The game, which has been billed as the battle between the local players and the imports, will serve both as a warm-up for the national league, which begins in June, and as a fundraiser.
With the league lifting the number of imports each team is allowed to field from five to seven, the costs of competing in the tournament have risen.
Thunder manager and former goaltender Aaron Bryant hopes the game will capture the public's imagination and bring in a few extra funds.
"Essentially, it is a way to see the new imports and for the Kiwis to stake their claims on the remaining roster spots," he said.
"Almost all the players on the Kiwi team have represented New Zealand at some level or the other.
"It should be a good match because people have plenty to play for."
The puck drops at 4.30pm.
Ice Blacks goaltender Rick Parry and national team-mates Paris Heyd, Jerreau Hohaia and Regan Wilson are expected to star for the local side.
Canadian Hassan Saeed is returning for another season with the Thunder and will take on more of a senior role.
Countryman Andre Robichaud is expected to be a force in front of the goal, and Frenchmen Damien Torfou plays in the top league in France and is a solid defenceman.
Both sides will also play under-16 lines to give some of the promising youngsters in the region an opportunity to use their skills out on the ice.
The Thunder and the Southern Stampede will contest the annual pre-season southern derby match in Gore on May 19, and the following weekend the Thunder will host the Canterbury Red Devils.
The Thunder opens its campaign on June 9-10 with back-to-back games against the West Auckland Admirals in Dunedin.
The Stampede plays the following weekend against the Botany Swarm in Auckland.
