If it wins against the Canterbury Red Devils in Christchurch this Saturday and Sunday, the Queenstown side has earned itself a home final for the first time in the league's seven-year history.
The southern boys have made the finals four times since the NZIHL first began in 2005. They were competition winners for the inaugural season and in 2006, but they have not yet had a home final in Queenstown.
Coach Steve Reid said the thought of a home final in three weeks was inspiring his team and the 2012 line-up was likely to do the job.
"I think we're a complete team this year and we're playing really good hockey.
"There is no reason we won't be in that final."
He said a home final would be instrumental to the Stampede's chances of going all the way to winning its third NZIHL title.
"Our home crowd is second to none."
The Stampede beat the Auckland Admirals in Auckland last Saturday and Sunday night 5-3 and 6-4 respectively.
Reid said the team showed maturity in Sunday night's win after the early setback of having key players Matt Schneider and Michael Sommer penalised in the first 10 minutes of the match.
"They were tough penalty calls and hard to swallow, but the boys pulled through. The guys could easily have lost it after that, but they dug deep," he said.
"It was a really good weekend and Avondale [West Auckland] is not an easy place to come and play."
Although the two matches were tight and the Admirals gave the Stampede a run for its money, Reid felt his side was in control and was "the dominant team" the whole way through.
Forwards Schneider, Brett Speirs and captain Simon Glass were standout players, he said.
The wins meant the Admirals were taken out of contention for the top-two spot and Dunedin Thunder and the Stampede were left to fill the final spot against the already confirmed Red Devils.
The Thunder finished its round-robin matches and the Stampede only has to win one of the two matches.
Reid said the Canterbury side was in top form at the right end of the season, but was beatable.
The Stampede proved this the last time the two sides met in July.
"We've come a long way since then."
The team will also play for the Toa Kauhanga Riri Tio trophy.
The trophy was introduced this year and is the ice-hockey equivalent of rugby's Ranfurly Shield for provincial rivalry.
It will be the first time this season the Stampede has been able to contend for the trophy, because rules mean holders need only have it up for contention when they play at home.
Defender Quinn Drake will miss this weekend's clash after he was knocked out on Saturday night during a "nasty collision" behind the goal.
He was concussed, but will be fit to play if the Stampede makes the September 9 final.
