Game one of the two game series in Auckland was a barn-burner ending in a 3-3 tie.� The teams battled hard in an even first period, but the Admirals managed to break through nine minutes in when Jeff Bonazzo streaked in off the wing and managed to put one past Stampede goaltender Matt Swirtz on the power play.� The teams went into the dressing room with the surprising Admirals up 1-0.

The second period saw the momentum swing to the Stampede, as they took advantage of an Admirals team that came out a bit flat at the start of the second period.� The Stampede put three goals past Admirals goaltender Mike Parsons in the first five minutes of the period to take what seemed to be a commanding lead.� Less than a minute into the period Brett Speirs slotted home the Stampede's first off a nice pass from behind the net by Simon Glass.� Then Braden Lee added another after driving around a defenseman and slipping it past Parsons.� Simon Glass then completed the five minute scoring spree by rifling it into the top corner of the net on a break.

Up 3-1, it looked like the Stampede had taken control of the game.� However, the Admirals showed great character and determination, coming back within one goal halfway through the period when Alex Luggen blasted an incredible rocket of a shot right under the crossbar.� The second period ended 3-2 for the Stampede, and a big third period beckoned.

The final period did not disappoint, as both teams battled hard.� It was the Admirals that were rewarded when Bonazzo scored a great goal after an incredible pass from Steifel put him in on a breakaway.� The Stampede put a lot of pressure on during the last ten minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net and the Admirals held on for a hard-fought tie.

Game two started much the same, but ended very differently.� The first period was a tightly contested affair, and it was only at the very end of the period with ten seconds left that the Stampede was able to break through and beat Admirals goaltender Greg Davis on the power play.�

It didn't take long for the Admirals to even the score, when Jeff Bonazzo scored to make it 1-1.� Unfortunately for the Admirals, history repeated itself and from there the Stampede scored three quick goals in less than a minute to go up 4-1.� The pain then continued for the Admirals, as rather than mounting a comeback they couldn't stop the Stampede in the second period.� The Stampede finished the second period up 7-1.� An incredible four goals in a row for Brett Speirs, plus one from Joe Bjorkman and one from his brother Brett put the game virtually out of reach.

The Stampede finished the game off with another two goals in the third period against replacement goaltender Mike Parsons - another for Speirs and for Brett Bjorkman.

Both teams have big games coming up, with the Stampede facing Canterbury in two weeks to decide who has home ice advantage in the finals, and the Admirals hosting the Botany Swarm in two weeks for the final Auckland battle of the season.

Game 1

Goals
Admirals - Jeff Bonazzo (2), Alex Luggen (1)
Stampede - Brett Speirs (1), Braden Lee (1), Simon Glass (1)
Assists
Admirals - Alex Luggen (1), Braedyn Durbin (1), Jeremy Chai (1)
Stampede - Braden Lee (1), Simon Glass (1)
Saves
Admirals - Mike Parsons (42)
Stampede - Matt Swirtz (14)
Shots
Admirals 17 - Stampede 45
�

Game 2

Goals
Admirals - Jeff Bonazzo (1)
Stampede - Brett Speirs (5), Brett Bjorkman (2), Joe Bjorkman (1)
Assists
Admirals - Travis McMaster (1)
Stampede - Simon Glass (3), Joe Bjorkman (2), Simon Wilson (1), Cles Lambridis (1), Ryan O'Keefe (1), Braden Lee (1), Hayden Argyle (1),
Saves
Admirals - Greg Davis (22), Mike Parsons (13)
Stampede - Stephen Reid (14)
Shots
Admirals 15 - Stampede 44