OSLO – Vålerenga Oslo is the Norwegian champion after winning the final series against Sparta Sarpsborg. Sparta won the regular season six points ahead of Vålerenga.

Both teams had few problems to qualify for the final with Sparta just losing one game in two series, and Vålerenga three. Sparta was the favourite, but Vålerenga had other ideas.

Vålerenga surprised took the 3-0 lead in the series with 5-2, 2-0 and 2-1 wins. The next two games went to Sarpsborg, which made its home crowd happy in two overtime wins, despite being outshot in both games.

Vålerenga finally capatalized in Game 6 at home in front of 4,908 fans. Canadian goalkeeper Patrick DesRochers, who had moved to Norway after two years in Germany, had a shutout while home-grown winger Kenneth Larsen scored the only goal of the game at 33:01.

Among the champions was also former NHL All-Star player Espen Knutsen. The 37-year-old became the head coach of his native club soon after he ended his playing career in 2005.

For Vålerenga it was the 26th title and the first since winning three consecutive championships from 2005-2007, making it the most successful sport team in Norway.