But there will be no neighbourly favours today in Christchurch, as the Queenstown side is just one win away from making the national league final and wrecking the Thunder's dreams.
The Canterbury Red Devils (29 points) have secured the first final spot. The Thunder (28) is in second place, closely followed by the Stampede (26).
If the Stampede wins one game this weekend, it is into the final. Win both, and it hosts the final. Lose both, and the Thunder makes the final.
Stampede captain Simon Glass said his side was in a unique position. He concedes his old Thunder friends have had an outstanding season, but he will be more than happy to see them go.
"We have a pretty good rivalry with Dunedin, because we were a franchise, but it's just the way it is. Whatever happens, Dunedin can't be disappointed with their season and either way, they'll be happy."
The Thunder led the competition at the mid-point of the season, and the battling Stampede faced the prospect of its first wooden spoon since the league started in 2005.
The tables have turned, and the Queenstown side is eyeing a home final on September 8 if it can secure two wins this weekend.
The Stampede has made the finals four times since the introduction of the NZIHL. It won the title in 2005 and 2006, but has not yet hosted a final.
"It's so important. Making the final is the most important thing and we have to do that first, but we really want to have that home final," Glass said.
"We've got the best team we've ever had. We've got more depth in our offence and the younger guys are more experienced."
The teams will also play for the Toa Kauhanga Riri Tio trophy this weekend. The trophy, introduced this year, is the ice hockey equivalent of rugby's Ranfurly Shield.
One part of the Stampede's game that has lifted during the second half of the season has been its offence, led by the "legend of doom line" of Glass, Canadian import Matt Schneider and Brett Speirs.
The three have scored six, six and 13 goals respectively, and contributed 12, two and nine assists.
The Devils have suggested Schneider's return from injury has been the major factor in the Stampede's resurgence. Glass disagrees.
"If that's the excuse they want to make, then go ahead. He's a great player and we love having someone like him in our team, but he's not the sole reason for our improved performance. We were under-achieving and we knew it, so we collaboratively got it together."
Statistics show points (goals plus assists) are evenly spread across the Stampede's front unit of Speirs (22 points), Connor Harrison (13), Glass (18), Brian Horwitz (20), Tommy Zizian (14) and Michael Weber (16).
Schneider has scored eight points since July.
The Stampede will be missing defender Quinn Drake (concussion) this weekend.
