There were contrasting results for the two southern sides on Saturday, with the Queenstown-based Stampede posting a big win and the Dunedin Thunder on the end of a hiding.
The Stampede continued its bright start to the National Ice Hockey League with a comprehensive 9-4 win against the West Auckland Admirals in Queenstown.
Coach Stephen Reid was particularly pleased with the performance of his third line. The likes of Gareth Lloyd and Luke Pick-ering made some real impact, and 16-year-old rookie Max Macharg scored his first goal to thunderous app-lause from his team-mates.
His goal was a key moment in the match, with the Stampede seemingly finding another gear and piling on four goals in the second period and three in the final period.
The Thunder found the going much tougher in Auckland. It was outclassed 9-3 by the defending champion, the Botany Swarm.
Coach James van Leeuwen could not put his finger on what had gone wrong and was just hoping his side could produce a better showing in the return fixture last night.
"We lacked some composure and the Swarm have a very strong team," van Leeuwen said.
"They have 12 or 13 Ice Blacks plus their imports and have played together for quite a long time. And with home ice advantage they were too strong. We're six games into the season and they are definitely starting to hit their straps but we're still finding our feet."
English import Mat Enright broke his collarbone and is out for the season, and centre Damien Watson has a knee injury and may not feature again in 2011. Canadian import JP Bertrant played despite dislocating his shoulder last weekend.
Van Leeuwen said the club may have to look at bringing someone in for Enright and Watson.
