Now the real stuff starts for the Dunedin Thunder.
The side made an impressive start to its National Ice Hockey League campaign two weeks ago.
It poured in 14 goals across two games against the newly formed Auckland Mako.
But those games did not count for points, the Mako being a development team.
This weekend’s do.
The Thunder will travel to Christchurch to face the Canterbury Red Devils, both today and tomorrow.
Thunder coach Jeff Avery said the side was "raring to go" and it was ready to take a step up.
"The Mako games were good to give everyone a skate-around and it was kind of a test for them to get comfortable, get the butterflies out.
"Now it’s another notch up — they realise it’s another level they have to achieve and be ready for."
The high-scoring hit-out against the Mako had been pleasing. Notably, Paris Heyd scored four goals, while also adding four assists to show his value to the team.
Although it was not so much the goals as the time on the puck that pleased Avery.
"The goals will always come.
"You have to shoot the puck. The puck will go in the net — goalies can’t stop all of them.
"Especially to really get our veteran guys going — it’s just a confidence thing.
"So scoring all of those goals, it’s great and everything, but more just so people can get some puck time.
"The guys got some puck time and started gelling together lines. It served a purpose."
The Red Devils are coming off a tough weekend in Queenstown.
They were handed two big losses by the perennial favourite Stampede.
While Avery said the Thunder would adjust to what the hosts did, the side’s focus would be predominantly on itself.
Both games begin at 4.30pm.
