Match Report
Invicta Dynamos 3 v 4 Chelmsford Chieftains
League, Sunday 26th October
The Dynamos returned to action with a league match against their old rivals, the Chelmsford Chieftains. Eager to avenge their previous losses to the Chieftains and secure valuable league points, the Dynamos aimed to climb the standings. Both teams faced roster challenges, missing key players. Connolly for the Dynamos and Lack for the Chieftains, but each still fielded an 18-player lineup. The refereeing crew was led by Evans, assisted by Hill and Haslemere. Starting netminders were Miller for the visitors and Windebank for the Dynamos. With a large crowd in attendance, the stage was set for an exciting face-off.
Period 1
The game began at a lively pace, with both teams eager to assert their dominance early on. The Chieftains appeared to have taken an early lead, but the goal was disallowed as Evans blew his whistle before the puck crossed the line, leaving the score tied at 0-0. As the game progressed, the Dynamos started to find their rhythm and came close to opening the scoring. Ranson’s shot was cleared off the line, while Thune and Tombs tested Miller in the visitors’ net with several shots. At the other end, Windebank was equally impressive, making some key saves to keep the Dynamos in the game.
At 11:29, both teams received their first penalties of the night, Chard for the Dynamos and Hitchins for the Chieftains, each penalised for holding, but the game remained 5-on-5. It was the Dynamos who finally broke the deadlock at 12:12, thanks to a slick combination between Bronnimann and Thune. Thune fired a shot past Miller, putting the home team ahead 1-0. The Dynamos continued to press, with Bronnimann coming close to doubling the lead. Windebank made several more crucial saves, denying the Chieftains multiple scoring opportunities. The period ended with the Dynamos leading 1-0, holding onto their slim advantage.
Period 2
The second period began with the visitors eager to mount a comeback. They were given an early opportunity when, at 21:35, Gatenby was penalised for high sticks, resulting in a power play for the Chieftains. Capitalising on the advantage, they tied the game when Grant Bartlett fired a shot past Windebank, with assists from Cam Bartlett and Sam Russell.
Just over two minutes later, at 23:58, the Dynamos faced another setback as Pascale was called for charging. Once again, the Chieftains took advantage of the power play, with Cam Bartlett scoring from the blue line, assisted by Grant Bartlett, giving them a 2-1 lead. The Dynamos struggled to clear their zone and generate offence, and at 29:55, O’Neil was penalised for tripping. However, the home team successfully killed off the penalty, returning the game to 5-on-5.
The visitors continued to pose a threat, and at 35:22, Soar managed to force the puck home, assisted by Barnes-Garner, increasing the Chieftains’ lead to 3-1. The Dynamos responded with a power play of their own when, at 36:17, Sam Russell was penalised for slashing. They made the most of the opportunity, and at 37:53, Ranson fired a shot past Miller, assisted by Tombs and Pywell, narrowing the gap to 3-2. The period ended with the score close and everything still to play for.
Period 3
The third period began with a cautious pace, as neither team was able to create many scoring opportunities in the early minutes. The Dynamos finally equalised at 44:27 when Pascale fired a shot from the right wing past Miller, assisted by Tombs, making it 3-3. As the game progressed, both teams increased their intensity, with O’Neil coming close on two occasions and Pascale seeing his shot saved. At the other end, Windebank made a superb save from a shot by Soar to keep the game level.
At 50:49, the Chieftains were awarded a penalty when Sam Russell was called for slashing. During the resulting power play, Prentice went close to scoring, but the Dynamos successfully killed the penalty, and the game returned to 5-on-5. The match continued at a frantic pace, with both sides creating chances, but excellent saves from both goalkeepers kept the score tied. Late in the game, Windebank made a couple of crucial stops to deny Chelmsford, but regulation time ended at 3-3, sending the game into 3-on-3 overtime.
The overtime period was fast-paced and end-to-end, but it was Grant Bartlett who ultimately broke free at 62:20. He skated across Windebank and fired a shot into the net, securing a 4-3 victory for the Chieftains.
The Dynamos delivered a significantly improved performance against a strong Chelmsford team, thoroughly deserving of at least a point. They were unfortunate not to secure all three in the final period. The Man of the Match honours went to Hitchins for the Chieftains and the ever-diligent Ranson for the Dynamos.
Written by Jon Akers