Invicta took to the ice for their sole game of the weekend—a league matchup against a Swindon 2 team that has returned to the league this season after several years in a lower division. The face-off was delayed until 6:15 due to the Swindon team’s late arrival caused by traffic congestion. Invicta fielded a roster of 18 players, while Swindon had 16, which included former Dynamos goaltender Dibble. The officiating crew for the evening consisted of Fraley, assisted by Fraley and Earl. Starting in goal for the Dynamos was Windebank, while Clark-Leach tended the net for the Wildcats. As the players took to the ice and the national anthem was performed, both teams huddled at their respective nets, ready for the face-off!
Period 1
Invicta came out determined to take control of the game against the Wildcats, looking to capitalise on Swindon’s shortened warm-up. Early chances from Soar, Springer-Hughes, and Krakauskas were all turned away by Clarke-Leach in goal, while the visitors took four minutes to register their first shot on the Dynamos’ net. At 5:12, Invicta drew the first penalty of the night when Bronnimann was called for a face-off violation, resulting in a two-minute minor. The Dynamos easily killed off the penalty while creating a few dangerous counterattacks, with Connolly coming close to scoring.
Following the penalty, Invicta continued to pressure, with Laming and Connolly each threatening again, but at the other end, Swindon struck the post with Windebank off-guard. At 10:26, another penalty was assessed to the Mos, this time O’Neil was called for slashing, yet similar to before, Swindon failed to capitalise, and Invicta even managed a couple of shorthand breakaway opportunities. Once the penalty expired, the Dynamos returned to full strength. As the first period continued, Invicta remained the more dangerous team, with both Soar and Springer-Hughes generating solid chances that were saved by Swindon’s netminder. However, with just 1:02 remaining in the period, Swindon took the lead when Turner scored, assisted by Lawday and Warren, leaving the Dynamos trailing at the end of the first period.
Period 2
The Mos began the second period eager to equalise, and they achieved that at 20:22 when Connolly scored, with Bronnimann providing the assist. Following the goal, Colvin came close to giving the home side the lead, while an error from Windebank almost allowed Swindon to capitalise, but the Wildcats squandered their opportunity, keeping the score level. At 23:23, the Dynamos were assessed another penalty, with Soar sitting out for two minutes due to tripping. However, the Mos easily killed off the ensuing power play, allowing Swindon no significant scoring chances. The momentum shifted at 26:56 when the Dynamos took the lead with a well-executed finish from Burnett, assisted by Soar. Soon after, the Wildcats took their first penalty of the night when Sagan was penalised for tripping. During the resulting power play, the team maintained possession but only managed a few half-chances, with Scott and Bronnimann unable to capitalise. Swindon successfully killed the penalty. At 30:12, Burnett found himself in the penalty box for roughing, and the Wildcats threatened with a shot that hit the post. Nonetheless, the home side looked dangerous on the counter, particularly with Connolly leading the charge. The penalty was killed off the penalty, but just seven seconds later, O’Neil was penalised for interference at 32:19. Swindon couldn’t capitalise once again, as the Dynamos effectively neutralised their power play and as soon as they returned to full strength, they struck again at 35:12 when Bronnimann converted a rebound, assisted by Connolly and Thune, to extend their lead to two goals. Invicta had another chance shortly after when Soar found himself clear in front, but the Swindon keeper made yet another impressive save to keep the puck out. The remainder of the period saw Invicta control much of the play, though they were unable to create any clear scoring opportunities before the buzzer sounded.
Period 3
The third period began with Swindon eager to claw their way back into the game, while the Dynamos aimed to extend their lead. They did just that at 41:14 when Soar found himself alone in front of the net and fired a shot past the keeper, with assists from Connolly and Thune. The Mos maintained their pressure on the Swindon defence, dominating play for several minutes. However, the Wildcats’ goalkeeper and defence held firm against the sustained onslaught. At 46:22, Stone was penalised for tripping, granting the Mos a power play opportunity. Despite their possession, the Wildcats effectively restricted the team to long-range shots, successfully killing off the penalty. As the game entered its final ten minutes, the Dynamos continued to dominate, firing multiple shots at the Wildcats’ net. The closest they came to scoring was when Soar hit the post. At 54:30, the Dynamos found themselves short-handed when Harris received a two-minute penalty for tripping. During the resulting power play, the home side defended well with Thune nearly scoring a shorthanded goal on an impressive solo rush and they effectively killed off the penalty with little trouble. Shortly after the penalty expired, Invicta extended their lead to 5-1 at 56:56 when Colvin finished off a play in front of the net, assisted by Springer-Hughes and Soar, putting the game further out of reach for the Wildcats. The final flourish came at 59:38 when Krakauskas delivered a smart finish, assisted by Pywell, sealing the game at 6-1 home win.
The Dynamos pulled away in the final stretch, but the hardworking and well-drilled Wildcats team notably frustrated them, particularly during the first period. As the game progressed, Swindon seemed to tire in the third period, which the home team dominated. Thanks to some remarkable goaltending from the Wildcats’ keeper, the scoreline could have been even more one sided.
Clarke-Leach earned the Man of the Match honours for Swindon with an impressive performance, racking up 55 saves from 61 shots. For the Dynamos, Connolly stood out, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists, while also displaying great effort, particularly on the penalty kill.
Written by Jon Akers
