It is almost do or die time for the Dunedin Thunder.
Last year's runner-up has managed just one win from its first six games - making this weekend's doubleheader against the Canterbury Red Devils ''huge''.
Coach Janos Kaszala said he did not want to make excuses for his team's poor start to the season, but felt injuries had played a part.
The Thunder lost Ice Blacks forward Connor Harrison five minutes into the season to a dislocated shoulder, the same injury that ended defender Benedict Roth's season when playing the Stampede in Queenstown last weekend.
Import goalie Jakub Pyrochta has missed the past few games, but is expected to return to the side this weekend.
However, second-stringer Toby Schuck is set to miss the next two to six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Barrett Wilson and Jonas Barakauskas are the other goalies on the roster.
The Thunder split its only two home games against the Botany Swarm to start the season last month, before losing both away doubleheaders to the West Auckland Admirals and the table-topping Southern Stampede.
Last weekend's first game against the Stampede was particularly ugly as the Thunder was thumped 12-2 by its Southern rival.
It then lost 5-2 in the second game, meaning the Thunder has been outscored 43-23 and sits dead last in the standings with 10 matches to play.
''Obviously the team is not really clicking at the moment,'' Kaszala said.
''We have got new imports and a lot of new guys. We're definitely getting better. Especially the last game against the Stampede, we showed we have got a lot of connection in the team.''
Leaking so many goals was a concern, and Kaszala said the team had been working on its defensive zone system and winning one-on-one battles at training during the week.
The Red Devils, winners of the national league the past three years, are second on the table with four wins from six games.
Kaszala is looking forward to playing the team that beat the Thunder in the finals series each of the past two seasons.
''They are pretty strong,'' he said.
''Obviously they have lost a couple of key players as well. They have some new imports. I think it's going to be tough, but it's definitely doable.
''This is basically our last chance this weekend. If we are able to get a couple of wins, we have a good chance to make the finals. This is huge for us.''
With the puck dropping in tonight's game at 6.10pm, it will clash with the Highlanders-Hurricanes Super rugby final in Wellington.
Team officials tried to move the game forward but the Dunedin Ice Stadium was booked out.
Thunder v Red Devils
Dunedin Ice Stadium
Today: 6.10pm
Tomorrow: 4.10pm
