The Thunder won just two matches in its first two years in the league. But this season the expansion team has come of age with four wins from eight games, and midway through the competition it remains in the hunt for a place in September's final.
"You sound surprised," coach James van Leeuwen responded when asked about the turnaround.
"I wouldn't say the season is going better than I expected. It was kind of what I was hoping we'd achieve. But there is still a long way to go and we have to stay consistent."
The Thunder's best performance came in its last match - an impressive 4-1 win against the top-of-the-table Botany Swarm in Auckland. But that was almost three weeks ago and van Leeuwen is hopeful the Thunder can pick up where it left off.
"We really started to fire as a team in that match and in every match we have been getting stronger. So it is a worry having three weeks off.
"But I've been really impressed with how hard the boys have pushed in training this week and they are fitter, faster and stronger than they have been all season.
"On Tuesday night there was a really good vibe, with guys making passes stick to stick. They were really snappy and getting their rhythm back."
The Thunder beat the Admirals 5-2 and 4-3 (overtime) in Avondale last month and will be hoping to be as dominant on its home ice. French import Quentin Pepy has been a valuable addition, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists. Former Canterbury Red Devils fo ard Paris Heyd has also scored eight goals.
Although the Admirals are on the bottom of the competition table with 10 points, they are not that far off the pace in a very even league.
Forwards Jouni Kivela and Aleksi Rantalainen have scored 20 goals between them and remain the biggest threat.
The Thunder is in fifth place with 11 points but has played two games fewer than the rest of the field. With a maximum of six points available this weekend, the Thunder is still well-positioned to make the final.
"If we win four then it will come down to points and how the other teams do," van Leeuwen said. "But if we win six of our last eight then that should see us reach the final."
