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Invicta Dynamos lose to Slough Jets and Streatham Redhawks in NIHL South Division 1

05:00, 21 November 2023

Invicta Dynamos didn’t get the rewards their efforts warranted at the weekend.

The Mos lost 6-4 to the NIHL South Division 1 leaders Slough Jets on Saturday and followed that up with a 2-1 defeat against Streatham in Gillingham.

Ruskin Springer-Hughes put the Mos infront against Slough Jets Picture: David Trevallion
Ruskin Springer-Hughes put the Mos infront against Slough Jets Picture: David Trevallion

Those defeats come after back to back losses last weekend but it was a different story this time around - having deserved little the week before - with Karl Lennon’s men unfortunate not to claim any points from two committed performances.

A big list of missing players didn’t help their cause, with Lennon appearing himself for the first time this season, but the head coach couldn’t fault his team’s efforts.

Lennon said: “We have had a bit of a tough run with injuries and unavailability, we had nine players not available over the weekend and last weekend was touched by that a little too.

“On top of that we had two players representing Great Britain in the roller hockey and of course that is a great opportunity for them and one we support, we want to make sure they get the most out of all opportunities that are presented to them.

“We were short and of course felt that way going into Saturday and Sunday but I couldn’t have asked for more from the players, the place they had put themselves in compared to the week before was completely different, it was more reflective of the group and more reflective of what we want to be as a club and that was the most important thing.

“Yes, okay we lost both games, but they were played in the right spirit and were it not for a few decisions, both by ourselves and the officials, then we might have got something out of both games but the luck doesn’t always go your way. I am sure it will be more favourable for us soon.”

Ruskin Springer-Hughes put the Mos ahead against Slough on Saturday and although the hosts got their noses infront, two goals from Tommy Huggett and one for Dan Scott put Invicta into a 4-2 lead and looking good for it.

With a 4-3 lead, the Mos took a bench penalty and then Joe Stephenson was handed a five minute penalty for a scrap. The Mos battled gallantly, firstly five on three and then five on four, but found themselves 5-4 down before returning to full strength.

Lennon said: “We had too many men on the ice, and that was compounded by a scrap that wasn’t necessary, their guy lured one of our players into a situation that he couldn’t back out of.

“Once we finished that powerplay we were three or four minutes left and the guys were knackered, they had played so well, to have only conceded two goals was pretty impressive and Slough are very strong on the powerful play themselves.

“It was incredibly frustrating because we were in a good place.”

The Mos pulled their goalie but conceded a sixth, the Jets taking a 6-4 victory.

“The result didn’t reflect the effort,” added the coach.

On Sunday, it was a home game against defending champions Streatham.

Trailing 2-1, the Mos put the pressure on in the final period, with Tom Soar going close, a goal ruled out and another Soar effort hitting the frame of the goal.

The Streatham netminder took the man-of-the-match award for a fine performance in keeping the Mos at bay.

Lennon said: “It was probably the best performance against them in our rink for quite some time, at least for the time I have been coach.

“We were 1-0 down in the first period and it was a well-worked goal on their part but I think an avoidable one from ours, then we equalised and it was disallowed, a really nice goal from a powerplay that was judged to be interfering with the goalkeeper, which I think was quite harsh.

“We scored to equalise, Ruskin (Springer-Hughes) scored from a beautiful shot from quite some distance.”

Having restored the lead, Streatham at 2-1 up were then up against it in the final period.

Lennon said: “It was one of those nights where the effort wasn’t reflected in the scoreline and I think on another night we would have got something out of that game.

“Their goalie was exceptional, he kept them in the game without question, it was frustrating, we were so close.

“I have heard that building loud many, many times and when we went into the final powerplay we had with three minutes left the building was supercharged, it was incredible, hairs on the back of your neck moment.

“It felt like it was going to be our night, we pulled the goalie again, we had a couple of chances at the end but just didn’t manage to get it over the line. I was disappointed but super proud of the effort and the application.”

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