OXFORD City Stars could count themselves unlucky as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat at reigning champions Invicta Dynamos in South Division 1.

The tone of the game was set in the first few seconds when Daniel Calitri crashed into the boards following a great hit by Andrew Shurmer.

With the Canadian laying motionless on the ice, play was halted by the official.

However, Calitri recovered to break the deadlock midway through the first period.

Three minutes later, Stars fell further behind when Callum Fowler netted Dynamos’ second.

But Oxford rallied and were rewarded when Dax Hedges forced the puck over the line after Mike Whillock’s rasping shot clanged off the bar.

Two minutes into the second period, Grant Bailey clashed with Dynamos’ Corey Wat-kins, who in turn collided with Andy Cox.

Bailey received a five-minute major penalty and was ejected from the game.

Despite Invicta having a man advantage, Oxford defended impressively and midway through the period, Hedges passed to Darren Elliott who fizzed the puck past the Invicta netminder for the equaliser.

However, the pressure told on Stars and Daniel Borges whipped the winner past an unsighted Robin Lindva.

l NICK Oliver hit a hat-trick as Oxford City Stars beat Wightlink Tigers 9-8 in South Division 2 at Oxpens Road.

Jack Robinson (2), Joe Boot, Rob Angeleri-Rand, James Clark and Joe Oliver made up Stars’ tally.