- Too good to meet each other in the quarter-finals

Rivers: The stage is set for a big showdown already in the quarter-finals between Vålerenga and Storhamar. Both Vålerenga coach Espen “Shampo” Knutsen (left) and Storhamar captain Patrick Thoresen (right) are looking forward to it. Photo: NTB

Two of the best Norwegian hockey players of all time are looking forward to more barking together at Jordal on Sunday.

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– It’s very special, but it’s a little fun until then. Two years without playoffs, and then making them into the quarter-finals… then they just jumped right in. It’s a lot of fun, Vålerenga coach Espen “Shampo” Knutsen told VG before meeting arch-rival Storhamar already in the NM quarter-finals. This is actually the first time they have met in the context of the play-off in eight years.

From a historical perspective, settlements between these two teams are among the largest in Norwegian ice hockey. Vålerenga and Storhamar have met in eight finals and eight semi-finals in the NC Finals over the past 30 years.

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Dahlstrom about the quarter-finals:

Ole Eskild Dahlstrøm has played with Furuset, Storhamar and Lillehammer – and is now a television expert. This is how the quarter-finals are held this year:

Vålerenga-Storhamar: It will be very smooth. It will be difficult. Whoever has the power, I think he will win it. I think it smells like “Match Seven” – a decisive match at Jordal. Then we see who has the hockey gods with him.
Stavanger Oilers – Ringrick: Stavanger has met Ringerike five times this year and won all matches. There will be no surprises. I’m very impressed with what Ringerike has achieved this year, but beating Stavanger in seven settlements, they won’t work.
Sternen – Lillehammer: The star can beat anyone because he has an arsenal of offensive players. Then the question is whether they can take it out. But I gave Lillehammer a fair chance to beat Sternen. It might be the surprise you get in the quarter-finals.
Sparta – Frisk Asker: I think Sparta takes Frisk. They’ve been playing great hockey this year. They have basic games and stables to win. They also have a goalkeeper that I think will be crucial.

– I grew up with this derby, so it will be very special, says Storhamar captain Patrick Thorsen, and therefore the encounter with the Oslo rival is called a “derby”.

– I think that both sides know the level of ignition that comes in these settlements. We also know this throughout the game series. When we meet Vålerenga, there is something extra. Without saying anything ugly about the other teams, the matches between Vålerenga and Storhamar are the biggest compromise, no matter how they are at the table.

Stronger Than a Train: There are few who are stronger on ice than Patrick Thorsen. Pictured here at a duel with former Vålerenga player Tallak Lyngset in September 2017. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB

Over the past 30 years, Vålerenga and Storhamar together have won the qualifiers 17 times – Vålerenga ten wins and Storhamar seven. Their encounter as early as the quarter-finals happened only once in this period (2012).

– There are two very good teams to meet each other in the quarter-finals. Two teams have had a lot of injuries all season, says Shampoo.

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Vallenga vs Storhammar in the Finals of North Carolina in the last 30 years:

2014: Vålerenga won the semi-finals.

2012: Valringa won in the quarter-finals.

2010: Vålerenga won the semi-finals.

2008: Storhamar won the semi-finals.

2007: Valringa won the final.

2006: Vålerenga won the semi-finals.

2004: Storhamar won the final.

2003: Valringa won the final.

2002: Storhamar won the semi-finals.

2000: Storhamar won the final.

1999: Valringa won the final.

1998: Valringa won the final.

1997: Storhamar won the final.

1996: Storhamar won the final.

1995: Storhamar won the semi-finals.

1993: Vålerenga won the semi-finals.

1992: Vålerenga won the semi-finals.

** 17 encounters – Vålerenga won 10 of them.

Long experience: Espen “Shampoo” Knutsen has a long experience of making big settlements against Stourhammar. Pictured here when he played for Vålerenga against Storhamar at Jordal Amfi in December 2003. Photo: Cornelius Pope/TT

– Obviously getting into the new Jordal is great, and then I hope Vålerenga can get his fans in too, so it’s not just yellow and blue. So I hope people can get off their sofas and fill the two halls, says Captain Storhamar Thoresen, who had peaked at Salavat Yulaev and SKA St. in the Russian League.

There was a lot of hate settlement and a lot of nonsense between the clubs. It has been accumulated over many years. Two greats in Norwegian hockey, Vålerenga coach says, bark at each other, have a solid past in the NHL and Especially in Columbus Blue Jackets.

Note! Vålerenga-Storhamar starts on Sunday at 17.30. You can watch it on TV 2 playing.