IT WAS a near-perfect weekend for the Chelmsford Chieftains as back-to-back wins and other favourable results closed the gap at the top of National Ice Hockey League South.
A thumping 7-1 home win on Sunday against Dynamo Invicta coupled with a 3-2 away win at leaders Wightlink Raiders the previous day leaves Gary Clarke's side just four points adrift with a game in hand.
Second-placed Romford Raiders also failed to win either of their games this weekend.
"Getting a win on the island is always quite satisfying," he said.
"I felt that as long as we played smart that we could keep their goals down and we just needed to make sure we improved our offence and we did.
"We've played two top teams and we got two very good wins. The game on Sunday was very close going into the third period and our fitness levels told and they seemed crumble."
However the main talking point of Saturday's win will be the off-ice actions opposition. After a decision went against their team one member of the bench threw a water bottle at the Chieftains' bench. Enroute the bottle struck an official and the coach was ejected.
The situation deteriorated into a melee of players and officials around the penalty box resulting in Kevin Parrish, the opposition coach, getting a match penalty for failing to control the bench. He will face a one-game suspension, which could increase upon review by the EIHA.
Clarke said: "It's not what we want to see but these things happen. I've seen a lot worse.
"I think going in to the fifth period they thought they were still in the game and it all seemed to fall apart for them.
"There as a bit of frustration and a few antics that went on that we'd prefer not to see."
Against Wightlink the goals came from Clarke, Danny Hammond and James Ayling.
A third-period goal from the home side made for a nervy ending but the Chieftains battled on to send the large travelling fanbase home happy.
Onto Sunday and another intense game between the Chieftains and the Invicta Dynamos seemed in the offing.
However, both sides started slowly and it was 0-0 at the first interval.
Into the second Michael Ranby netted first for the Chieftains before a wonderful individual effort from Cameron Bartlett, who fired into the top corner after dinking in and out of a red-faced Dynamos defence.
Andy Smith and Julius Sinkovic squared up in front of Ben Clements' net and were both sent off for two minutes for roughing.
Callum Fowler was fortunate to score with a lucky bounce at the back post with a minute to go.
The third was one-way traffic as the home side ran in five unanswered goals from Sinkovic (2), Ayling (2) and Darren Brown for 7-1 win.
Back in Essex, the Warriors traded goals with the Basingstoke Buffalos throughout the game to leave the scoreline at 5-5 with five minutes to play. It took two late goals from Gary Brown and Lee Hounslow to secure a 7-5 win for the Warriors.
Next Sunday afternoon the Cardiff NIHL Devils come to town and on Saturday the Chieftains travel to Streatham.
