Storhamar 5:2 Valerenga. The hosts threw everything at the league leaders on Saturday and won, bringing a sudden shift to a table where both sides sat with zero points from four games each. It was not a game built on possession or patience — Storhamar struck early and let Valerenga chase.
The visitors had won all four of their previous fixtures, including an 8:0 victory over Stjernen just two days before. They came into this match expecting to add to their tally, but Storhamar had other plans. By then, the momentum was already turning.
Valerenga started brightly enough, but Storhamar took control when it mattered. The home side scored first and never looked back, while the visitors could only manage two replies. It was a result we had called for — 67 per cent confidence on a home win — and the numbers backed it up.
Storhamar's recent form had been mixed: losses to Nidaros and Stavanger Oilers, but also wins against Frisk Asker and a heavy victory over Ringerike. Valerenga, meanwhile, had been flawless. Yet on the night, the visitors' perfection ran out of steam.
The result moves Storhamar into the top half of the standings, while Valerenga remain top but with their unbeaten run finally broken. Both teams still sit on zero points in the overall table — the season has barely begun, and the points will come later.
Storhamar have one foot in the next phase of their campaign, while Valerenga must regroup quickly. The old head settled them down in the second period, and that made the difference.
