Oxford City Stars are one win away from a league and cup double after a capacity crowd saw them come from behind to leapfrog English National League South Division 2 leaders Slough Jets.
The 4-3 home win puts Darren Elliott’s side, who won the league cup at Oxford Ice Rink a week earlier, top with just this Sunday’s trip to Basingstoke Buffalo remaining.
An attendance of 690 saw both sides serve early penalties as the game took time to settle.
Nick Oliver opened the scoring in the seventh minute, firing high into the net after good work from Josh Oliver.
Falling behind stung Slough, who had struggled to find a rhythm, into action.
With six minutes left in the period, JJ Pitchley blasted home from 40 feet to level the scores.
Joe Edwards tries his luck with a shot saved by Slough netminder Daniel Milton
But Stars were still able to end the frame in front, as Elliott and James Pentecost combined to set up Alan Green, who made it 2-1.
Slough levelled again through James Buckingham, making the most of the hosts briefly having two men in the sin bin.
The visitors went ahead for the first time early in the final period as Joshua Condren netted to leave Stars with an uphill battle.
But a powerplay gave Stars a way back into the game, which Green exploited to level again.
The scorer was controversially hit with a ten-minute penalty for misconduct in the celebrations, but within 31 seconds Joe Oliver fired home from the blue line.
Some excellent defending ensured it was the winner, putting Stars within reach of the double.
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