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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
The puck stops here for Stampede
SkyCity Stampede goaltender Aston Brookes stops Phoenix Thunder's Cole Beckstead's penalty shot earlier this year. PHOTO: JAMES ALLAN PHOTOGRAPHY The top two inches may well be the difference between Queenstown's SkyCity Stampede lifting the Birgel Cup for the 10th time this weekend, or coming home second-best. Stampede will take on Botany Swarm in Auckland in the best-of-three 2025 New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) finals, this Saturday, Sunday and, if required, Monday night. Veteran Stampede goalie Aston Brookes, 32, the league's top goaltender this season with 512 shots against and a 91.02% save percentage, says while it's disappointing not to be hosting the final in Queenstown, "it's really only ourselves to blame". "We didn't deserve it with the way we played through the regular season." Brookes puts their "turbulent" year down to a season-long mental battle. Aside from games against cellar-dweller Canterbury Red Devils, Stampede's only back-to-back wins came against Phoenix Thunder in their semi. "We've struggled to really commit ourselves 100% to games, and then we'll lose and go, 'oh, shivers, we really can't be doing that', and then turn it round the next night," he says. "In my eyes, it's just been in our heads ... we've been known for never giving up and just battling all game, every game, and we have definitely not played like that all year." Though if the Stampede performance during their home semis is anything to go by, they may be clicking at the perfect time. Brookes is acutely aware of the battle ahead, though. Swarm, he says, were "shafted" by the West Auckland Admirals in last year's semi and are desperate for the win — they last lifted the Birgel in 2011, when they beat Stampede in Auckland. "They want it ... but they know we'll be coming for them. "I think if we can turn it on like we did for the semis, we'll have quite a good shot." While the games will be livestreamed, a watch party's being hosted at Queenstown Ice Arena, this Saturday, complete with goal lights, a snow machine, spot prizes and score prediction competition. That's free to attend — night skate tickets cost $20 per person, including skates.
Otago Daily Times
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Stampede amped for Thunder showdown
Queenstown's SkyCity Stampede ice hockey team are acutely aware of the mountain they have to climb this weekend. The reigning New Zealand Ice Hockey League champs will face their old foes, Phoenix Thunder, at the Queenstown Ice Arena tomorrow and Saturday nights in a new semifinal format. As Stampede coach Cam Frear explains, when the buzzer sounds at the end of tomorrow's game, it's essentially half-time. The winner of the semis will be determined by which team scores the most goals over two games — if it's all tied up on Saturday night, they'll go into overtime. While Stampede had a bit of a mare against Thunder at home during the final round almost a fortnight ago, losing their first game 7-5 before a huge 6-3 comeback in the second, Frear says his charges are confident. "The biggest thing for us is that we know where we need to improve. "We've been here before — we've been to finals hockey a lot and we have to lean on that experience ... we know what we're up for. "[But] we're going to have to bring our A-game to make it to the finals, for sure." It's often said you learn a lot more from losses, and that was certainly the case in the first game of the last round for Stampede. Fear admits there was a "tough conversation" in the changing rooms afterwards. "I felt like [that] game slipped through our fingers a little bit. "It was a good conversation, because it prompted a lot of chat within the team. "We were all saying the same stuff, it's just concentration lapses and decision-making ... we know when we're making good decisions and playing our style of hockey, we can win any game we play." Staying out of the penalty box will also be helpful, he notes. Frear's still not sure if Stampede stalwart Colin McIntosh — this week named NZIHL team MVP — will be in action this weekend, having returned to Canada following the death of his mum. "Ultimately, we'll prepare for him potentially not to be here, but if he is able to come, you can't think of a better person to insert and give you a bit of a morale boost, but also a skill boost, as well." Stampede will also again be boosted by the return of Mike McRae and Adam Soffer — the latter's been based in Christchurch for the past couple of years, working as one of the project managers on the One New Zealand Stadium, but has played half the season for Stampede. And while there may be a few nerves on the sidelines, Frear says there's nothing but anticipation within the team. "Playoff hockey at home is super-exciting ... I just wish we could fast-forward to Friday now." SkyCity Stampede v Phoenix Thunder, Queenstown Ice Arena, Friday and Saturday, puck drop 7pm — livestream via NZIHL's YouTube channel
