It does not always work, but you can go far with two good periods.
STAR – OILERS 3 -5
Petter Thoresen know. Players know it. The supporters know that. Even journalists know it.
4-0 in matches is strong. It is not possible to do better. Oilers are in the semifinals. That’s all that matters.
One could of course questioned by discipline, or worried about the shape the development of the players in the first row. One could intimidated by the game hideout, shook his head by the occasionally blunt backs or not understood how the coaching staff think when they judge that all the seven foreigners who played Thursday night is better than Rudolph Balcers.
But what’s the point? Oilers are in the semifinals. They have done their job and won four straight games against Star. It has been nice, but not much more. Series champions have yet to impress through an entire game. But relax. It is coming.
The Way Forward
When Kristian Forsberg returned after a quick medical check in the locker room and arranged 5-3 into the empty cage towards the end of the fourth quarterfinal match Thursday evening, everyone could with Oilers sympathy and Guttural R smile. Now players can enjoy some free while awaiting semifinal opponent and coaches enjoy having come across the first hurdle without damage.
Oilers have not had the habit to convince the quarterfinals. Little people in the stands, little involvement around fighting and a result that is largely a foregone conclusion. Last year acknowledged Christian Dahl Andersen players struggled to get up at that level in the quarterfinal series. The motivation was somehow not there. Quartz final was more of a transport leg against semifinal and final. The time it ended with gold.
Good to decide early
Now it was admittedly not much resembling gold in the first period Thursday night. The star shot just eight shots at goal, but led 3-1 after 20 minutes played. Petter Thoresen switched goalies in the first period intermission and remade the back pairs. It seemed to awaken the players. When so kerning set towards the end of the third period after massive Oilers pressure, it was deserved. Seconds later came the 4-3.
– We did a weak first term, but there and in we were clearly the best. We thundered over them and won absolutely deserved, summarizes Tommy Kristiansen – which has been part of the best Oilers series in quarterfinal series. Along with Peter Lorentzen and Kristian Forsberg did Kristiansen another good match in Fredrikstad Thursday night.
– It is always positive to determine series in the playoffs as early as possible. Now we train well into the semifinals while we wait for opponent. I hope all the other quarterfinals go to seven games, then it’s the same to me who we meet, Kristiansen says.
– It is natural that we turn a little in performance. Meanwhile there is certainly no good that it happens, but we’ll figure it out and fix things in the end. So be it that we did not start quite as we want. It is not so much lovelier than turning it on end. 4-0 in matches was what we set ourselves the goal before the quarterfinals – and we managed, says Dennis Sveum.
Storhamar further
Lillehammer was no match for Storhamar. Guests crushed neighboring rival 5-0 in Kristin Hall for a hattrick of Jacob Berglund. Three of Storhamars goal came during mjøsderbyets last five minutes.
Vålerenga stood with two losses in both meetings away with Fresh Asker in the quarterfinals. Therefore the Oslo team under pressure to deliver at home at Jordal and secure 2-2 after four games. Espen “Shampoo” Knutsen men dispatched 7-3 victory.
François Fortier marked with two goals and two assists in the målrike Derby. It was 3-2 before the last period, but three quick VIF goal finally gave a clear victory.
Lørenskog offset their playoff series against Sparta with 2-1 win Thursday. Mats Frøshaug was matchvinner 2:02 minutes into the extension. Mats Trygg gave the hosts the lead early, but Sparta backfired by Fredrik Jacobsen nearly four minutes into the middle period.
HOW WAS THE GAME:
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