The reigning New Zealand Ice Hockey League champs will face their old foes, Phoenix Thunder, at the Queenstown Ice Arena tomorrow and Saturday nights in a new semifinal format.
As Stampede coach Cam Frear explains, when the buzzer sounds at the end of tomorrow’s game, it’s essentially half-time.
The winner of the semis will be determined by which team scores the most goals over two games — if it’s all tied up on Saturday night, they’ll go into overtime.
While Stampede had a bit of a mare against Thunder at home during the final round almost a fortnight ago, losing their first game 7-5 before a huge 6-3 comeback in the second, Frear says his charges are confident.
"The biggest thing for us is that we know where we need to improve.
"We’ve been here before — we’ve been to finals hockey a lot and we have to lean on that experience ... we know what we’re up for.
"[But] we’re going to have to bring our A-game to make it to the finals, for sure."
It’s often said you learn a lot more from losses, and that was certainly the case in the first game of the last round for Stampede.
Fear admits there was a "tough conversation" in the changing rooms afterwards.
"I felt like [that] game slipped through our fingers a little bit.
"It was a good conversation, because it prompted a lot of chat within the team.
"We were all saying the same stuff, it’s just concentration lapses and decision-making ... we know when we’re making good decisions and playing our style of hockey, we can win any game we play."
Staying out of the penalty box will also be helpful, he notes.
Frear’s still not sure if Stampede stalwart Colin McIntosh — this week named NZIHL team MVP — will be in action this weekend, having returned to Canada following the death of his mum.
"Ultimately, we’ll prepare for him potentially not to be here, but if he is able to come, you can’t think of a better person to insert and give you a bit of a morale boost, but also a skill boost, as well."
Stampede will also again be boosted by the return of Mike McRae and Adam Soffer — the latter’s been based in Christchurch for the past couple of years, working as one of the project managers on the One New Zealand Stadium, but has played half the season for Stampede.
And while there may be a few nerves on the sidelines, Frear says there’s nothing but anticipation within the team.
"Playoff hockey at home is super-exciting ... I just wish we could fast-forward to Friday now."
- SkyCity Stampede v Phoenix Thunder, Queenstown Ice Arena, Friday and Saturday, puck drop 7pm — livestream via NZIHL’s YouTube channel
