Queenstown's Stampede have had its hopes of a fourth cup title in a row crushed after a 2-1 defeat at home last night.
Stampede coach Adam Blanchette was hoping for a big comeback in the second leg of the finals, and fans rallied to support the side after a 5-4 away loss against West Auckland Admirals last weekend.
The second game of the best-of-three finals series at Queenstown Ice Arena began slowly with an early shot on goal from Stampede saved by Admirals goalkeeper Csaba Kercso-Magos jun.
After no goals in the first period of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League match, the home team came back on to the ice fighting.
Stampede's Adam Soffer prompted a huge reaction from home fans when he made the first goal of the match halfway through the second period, assisted by Tom Carson-Pratt and Mike McRae.
Admirals responded with an equaliser just before the end of the second.
The visitors returned to the ice with vigour in the final period, netting their second goal within two minutes to secure the win.
Stampede was playing to win the Birgel Cup for the sixth time.
The side was on a 10-game winning streak before losing to Admirals in the first match of the finals series.
The win gave the Admirals their first Birgel Cup.
