Canterbury's Red Devils running hot on ice | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

The Canterbury Red Devils get the big test of their progress in ice hockey when they meet the champion Southern Stampede in a doubleheader at the Alpine Ice Centre this weekend.

The Red Devils made a great start to the national league when they beat Southern 9-2 in Dunedin in their opening match two weeks ago only the second time the Otago stars have ever been beaten.

Although Southern won the second match the next day 4-3, there's a feeling Canterbury boosted by some overseas players have made a big step forward this season.

Matches against Southern on home ice at 4.30pm on Saturday and 10am Sunday will show whether that is true.

Southern have dominated the previous two championships ahead of Auckland-based Botany Swarm and West Auckland Admirals, and Canterbury.

The Devils have talented overseas players in playmaker Janos Kaszala, who has moved to Christchurch from Hungary, and Swedes Jesper Danielsson and goalie Andreas Ericsson. Danielsson is the league's leading scorer.

Young local stars Hayden Argyle and Gareth Livingstone have returned full of confidence after helping the Ice Blacks to the gold medal in the world divisional championships in Ireland, and there is more local talent coming through with players like Paris Heyd, who scored twice against the Stampede.

Devils coach Dmitry Gunchenko was cautious in his praise after the Dunedin results.

The first game was obviously very good with lots of good goals and some good team play, he said.

"But in the second defensively we were poor, letting their forwards skate in and giving them too many options," he said.

"Also we need to improve our breakouts and cut down those low option long passes."

This weekend gives the Red Devils the opportunity to claim South Island bragging rights for the season and prove whether they are genuine title contenders.