Stavanger Oilers with three in a row:

After a goalless first period, it was Kalle Ekelund who sent Vålerenga in the lead 10 minutes into the second period. Stavanger Oilers responded instantly when Sander Hurrød equalized after Tommy Kristiansen did the man’s job in advance.

While Vålerenga failed to exploit the advantage with five against three at the end of the first period, Stavanger Oilers was effective in the last. After Wade Murphy was sent off, Stavanger used the opportunity.

Then Rudolf Balcers proved to be a savior – again.

The Latvian showed NHL qualities and reacted quickly when the puck was suddenly free in front of VIF goalkeeper Steffen Søberg and lobbed in 2-1 in an elegant way. The 23-year-old has made good use of himself after he came on loan from the Ottawa Senators.

– Driving on

The NHL club has loaned out six players to European clubs, and the Oilers will be happy for as long as they can. Balcers will be until the start of the NHL in January.

Seconds before the end, Daniel Kissel put in 3-1 after Vålerenga had taken out the goalkeeper in search of an equalizer.

– It’s been a while since I scored, so it was great to get it in the “box”, says Balcers about the important 2-1 goal. He explains the turning operation as follows:

– There is a different feeling in the team. We back each other up and just drive on. We have played very well in the last three matches, says the Latvian to TV 2.

VIF coach Roy Johansen has only been waiting for Stavanger to start picking points.

– With so many good players, it’s just a matter of time. Stavanger was good, and there is nothing to say that they won. It is dense and smooth. We lose a couple of duels in front of goal and that is what decides the match, says Johansen.

This is how it went in the other matches tonight:

Green – Frisk Asker 1-10 (0-3, 0-3, 1-4)
Narvik – Lillehammer 5-6 (0-5, 1-0, 4-1)
Sparta – Manglerud Star 6-5 e.str. (0-2, 3-1, 2-2, 0-0, 1-0)
Storhamar – Stjernen 6-2 (1-0, 3-1, 2-1).