NZIHL Grand Final Preview and Recap

A KIWI DEFYING THE ODDS AND PLAYING ICE HOCKEY.

A Review of New Zealand Ice Hockey League 2025 Play Offs

Ice hockey in New Zealand has continued to grow in excitement and competitiveness, and this year’s New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) Play Offs have been no exception. With thrilling matchups and decisive victories, teams have demonstrated outstanding skill and sportsmanship as they vie for the coveted championship title.

The stage is set for the highly anticipated Final between Botany Swarm and Southern Stampede. Fans can look forward to two upcoming matches:

·         16 August, 06:15 GMT — Botany Swarm vs Southern Stampede

·         17 August, 05:45 GMT— Botany Swarm vs Southern Stampede

These fixtures promise intense action as both teams have shown remarkable form throughout the semi-finals.

Watch Live on NZIHL YouTube channel.

In the semi-final leg, Southern Stampede delivered a commanding 7–3 victory over Dunedin Thunder, showcasing the offensive prowess that has defined their season. The match opened with a tightly contested first period, as Eaden struck early for Thunder at 05:40 with assists from Audas and Lewis , only for Harrison of Stampede to equalise at 14:52 courtesy of Devlin.

The second period saw the game break open. Orr restored Thunder’s lead on a power-play goal just 54 seconds in, assisted by Eaden and Beckstead , but Stampede responded swiftly. Ross brought the teams level at 03:08 with support from McIntosh. Moments later, Macharg pushed Stampede ahead at 05:00, assisted by Devlin, and Ross extended the lead with a power-play goal at 15:14, set up by McCullum and Ross.

Stampede’s dominance continued into the third period. McIntosh scored three successive goals, completing a remarkable hat-trick and sealing the win. Frear provided the assist for the 5th and 6th goals (06:08 and 08:55), while additional assists came from Ross, Devlin , and Macharg. on the final goal at 14:56. Dunedin Thunder struggled to keep pace, with the Stampede’s relentless attack proving decisive.

The semi-final clash between Southern Stampede and Dunedin Thunder was decided over two legs, and the second matchup on 2 August 2025 saw Stampede confirm their dominance with a commanding 9–3 victory, sealing their place in the Final. Building on a 7–3 advantage from the first leg, Stampede entered the second fixture with confidence and an aggregate lead that soon grew insurmountable.

The first period set the tone, as Ross opened the scoring for Stampede just over a minute in, assisted by Frear. Thunder responded through Hurring, levelling the contest at 04:49, with support from Shroyer, but Stampede quickly retook the lead at 09:09 courtesy of McIntosh, capitalising on a power-play with assists from McCullum and Ross.

The action intensified in the second period. Stephen drew Thunder even at 00:25, assisted by Beckstead, but Stampede accelerated ahead with McIntosh leading the charge. He restored Stampede’s lead at 09:11 with help from Ross and Amston , followed by a clinical finish from McCullum at 13:20 for a two-goal cushion. Frear then stretched the advantage further at 15:13, assisted by McIntosh and Ross, before McIntosh struck again for a shorthanded goal at 18:49. Thunder managed a late response as Stephen notched a power-play goal at 19:26, supported by Lewis and Flight, but Stampede’s offensive momentum was relentless.

In the third period, Southern Stampede continued to press their advantage. Soffer netted the seventh goal at 02:05, set up by Challis and Burns , before Ross added another at 16:20 from McCullum. The scoring was capped by Devlin at 17:01, assisted by Soffer and Amston , bringing Stampede’s tally to nine.

With a comprehensive aggregate score of 16–6 over both legs, Southern Stampede decisively outmatched Dunedin Thunder and advanced to the NZIHL Final.

This resounding victory underlines Southern Stampede’s form heading into the NZIHL Final, setting up an exciting showdown.

In the other semi-final, Botany Swarm showcased their own dominance with a 4–0 first-leg victory over the West Auckland Admirals on 9 August 2025. The Swarm came out firing, striking twice on the power play within the opening five minutes—Pakozdi opened the scoring at 03:19, assisted by Cole and Carroll , while Jonsson doubled the lead at 04:02 with help from Attwell and Fontaine. The Swarm continued to dictate the pace in the second period, as Kozak added a pair of goals—including a power-play tally at 18:04, set up by Simon, to complete the scoring and leave the Admirals with a steep hill to climb. The final frame saw strong defensive efforts from Botany, preserving the shutout and putting Swarm firmly in control ahead of the second leg.

The second leg between Botany Swarm and West Auckland Admirals unfolded on 10 August 2025, offering a dramatic contest that stretched into overtime. With Botany carrying a four-goal cushion from the opening leg, the Admirals launched a determined offensive, overturning the deficit in regulation and forcing the tie into extra time. The game began with Admirals taking control in the first period—McLeish struck first at 09:56, assisted by Regan and Quinn , followed by Regan own effort at 15:25 to move ahead 2–0.

Botany responded in the second period with Carroll E. scoring on a power play at 07:08, narrowing the gap. Hayward Jones quickly restored the Admirals’ two-goal lead at 07:16, supported by Sevenier and Regan. Mawson S. added another power-play goal at 19:37, assisted by Sevenier and Daigle , putting the Admirals up 4–1 heading into the third.

The tempo remained relentless in the final frame. Daigle pushed the tally to 5–1 for the Admirals at 10:32, set up by Quinn and Hart. Botany, however, refused to fold, Cole netted a crucial goal at 12:40, followed closely by Sevenier sixth for the Admirals at 14:35, assisted by Henry and Regan. With the game on a knife’s edge and the aggregate score locked at 6–6, overtime beckoned.

In the added period, Botany Swarm found the breakthrough. Pakozdi capitalised at 02:48, with Carroll on the assist, sealing a dramatic 3–6 result for the Admirals in the second leg. However, with Swarm’s dominant 4–0 victory in the opening fixture, the aggregate score tipped just in Botany’s favour: 7–6. This narrow escape propelled Botany Swarm into the NZIHL Final, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated clash against Southern Stampede.

As the Botany Swarm and Southern Stampede prepare to face each other in the NZIHL Final, ice hockey enthusiasts across New Zealand and beyond are eagerly awaiting what is sure to be an electrifying conclusion to the season. With both teams displaying outstanding talent and determination, the upcoming matches are set to deliver high-calibre hockey and unforgettable moments for fans.

Stay tuned for updates and in-depth coverage of the NZIHL Grand Final as the best in New Zealand ice hockey battle for glory.

Be sure to tune in to NZIHL YouTube Channel to catch all the action, as it happens, LIVE.