The experienced 25-year-old scored two goals to help his side post a historic 3-2 win over its northern neighbour in Dunedin on Sunday.
It was Southern's first win against Canterbury in the National Hockey League and the captain was still trying to soak it in when the Otago Daily Times caught up with him.
"It was really special to me," Ashton said.
"I've been playing against Canterbury since 1995 and have never beaten them in a tournament. We've beaten them a couple of times in pre-season stuff but it was just exhilarating, really. It was an awesome feeling and you could definitely get used to it."
The Southern Men made the best possible start to the league with back-to-back victories in the opening weekend.
A comfortable 3-0 win against Central suggested this team was capable of more and it delivered with a stunning display against Canterbury.
But victory came at a price. Key midfielder Damien Watson broke his ankle in the opening match and will miss the remainder of the campaign. He will be replaced in the squad by Matt Greene.
Former Black Sticks player James Nation aggravated a hamstring injury but has been training this week and is expected to make some contribution.
Despite those setbacks, Ashton said the team was feeling good about its form.
"It is new feeling for us to go into the finals week and really have the confidence to attack every team."
The NHL moves to Auckland, where teams will play their five remaining round-robin matches in six days, with the playoffs and finals next weekend.
Southern shares top spot on the competition table with Auckland and Capital and is well-placed to make the top four.
The team is targeting Monday's match against Northland and Thursday's game against Auckland for wins. Its next two fixtures against North Harbour (today) and Capital (tomorrow) shape as tough encounters.
But the competition is wide open this year with the Black Sticks unavailable and with most squads experiencing a huge turnover in personnel.
"We've really never had as good an opportunity as we have got this year to make that top four. And I think we'd be really disappointed if we don't. It is really there for the taking."
Ashton said Northland was a niggly team which often resorted to defensive tactics. Last year it defended a 2-1 lead by falling back in large numbers and Southern is expecting a similar strategy from the Northlanders this season.
"We've got a game plan for that this year, so I definitely think we'll be able to beat Northland. And Auckland is always a fun match. We beat them last year in pool play and that was another great feeling. To beat Auckland and Canterbury in one year would be some sort of moral victory.
"Capital and North Harbour are the two to beat because they just have such depth. North Harbour still have ex-Black Sticks playing for them and guys on the fringe of the squad.
"Capital have got pretty much half their squad from last year and are just such a well-structured organisation and always have so much depth."
