout and pull their goalie for a 6-on-4 advantage. They nearly equalised, but Windebank made a stunning save while sprawled on the ice, keeping the puck out of the net. The Dynamos called a timeout at 58:21 to regroup, which helped them kill the remaining penalty. The Jets pulled their goalie again, but the resilient Dynamos defence held firm. As the clock wound down, Ranson fired a shot from the neutral zone that trickled into the empty net, sparking jubilant scenes from players and fans alike. The game ended with the Dynamos securing a 4-2 victory. This was a fitting tribute night honouring the legends who have skated in Gillingham over the past 40 years, an occasion that will remain vivid in the memories of many fans for years to come. The entire Dynamos roster delivered arguably their best performance of the season, making the night even more special. Man of the Match awards went to Cave-Humphrey for the Jets and the outstanding Windebank for the Dynamos, whose numerous spectacular saves kept the game fiercely competitive.
Written by Jon Akers