After an eight-match winning streak, the Southern Stampede needs just one more good performance to win the New Zealand Ice Hockey League title. Olivia Caldwell identifies five reasons the Stampede can bring the trophy back to Queenstown.
SCORING
The Stampede has three of the top 10 scorers in the NZIHL. American import Brian Horwitz has led the charge with 25 points (10 goals and 15 assists). He is supported by standout forward Brett Speirs (24 points - 15 goals and nine assists) and captain Simon Glass (20 points - six goals and 14 assists). The team has gained confidence from what it refers to as the "Legion of Doom" forward line of Glass, Speirs and giant Canadian import Matt Schneider.
HOME ADVANTAGE
Although the Stampede has only won 50% of its home matches this year, the feeling in the camp right now is that playing at home means everything. Visiting teams know how loud the southern crowd gets. Seated tickets sold in 15 minutes and the rest went in 90 minutes at the rink on Tuesday night.
OLD HEADS
In ice hockey, there's a lot to be said for having seasoned players, and the Stampede has some of the most experienced players in the league. Forwards Glass, Speirs and Bert Haines have stepped up in their leadership roles during the side's eight-game winning streak. Coach Stephen Reid has now been in three finals as a player and two as a coach. He has walked away a winner in three of those matches.
SECOND SUCKS
Reid also knows how it feels to sit in second place, and after last year's disappointing end to the season, he does not want to do it again. The Stampede has made the finals four times since the introduction of the NZIHL. It won the title in 2005 and 2006.
Last year, the side came desperately close, but walked away from the Botany ice rink as runner-up. Those who were in the team last season are determined to make amends.
GOALTENDING
You never want to rely solely on your goalie, but the Stampede has a very good one in Aston Brookes, the top-ranked stopper in the competition. Brookes has a save mark of 91.09% and a goals against average of 3.16. Since he returned from injury, the team has won 10 of its 11 games. It doesn't take an ice hockey expert to appreciate the importance of the man in front of the net.
The Southern Stampede hosts the Canterbury Red Devils in the NZIHL final in Queenstown tomorrow.
