Plenty of pressure on Stampede in doordie game
IT is do or die for the Stampede tonight.
The Queenstown side will do battle against the West Auckland Admirals in the resort tonight, fighting to set a New Zealand league record by lifting the Birgel Cup for the fourth year in a row.
Stampede lost the first game of the bestofthree finals series in Auck land last Saturday, going down 54 in overtime.
Coach Adam Blanchette said there was now ‘‘a lot of extra pressure’’ on the Stampede and expectations were at an alltime high heading into this weekend.
Last Saturday, Stampede took an early lead when captain Matt Schneider netted a goal in the first half of the first period, followed by a goal from Max Macharg, another from Schneider and a penalty goal from Stephen Johston.
The Stampede led 42 at the end of the second period but the Admirals scored again in the last 20 minutes and equalised three minutes before the final buzzer, forcing the game into overtime. The Auckland side won after an extratime golden goal.
‘‘It was a bit disappointing,’’ Blanchette said.
‘‘They just kept coming. Our eyes are still on the same goal. We want to learn from it.’’
He is expecting the home crowd to ‘‘rally and get behind the boys’’ tonight as they battle to keep the dream alive.
‘‘We know the formula we have — it has worked all year. We want to get the win for the fans.’’
Puck drop at the Queenstown Ice Arena is 7pm tonight, and tomorrow if needed.