The Southern Stampede's prospects have taken a knock with back-to-back losses to the Botany Swarm in Queenstown.
The defending champion dispatched the Stampede 4-1 on Friday and returned the following day to record an impressive 7-4 win. The result has helped the Auckland-based franchise consolidate its place at the top of the table while the Stampede drops to third place in the five-team competition.
"They've got maybe 11 Ice Blacks and are really starting to hit their straps. And I guess you would say we didn't play to our potential," Stampede coach Stephen Reid told the Otago Daily Times.
"But they are beatable; you've just got to take your opportunities against them."
The Stampede made a good start to the season with five wins in its first eight games, including away wins against the Swarm and Canterbury Red Devils.
It is still well-placed to make the final, but the double setback means the Stampede' match against the Red Devils in Queenstown in two weeks will be crucial for both sides.
The Red Devils beat the Dunedin Thunder 8-4 in Christchurch on Saturday to move into second place.
For the Stampede, import Tommy Zizian played well.
He was involved in a heavy fall on Friday but played through the pain on Saturday. The Stampede has a bye next week so the classy forward should be back to full fitness.
"We'll have to a reassess our season," Reid said.
"But there are still six games left and plenty of points on offer."
The Thunder, which was scheduled to play the Red Devils last night, was in fourth place with two wins from nine games and, realistically,is out of contention.
