The Southern Stampede faces the Canterbury Red Devils in a double-header in Queenstown this weekend that will decide which team will host the New Zealand Ice Hockey League final.
The Queenstown-based team needs to win both games to get a home final against the Christchurch-based team.
Both teams have played 14 games and lost only one, but the Stampede has had draws against the Botany Swarm (4-4) and the West Auckland Admirals (3-3).
They played two games in Christchurch in July, with the Devils winning the first 3-2 and the Stampede the second 7-4.
The Devils lead the competition with 26 points and are followed by the Stampede (24), Swarm (14), Admirals (8) and Dunedin Thunder 2.
"Both teams will meet in the final but we want to set the scene for next week by winning two games to get a home final in Queenstown," Stampede manager Charlie Reid told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"We have played the Red Devils twice this year and have a win each.
"But it is always harder to win away from home," he said.
The hockey is likely to be of high quality, with the stars of the Ice Blacks' first win against Australia on Sunday playing against each other.
The Red Devils have a potent attacking force - Chris Eaden, Adam Soffer and Paris Heyd - and they will provide tough opposition for the Southern Stampede trio of Brett Spiers, Braden Lee and Simon Glass.
Eaden is the top-scorer in the league, with 30 goals and 27 assists.
Heyd, the impressive newcomer in the Ice Blacks' win against Australia, has scored 18 goals and made 26 assists.
Spiers has scored 19 goals for the Stampede and made 11 assists.
The Red Devils have a better scoring record.
They have notched up 126 goals and conceded 27, while the Stampede has scored 89 goals and conceded 30.
Canterbury's Justin Findlay is the best-performed goaltender and has saved 92.16% of the shots at his goal.
The games will be played at Queenstown Sportsworld tonight (7.15pm) and tomorrow night (7.15pm).
