SkyCity Stampede’s booked a final’s spot, but there’ll be a hell of a battle to lift the Birgel.
Last weekend, Stampede beat the Canterbury Red Devils with an aggregate score of 8-2 during the two-game semi-final series in Queenstown.
While the team came out with a strengthened command of play, a secret weapon came in the return of Stampede great Matt Schneider, making his first appearance of the season after an extended period overseas.
Schneider, who put away both of Friday’s goals, says ‘‘it’s good to be back’’.
‘‘The way we rolled the line, the way we controlled the play just felt really, really similar to the previous few years where we had a lot of success.’’
Looking to the finals series, he says it’s going to be a tough match-up against the West Auckland Admirals.
‘‘I watched the games online when they played the Stampede and they … kind of neutralised our strengths.
‘‘So we’re gonna have to look to push through that and it’s always more difficult in hostile territory — Avondale’s a tough rink to play in, the crowd there’s very passionate and I’m expect ing a really good hockey game.’’
But he reckons if Stampede can replicate last Saturday’s intensity they stand a good chance of bringing the national title home.
Stampede play Admirals today, tomorrow and, result-dependent, Sunday in Auckland. Puck drop’s 4.45pm each night.
