The Queenstown team plays West Auckland Admirals in Avondale in Auckland tonight — the first of three possible games.
Despite a 3-1 season win-loss advantage over its opponent, captain Matt Schneider says it is a "coin flip".
"You can’t look ahead of that first game because if we do, and we end up losing game one, then we are in quite a hole.
"It can set the tone for the rest of the series. If we win we go home with a lot less pressure. If we lose then they have no pressure coming into Queenstown."
Game two, and three if needed, will be played at Stampede’s Queenstown Ice Arena home next weekend.
The Stampede record in Queenstown is impressive —not a single loss on home turf.
Coach Adam Blanchette said the team was ready for the tonight’s challenge and confident it can retain the Birgel Cup.
"We finished on a strong note and I think that is one of the most important things you can do to give you that momentum going into the finals."
He is also realistic and pitches his side’s Auckland opponent as "a hell of a team’’.
A few Admirals players may also hold a grudge, given captain Justin Daigle’s season ended after a Stampede high stick left him with an eye injury.
It was also the first team to scupper Admirals’ home winning streak.
"They can use it as an excuse or as fuel.
"We are going to assume they are a bit upset and have a chip on their shoulder. It gives them even more of a reason to want to win."
Blanchette’s advice in the locker room will be to control emotions and stick to simple, hard hockey.
