Coach Matt Hladun is hoping the Dunedin Thunder's success this season is a sign of things to come.
The team wrapped up its season with an awards night last week, as it celebrated nine wins from 16 games.
That was a big improvement on the two last year and was reflected in the season statistics.
It scored 73 goals, compared to last year's 44, as well as conceding just 60, down from 94 last year. The side also increased its number of Ice Blacks from one to five.
That included Thunder most valuable player, Kevin Jagau, as well as Daniel Lee, Paris Heyd, Dylan Devlin and Tristan Darling.
It was a result that left Hladun happy and he said it was a good foundation to build on for next year.
''I think there's definitely a lot of positive strides,'' he said.
''Obviously, the ultimate goal is to make the finals, but given where we were in past years and some of the new guys we had, I thought it was a very successful season and the guys did too.
''We did a lot of good things and the important thing was we got quite a bit better throughout the season and we were competing and beating the top teams.
''So lots of good positive things and it sounds like lots of good players want to come back and will be back for next season.''
He said major improvements came in the players' hockey IQ.
While early on they had skill and talent, things such as positioning and defensive decisions had meant it conceded some sloppy goals.
However, as the season went on, the team tightened up that area and began to create more opportunities for itself as well.
Hladun said the early-season 4-0 win over the Stampede had been ''a big deal for the guys'' and acted as a turning point.
He also thought the last two weekends, in which the Thunder claimed two wins each over the West Auckland Admirals and Canterbury Red Devils, had been highlights.
Jagau had been voted team MVP by the players, but it was a decision Hladun supported.
He had a strong work ethic that fed into the rest of the team and was a player who always played hard. He also came up with several big plays in key moments.
The most improved player award went to Noah Leahy, although Hladun said it was a tough decision as everyone was a candidate.
However, he felt Leahy had done well to become a reliable player towards the end of the season after struggling to find his groove at the start, having come back from a serious injury.
The Queenstown-based Stampede has the chance to clinch its third consecutive title on Friday night against the West Auckland Admirals.
Having won last week's opening finals game 5-3, the Stampede needs just one more win to wrap up the best of three series.
If it loses it will play a decider on Saturday night.
