The Oilers were also outstanding in the base game, where they had secured gold a few rounds before the end. Against Storhamar, they need no more than the first four games to prove that they are the best Norwegian team.

The eighth title means that the Oilers now equal Forward as the second most successful club in Norway in the context of NM. Only Vlerenga has more with his 26 wins. Forward took seven titles under the Old Town name.

The Oilers won seven times from 2010 to 2017. In 2011, Sparta won NC. The Oilers had previously passed Ringerike and Sparta on their way to the final.

Big cut on face

The fourth win against Storhamar was secured with goals from Dan Kissel, Steven Whitney, Gregory Mauldin, André Strandborg and Jarrett Burton. The game was a draw, and both teams created chances, but the Oilers were sharper in front of goal.

Eskild Bakke Olsen and Erik de La Rose scored for the hosts.

Storhamar’s Jacob Lundell Noer sustained a serious facial injury when he hit team mate Jan Berjcak in the second half. He bled profusely after that and had to walk around the dressing room.

He returned to the ice in the third period, and TV pictures showed long cuts on Noer’s nose and cheeks. He still couldn’t prevent Storhamar’s loss.

Turn into victory

Bakke Olsen sent the hosts ahead early in the first half but then it was all about the visitors from Stavanger.

Kissel equalized almost ten minutes later when he came alone with Storhamar goalkeeper Evan Buitenhuis. Early in the second half, Whitney was safe when he got the puck right in front of goal. Ludvig Hoff provided a good pass to Whitney.

With 18 seconds remaining of the period, Mauldin got the puck in front of goal and took a second before he finished with a powerful ankle shot that went past Buitenhuis and into the net.

Press

So, the pressure is on Storhamar who must score at least three goals to have any hope for the next game in the last draw. Storhamar made it to the final after beating Vålerenga and Stjernen.

– We have 20 minutes to come back, so we’ll give it our all and see what happens. We have to bring out the killer instinct, said Josh Nicholls of Storhamar before the final period.

Knowing that goals had to be scored, the Oilers also came out on top in the third half. Just two minutes into play, Strandborg increase the advantage from a sharp angle. With seven minutes remaining, Burton scored. De La Rose dropped just over a minute from the end.

With that, the Oilers can cheer for the new NM title. The National Championships have not been played since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Just then, Frisk Asker fled triumphantly.

Before Storhamar won, previously the title was now back in Stavanger after five years away.