Storhamar – Stavanger Oilers

Storhamar – Stavanger Oilers – Ice Hockey – EHL
Match start: Thursday 19 March at 19.00
Storhamar to win (1.80)
Stake: 4/10 units

Three justifications for the game proposal

• Storhamar are very strong at home, and the playoff games at Hamar are often played at a high pace, driven by an enthusiastic home crowd. This makes the arena a difficult away ground for opponents.
• Storhamar has had a slight advantage in terms of results in the meetings against the Oilers in the regular season, which indicates that they have found a playing style that works well against the Stavanger team.
• Storhamar has played in several NM finals in a row and has developed a strong playoff culture. That experience could be decisive in close matches.

NM Semifinal 1: Storhamar vs Oilers

The Norwegian hockey playoffs enter their most intense phase when Storhamar and Stavanger Oilers meet again in a semifinal series in the NM. Both clubs have nine NM gold medals, and the rivalry has developed into one of the most significant in modern Norwegian hockey. For many, it feels like a classic even before the puck is dropped. For the past ten years, the teams have dominated Norwegian ice hockey, and the matchup in Hamar is also a repeat of last year's final, a final Storhamar ultimately won. They do the same in the first semifinal this year, and I'm predicting a home win here.

A modern playoff classic

The matches between Storhamar and Oilers have often decided where the King's Cup ends up. The teams have met in several finals and semi-finals over the past decade, and the matches have rarely been one-sided. Storhamar comes to this year's semi-finals with a clear ambition: Its seventh straight NM final.

That says a lot about the continuity at Hamar. Under Petter Thoresen's leadership, Storhamar has been a constant factor in the playoffs, and the team has also won two of the last championships.

For the Stavanger Oilers, this year's semi-final is just as much about revenge. The team from Rogalin lost the final to Storhamar last season and have been clear that their goal is to bounce back in this year's playoffs.

Head-to-head matches this season

Looking at the 2025/26 regular season, a picture emerges of two teams that know each other well and often play even matches. The teams met several times during the season, and several of the matches were decided by small margins, including after overtime and penalty kicks.

The scoreline also shows how close the rivalry is:

• October: Oilers won 2-1 at home
• October: Storhamar won 3–2 after overtime
• November: Storhamar won after penalty shootout
• January: Oilers won (1-3) at Hamar
• January: Storhamar won 4–2 in Stavanger

This means that Storhamar emerged victorious from the majority of meetings this season, but at the same time that the Oilers have shown that they can beat the Hamar team when the tempo gets high and the games open up.

Form heading into the semi-finals

The Oilers reach the semi-finals after beating Narvik 4–1 in the quarter-final series. In the decisive match in Stavanger, the team won comfortably 4–1 and secured advancement to the semi-finals. This gives the Rogalians a positive start to the series, especially because the team showed increasing form throughout the quarter-finals.

Storhamar, on the other hand, has had a more stable season. The team won the regular season and has been solid both offensively and defensively throughout the winter. In the quarterfinals, they beat Lillehammer 4-0 in games and advanced to the semifinals.

The difference between the teams may lie precisely here:

• Storhamar: stability, structure and experience
• Oilers: momentum and offensive energy

In playoff hockey, both are dangerous combinations.

The importance of CC Amphi

The semi-final series is played as a best of seven games, and it starts in Hamar because Storhamar was the highest ranked team after the regular season. This gives the yellow jerseys home field advantage in a possible game seven, and it could play an important role in game one.

CC Amfi is traditionally a difficult place to come as an away team in the playoffs. The crowd at Hamar often creates an intense atmosphere, and the home team is used to using the energy from the stands to set the pace in the games. For Storhamar, it could be crucial to exploit this advantage from the start of the series. As of writing, over 3,500 tickets have been sold.

It's not just about the crowd, but also about the rhythm of the game. At home, the Hamar team can control the match better, use long substitutions and put pressure on the Oilers' defense.

What can decide?

Several factors stand out ahead of the first semi-final match.

Special Teams
Matches between teams are often decided by numbers. Discipline can be crucial.

The tempo of the game
Storhamar thrives on structured hockey with control in the midzone. The Oilers would like to play more directly and utilize the transition game.

Goaltending
duel Goaltending can also be crucial. In playoff hockey, it is often the goalies who decide even games, and both teams have players in that position who can close the cage when it matters.

Conclusion

The history between the teams suggests a long and intense semifinal series. The Oilers come in with confidence after the quarterfinals against Narvik, but Storhamar has both the routine and home field advantage on their side in the semifinal series opener.

In a game where the margins are likely to be small, many points point to the home team getting the first point in the semifinal series. Storhamar has been solid at home throughout the season, and if the team gets control of the pace from the start, it could be difficult for the Oilers to catch up again.

Therefore, everything is in place for Storhamar to open the semi-finals with a victory in CC Amfi.

See statistics between the teams here