Stampede up for big weekend in Auckland

THIS weekend’s games in Auckland are big ones for the Stampede — but they are potentially even bigger ones for the Dunedin Thunder.

The Stampede can secure itself top spot and a guaranteed spot in the finals series — including two home games — with two wins over the Botany Swarm.

It is tied on top of the table with the West Auckland Admirals on 33 points, although if it stayed that way the Stampede has done enough to secure first.

The Stampede’s worstcase scenario is finishing second and having to go to the playoff match to make the final.

However, that could potentially be more catastrophic from a Thunder perspective.

If the Swarm can claim two wins, it will push the Thunder — which has a bye — out of the third and final playoff spot in the final round of the national ice hockey league regular season.

That will not be of too much concern to the Stampede, although the prospect of controlling its own destiny was a bigger prospect for the Queenstown side.

‘‘It’s always exciting to control your own fate. That’s what we set out in the beginning of the season to work for,’’ coach Adam Blanchette said.

‘‘We had a bit of a slower start compared to usual years, but we worked hard and ground it out.

‘‘Lucky enough and exciting enough we’re in the position to win two games and lock up the final, and first place in the league.

‘‘So [there is] definitely a lot of excitement and the boys are really ready to go.’’

The top spot would be huge for the Stampede. Blanchette said the home advantage made a big difference, plus the side wanted to give its supporters an extra game.

It was coming off two tough wins against the Thunder in Dunedin and while it had been shorthanded, its depth had ensured it was not impacted too badly.

‘‘Every single guy’s just as valuable as the next,’’ Blanchette said.

‘‘We miss one guy and another guy slots in, so it was great having those . . . sort of playoffatmosphere games before the real playoffs start.’’