The Queenstown Ice Arena’s hosting the finals series of the New Zealand Women’s Ice Hockey League this Saturday and Sunday, in which the Wild will face off against Auckland Steel in the first semi-final game, at 3.30pm on Saturday.
The winner of the do-or-die match will go through to Sunday’s gold medal game; the loser will play off for a bronze medal.
Nelson says the Wild’s got a laser-focus on their semi, quipping "it’s the only thing that matters".
While the women are amping to get into it, their excitement’s understandably tempered with a few nerves, "but that’s good".
"Nervous means you care."
The finals weekend, being held here for the first time since 2018, has been a long time coming this year, given the drawn-out schedule which saw them have a six-week break in the middle of the season, before playing two rounds back-to-back, one against Auckland, with a five-day turnaround.
Nelson, 36, the second-top scorer in the league going in to this weekend, believes they’re yet to show what they can do on the ice this season, and is optimistic it’s all about to click.
While the squad has good depth, they’ve lacked the drive to the net so far, and have struggled with consistency across all three periods, she says.
But seeing the SkyCity Stampede men’s team, including Wild coach Colin McIntosh, lift the Birgel Cup on home ice last Saturday night, for the fourth consecutive time, and the ninth time since their league started, in 2005, is providing a little extra motivation for the women.
"It was amazing to see them do that," Nelson says.
"Seeing their excitement, and what you achieve through all that hard work, it’s like, it’s our turn, now; let’s do it.
"We hope we can fill the barn, and see tickets being sold ... like the hype the men had."
She notes the women are particularly grateful to their sponsors and the community who’ve provided them with the support required to play hockey at a national level.
"We couldn’t do it without [them]."
Saturday’s second semi, between Dunedin Thunder and Canterbury Inferno, will be played from 6.30pm; puck drop for the bronze medal final’s at 2.15pm on Sunday and at 5.15pm Sunday for the gold medal match.
