December 9th 2018
Ringerike Panthers vs Storhamar 2-3 FINAL SO
(1-0, 0-0, 1-2, 0-0, 0-1)
Storhamar are struggling blindly these days, and the first period in Hønefoss was another sad display from the Yellows. The team simply cannot produce enough scoring chances in offence, and the few that come up are being wasted. At the other end our opponents, no matter who they are, are racking up opportunities. At the moment the Yellows are unrecognizable from earlier in the season.
The Panthers were the better team in the first period in Hønefoss and could take a well deserved lead into the first break. A mix-up in Storhamar’s D-zone enabled Marius Hansen to score unmarked from close range in the 11th minute. Before the goal the home team had a breakaway all alone with Jonas Strand in net to get the go-ahead goal, but luckily for Storhamar Strand said no. At the other end Johan Kallio had an easy time without being challenged more than a couple of times. In general the Ringerike chances were more dangerous, so the score was closer to a double lead by them than a tying Storhamar goal during the first twenty.
The Yellows continued in their misery in the middle act. Even though the run of play was a litte bit better as Storhamar were concerned, the players couldn’t produce scoring chances except for a couple. Both Patrick Thoresen and Robin Dahlstrøm were fed on point blank shots from the crease, but Kallio stood tall to save them. Jonas Strand also had to break some sweat, but in general it was another scrappy period far off the expected quality.
Our boys were a notch up in the third and managed to turn things around. A couple of minutes before the half way point Patrick Thoresen tipped in an Aaron Irving shot to tie the game, and six minutes later Martin Rønnild sent Storhamar one goal up when he dug it in through traffic. In stead of feeding off the momentum, Storhamar let the hosts back in it. It felt unnecessary. First Strand had to save an all alone breakaway with his blocker before Marius Hansen tied it with a huge top corner wrister. The goal came after a huge blunder in Storhamar’s D which sent the hosts in a 2 on 1 rush. Hansen chose to shoot in stead of passing to his team mate, a choice which was awarded with a goal.
In overtime Storhamar had most of the run of play and Kallio had to make a few saves to keep his team in the game. Strand wasn’t challenged.
In the shootout both teams managed two goals of five before the sudden death penalties came into play. Martin Rønnild became the hero of the night by scoring the game winner for Storhamar as he beat Kallio top shelf.