They head north to play the Botany Swarm in the best-of-three New Zealand Ice Hockey League finals.
The Swarm clinched their spot in the final with an aggregate
win over the West Auckland Admirals in the semifinals last weekend.
They won the opening game 4-0 but trailed the Admirals 6-2 in the second game.
With the teams’ aggregate total level, they played overtime and the Swarm nailed the winner.
The Stampede had an easier road. They overpowered the Dunedin Thunder 7-3 and 9-3 the previous weekend, and are finally showing the sort of form that has carried them to four consecutive titles.
"We’ve had a bit of an up-and-down season with our form this year, and I feel like we’re kind of peaking at the right time," Frear said.
"We’ve kind of set ourselves high standards throughout the years. And I feel like this year has been one of those years that we haven’t quite met our standards.
"But it’s nice to start putting things together at the last minute."
Star player Colin McIntosh banged in a hat-trick in both games. The Swarm will be wary of McIntosh and desperately plotting a plan to keep the game-winner quiet.
They will have to work hard to defend Stampede centre Nolan Ross as well.
The Swarm will lean on forwards Evan Carroll, Ivan Dalmatau and Balint Pakozdi, while Ice Fernz goalie Grace Harrison is a classy shot-stopper.
Jackson Fontaine is returning from injury and he has been a key performer for the Swarm.
The teams look even on paper, but it could come down to who holds their discipline longer.
"That’s one thing we’ve kind of struggled with throughout the year," Frear said.
"We’ve kind of conceded a few games. It’s just keeping our discipline, staying out of the box and playing at even strength."
The Stampede and the Swarm shared the spoils during the regular season.
The Swarm posted a 6-2 win in Queenstown in the opening game of the season. But the home side rallied the following day and recorded a 4-1 win.
The two-game series in Auckland in July was also split. The Stampede won game one 4-2, but the Swarm snatched a 4-3 win the next day.
The finals begin in Auckland tonight.
