Oxford City Stars again found higher-division opposition too strong in the NIHL Cup as they were thumped 11-2 at home by Invicta Dynamos.

Having been beaten 6-3 by Bracknell Hornets in their cup opener, Stars were on the receiving end again from a Division 1 outfit.

Oxford, from Division 2, fell behind after four minutes when Joseph Bliss scored from the bottom of the circle, and Invicta doubled their lead in similar fashion with a strike by Justin Noble.

The visitors made it 3-0 through Anthony Lennon, who was then penalised for slashing.

But despite Stars having a powerplay, Peter Vasianen scored on the breakaway for Dynamos.

Arran Strawson made it 5-0 early in the second period on the delayed penalty, after Jonathan Bayliss was punished for high sticking.

Stars pulled one back when Darren Elliott set up Josh Oliver to score.

Dyanmos hit back with three quick goals from Daniel Fudger, Callum Best and Noble, who struck again to complete his hat-trick as Stars ended the period 9-1 down.

Michael Raff scored his first goal in senior ice hockey for Stars in the third period.

But Grant Baxter and Noble, with his fourth, added to Invicta’s tally before the final buzzer.