Invicta Dynamos’ boss Kevin Parrish has backed his team to bounce back from last Sunday’s’ 6-3 home defeat agaisnt Oxford City Stars.
Dynamos face a pair of NIHL1 South Cup games this weekend – travelling to play Wightlink Raiders on Saturday before returning to home ice to meet Streatham IHC the following day.
“It’s hard with only one game to see who is going to be gelling with who because you only have those 60 minutes rather than 120,” Parrish told Kent Sports News.
“We will find our feet and get back to it – we know how much it hurts us now and the boys will hopefully forget at practice and we can start enjoying it again.”
With the situation surrounding Ryde Arena yet to be resolved, Saturday’s game will be held at Gosport Ice Rink and Parrish says he hopes the Raiders are able to navigate their latest crisis.
“We wish them all the best as we don’t want to see another team go down – it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“We lost Cardiff at the start of the year and we don’t want to lose a team like the Raiders. We’ve had battles with them over the years and (Jeremy) Cornish has done a good job there so we don’t want to lose them.
Dynamos host Streatham on Sunday having already recorded a 5-1 road victory against the London-based team at the start of October.
While Dynamos’ main focus is the league, Parrish is keen to get back on the winning trail regardless of the competition they are playing in.
“It’s kind of hard juggling cup and league, but like we said at the start of the year it’s a game of hockey and we’ve got to win it,” said Parrish.
“We’ve got two points to pick up and that’s what we want to be doing against Streatham.
“We have to get back to winning ways to give not only the boys here a boost, but the paying fans that come and watch us too.”
Streatham will face Invicta with a familiar face in their line-up after securing the services of forward Conor Redmond.
The 21-year-old had a breakthrough season with the Dynamos last year, scoring 13 goals with 20 assists in 35 league games.
Player/Coach Nicky Chinn said: “We’re pleased Conor decided to sign with us after signalling his intention to leave Invicta.
“He’s a hard working player who plays with his head up and is eager to play more minutes, increase his skill set and keep improving.
“That’s what any coach wants from a young player and he’ll go straight into the line-up for Sunday’s game.”
Solent Devils have confirmed American ‘D’ man Mark Baroni will make his debut against Bracknell Hornets on Sunday.
Baroni’s signing is a boost to Devils’ Player/Coach Alex Murray as he looks to improve his team’s fortunes after collecting just two points so far this season.
“Mark has been with us for over a month now, and I’m delighted we’ve managed to secure his services,” said Murray.
“During the summer due to financial restraints I was unsure whether we could accommodate an import, but when Mark become available we managed to get a deal done.
“Mark is a very reliable defenseman who reads the game well and has good size. He already has a good understanding on my philosophy and the systems we play, so is ready to go for Sunday.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
NIHL1 South
Saturday
Bracknell Hornets v Oxford City Stars
London Raiders v Chelmsford Chieftains (Cup)
Wightlink Raiders v Invicta Dynamos (Cup)
Sunday
Invicta Dynamos v Streatham IHC (Cup)
MK Thunder v Wightlink Raiders
Oxford City Stars v Chelmsford Chieftains
Solent Devils v Bracknell Hornets
NIHL2 South
Saturday
Bristol Pitbulls v Swindon Wildcats NIHL (Cup)
Invicta Mustangs v Chelmsford Warriors
Slough Jets v Haringey Racers
Sunday
Basingstoke Buffalo v Wightlink Buccaneers
Haringey Racers v Peterborough Islanders
(Image permission: David Trevallion)
