Invicta Dynamos face an uphill task to succeed in the play-offs after being forced to forefit their opening match.

The English Ice Hockey Association scheduled the first of four play-off ties at the Gillingham Ice Bowl on a Saturday - a day the club are unable to get ice time on the rink for.

That, according to the Mos, was made clear before the play-off dates were announced and the ENIHL have refused to reschedule the Saturday, April 3 match against Bracknell. It means that Kevin Parrish's side must forefit two points to Bracknell in the opening game.

The Mos have already won the South Division 1 title and are still hoping to do the double with play-off success.

A statemant on the club's web-site read: "The Invicta Dynamos wish to make it clear that the club have made every possible effort to resolve this issue including, with the support of the Ice Bowl, offering to play the tie midweek or on Bank Holiday Monday but all alternatives have been refused.

"The management have continuously made it clear to the EIHA, both before the start of the season and again when the playoff format was agreed in January, that the club cannot secure ice time for Saturday fixtures and are deeply disappointed with the final resolution."

The Mos thus begin their play-off campaign at Oxford on Sunday, April 4 before playing Bracknell on Saturday, April 10th and finishing with their only home game of the mini series against Oxford on Sunday, April 11.

Fixtures;

Sat 3rd Apr – Invicta v Bracknell – Game Forfeit

Sun 4th Apr – Oxford v Invicta – Faceoff at 6.15pm

Sat 10th Apr – Bracknell v Invicta – Faceoff at 6.00pm

Sun 11th Apr – Invicta v Oxford – Faceoff at 5.15pm