Chelmsford Chieftains mounted a tremendous fight back from being 4-1 down halfway through the second period of Sunday's match at the Gillingham Bowl, but failed to capture even a point to a highly motivated Dynamos team.
The match started at a frenetic pace with the play flowing from end to end in the opening exchanges and both defences were at full stretch to keep the score goalless.
It was from a period of Chieftains' pressure that led to Dynamos' opening goal.
Pressing on the Dynamos, Chieftains were caught in possession and the excellent Damien Bloye carried the puck the length of the ice before beating Simon Smith in the visitors goal with a fierce shot at 8.53.
Chieftains were let off on a number of occasions in the next five minutes when the home forwards were guilty of wayward shooting and as often happens, Chelmsford took advantage.
A good pressure period ended with Duane Ward's quick cross ice pass being swiped in by Billy Price at 13.27.
Chieftains were level for only three minutes as Dynamos started to dominate the play.
An almost identical turnover to the first goal left Mikko Skinnari to fire the puck high past Smith to give the home team a one goal edge at the first period break.
Chieftains were forced to rearrange for the second period when defender Adam Collins retired through illness.
The change saw Chieftains struggle for a while and Dynamos took advantage with two power-play goals within two minutes.
At 24.22 Jake French was penalised for holding and a speculative backhand sailed innocently past Smith to give Dynamos a two goal buffer.
Worse was to follow for Chieftains as an indisciplined entry on the ice by Andy Hannah resulted in a bench minor penalty for having too many foreign players on the ice and when Ward was also penalised for tripping, Chieftains were two men short.
Dynamos took little time to take advantage as Smith was 'nutmegged' by Elliott Andrews to give the hosts a 4-1 lead.
Chieftains looked bereft of any cohesive passing movement as their star players looked out of sorts.
They failed to capitalise on their own power play situation at 32 minutes, but with Dynamos returning to full strength, Chieftains pulled a goal back through a Hannah slapshot at 33.55 after good work from the hard-working Billy Price.
The goal spurred Chieftains who scored again at 37.36 when Ian Cooper skated through the home defence to net a fine goal to leave just a one goal deficit.
Once again the hard work was undone when the puck was squandered in mid-ice, leaving Matt Beveridge to beat Smith at 38.46.
This topsy turvy period was brought to it's conclusion when Ward and Hannah's passing play was converted in some style by Ryan Mair at 39.34.
Although Chieftains were below their best, at 5-4 at the period end the game was still in the balance.
The third period had barely started when Skinnari was handed another gift goal at 41.26.
The goal and some fine vocal support from the travelling supporters seemed to lift Chieftains as they mounted wave after wave of attacks and at 50.19 they took advantage of a power-play situation and French's pass sent Ward away to slot the puck home and reduce the deficit to just one goal.
With time ebbing away Chieftains were encamped in the Dynamos' zone and should have levelled on more than one occasion but were guilty of squandering several gilt-edged opportunities to level things up.
In the end it was a poor refereeing call on Mair that brought relief to the home team.
Steve Harber, who was guilty of some dubious decisions throughout the match, handed out an interference penalty on Mair with just over two minutes left and Chieftains were unable to withstand the pressure and Mike Kindred beat Smith one-on-one with 42 seconds remaining.
This was a most exciting match deservedly won by Dynamos, and although Chieftains badly missed Adam Collins at the back, they could not complain about the defeat.
If they are to get back to the sort of form which took them into second place in the league, the big named players will have to start getting back on track.
New boy Blake Sorensen showed enough to suggest that he will be a good acquisition and he was one of the liveliest players on the ice.
Another plus for Chieftains was the return to form of Billy Price who deserved his man-of-the match award, while Mikko Skinnari picked up the award for Dynamos.
The scorers were: (Chieftains); Duane ward 1+2, Billy Price 1+1, Andy hannah 1+1, Ian Cooper 1+0, Ryan Mair 1+0, Jamie Randall 0+1, Jake French 0+1. (Dynamos); Mikko Skinnari 2+1, Mike Kindred 1+2, Jakko Komulainen 1+2, Damien Bloye 1+1, Elliott Andrews 1+0, Matt Beveridge 1+0, Mike Dumka 0+2.
Another tough task awaits Chieftains this Sunday (December 24), when they visit the league's smallest rink on the Isle of Wight.
They then have a week to prepare for one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the season when Romford Raiders visit Riverside Ice & Leisure on Saturday, December 30.
Sorensen a new signing
Chelmsford Chieftains have moved to replace the recently released Scott Stephenson with the signing of Canadian Blake Sorensen, and he took his place in the sides line-up at Invicta Dynamos on Sunday.
Sorensen, 26, from Midland, Ontario, is 5'10" tall, weighs 175lbs and is a fast, free scoring forward.
He played for Solihull Blaze last season where he scored 75 points from just 55 games (35+40). He has previously played for St. Norbert (NCHA), Plattsburgh State (SUNYAC) and Kitchener (MWOJHL).
Sorensen comes from a hockey playing family and both his brothers were drafted into the NHL.
A Chieftains spokesman said: '' We are delighted to have signed Blake and hope that he will enjoy playing in Chelmsford and be as productive for us as he was for Solihull.''
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