Rungsted took on Frederikshavn in the Metal Ligaen on Tuesday evening, and the visitors took the spoils with a 4:5 victory. The hosts had hoped to consolidate their position in the table, but the visitors proved too strong in the end. It was a high-scoring affair that kept the crowd on their feet until the final whistle.
To be fair, the standings are peculiar at this stage. The hosts sit third after two games, while the visitors lead the pack with three matches played. Both sides currently register zero points, which indicates the scoring system is still being ironed out.
Rungsted had extended their unbeaten run with a 3:1 win over Odense Bulldogs on the first of September. Frederikshavn, by then, had secured a dominant 7:3 victory against SønderjyskE Ishockey just days prior. These results set high expectations for the encounter. The visitors had also beaten Rødovre Mighty Bulls 5:1 earlier in the month.
And here's the thing, the final tally suggests a game where opportunities were created but not capitalised upon. Five goals for the visitors and four for the hosts means the defence was porous on both ends. It was a match decided by fine margins rather than solid tactics.
The result leaves the visitors firmly at the summit of the league after three games. The hosts, meanwhile, remain in third place as the season gets underway. There is still a long way to go before the standings truly matter.