Dunedin Thunder

🏒 NZIHL Semi-Finals Explained 🏒

The 2026 NZIHL Playoffs are here, and this year’s semi-finals are a little different. Here’s everything you need to know before puck drop.

How the Semi-Finals Work
• 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd
• Each semi-final is a two-game aggregate series.
• The higher-seeded team hosts both games.

What is an aggregate series?
Instead of simply winning one game, teams need to win the series based on the combined score across both games.

Example:
🏒 Game 1: Thunder 4–2 Admirals
🏒 Game 2: Admirals 3–2 Thunder

Overall score:
⚡ Thunder 6 – 5 Admirals

Even though each team won one game, Thunder would advance because they scored more goals across the two games.

What if Game 1 is tied?
No overtime is played in Game 1. The tie simply carries into Game 2.

What if the aggregate score is tied after both games?
If the teams are still level after 120 minutes of hockey (the full two-game series), they’ll play:
• Up to 20 minutes of sudden-death overtime
• If no one scores, it goes to a penalty shootout.

The winners of each semi-final will advance to the Best-of-3 NZIHL Grand Final Series.

💾 Save this post so you’ve got the format handy throughout the playoffs, and tag a mate who always asks, “Wait… how does aggregate scoring work?”

Playoff hockey is faster, harder and truly unparalleled. 🎟️ Get your tickets now for this Friday (7pm) & Saturday (6pm) and be part of an unforgettable event.

https://store.icehockeynz.co.nz/nzihl-playoffs-tickets-dunedin/

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Only 72 hours left until we're all screaming in the stadium ⚡️... here's our 72, calming things down.

⚡️IT'S PLAY-OFF TIME ⚡️

Buckle up, buttercup! Playoff hockey is coming to town. The Pure NZ Admirals are coming to town and we need you to fill up the stadium. Tickets are selling fast so grab yours now!

This Friday - 7 August 7pm and Saturday 8 August 6pm.

https://store.icehockeynz.co.nz/nzihl-playoffs-tickets-dunedin/

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NZIHL PLAY OFFS | Dunedin Thunder vs Pure NZ Admirals

Lock in 🏒 The week we've been waiting for is finally here. With limited tickets left, do not leave it chance. We can't guarantee door sales.

https://store.icehockeynz.co.nz/nzihl-playoffs-tickets-dunedin/

88 reasons to love hockey? how about we give you just one.

SEMI-FINAL TICKETS | Saturday is selling out faster than a Steggy slapshot ⚡️ Less than half the tickets left and seated tickets are flying out the door. Friday still has seats up for grabs, but if you intend to sit down to watch - better be quick!

Get in there: https://store.icehockeynz.co.nz/nzihl-playoffs-tickets-dunedin/

Image by James Allan Photography

HALF SOLD ⚡️ in less than 24 hours - half the tickets for next weekend have been whipped up! Don’t mess around & find out the hard way 👉🏻 go get your tickets now from NZIHL.com

📸 Andrew MacKay

PLAYOFFS | TICKET INFORMATION

🎟️ Member presale: Starts tonight and runs until 11:00am tomorrow.
🎟️ General public: On sale Thursday 30 July at 12:00pm.

Ticket link for general sales: https://store.icehockeynz.co.nz/nzihl-playoffs-tickets-dunedin/

The West Auckland Admirals are coming to town on 7&8August.

A heads-up for season ticket holders: Season tickets do not include semifinal games. All tickets are being managed by Ice Hockey New Zealand, so make sure you lock yours in before they're gone.

WE’VE GOT THE HOME SEMI-FINAL ⚡️tickets go on sale 30 July through Ice Hockey New Zealand

More information coming soon.