Club Friendly· Season 2026
Stjernen beat Valerenga 3-2 in overtime in a Club Friendly pre-season match at Jordal Amfi on 13 August 2026.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Stjernen struck first in the opening period. N. Jessesen opened the scoring at 4:07 of the first period, assisted by A. Heier and M. Olsen, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Valerenga levelled in the second period. P. Westerholm found the net at 13:07, with H. Larsson and M. Maattanen picking up the assists, and the sides went into the second intermission tied 1-1.
The third period saw both teams trade goals. M. Olsen restored Stjernen's lead on the power-play at 8:07 of the third, assisted by Jessesen and L. Rosdahl. K. A. Olimb responded for Valerenga at 11:07, again from Larsson and Maattanen, making it 2-2.
Neither side could find a winner in regulation, forcing overtime. Kristian Jakobsson netted the game-winner on a power-play at 3:07 of OT to seal a 3-2 road victory for Stjernen.
The turning point
Valerenga had momentum after Olimb's equaliser with under nine minutes left in regulation, but a penalty late in the third period carried into overtime and gave Stjernen the man advantage they needed. Jakobsson capitalised from open ice, and Stjernen never gave Valerenga a chance to reply.
Key performers
- Kristian Jakobsson (Stjernen): Scored the overtime winner on the power-play — the decisive moment of the game.
- M. Olsen (Stjernen): A goal and an assist, including a power-play strike in the third period.
- H. Larsson (Valerenga): Two primary assists, both setting up Valerenga's goals.
- N. Jessesen (Stjernen): Opened the scoring and assisted Olsen's third-period goal.
Player of the match: Kristian Jakobsson.
By the numbers — interpreted
Both teams were playing their first pre-season friendly of the 2026–27 campaign, so rust was expected. The scoring pattern — one goal in each of the first three periods plus overtime — reflects the evenness of the contest. Stjernen's two power-play goals (Olsen in P3, Jakobsson in OT) were the difference; Valerenga did not convert with the man advantage. The H2H record continues to favour Valerenga (37 wins from 50 meetings), but Stjernen have now won two of the last three encounters.
What it means
This was a pre-season friendly with no standings implications. Both Norwegian Eliteserien (EHL) sides used the fixture as a fitness and sharpness test ahead of the 2026–27 league season. Stjernen's next pre-season fixture is against Ringerike on 27 August. Valerenga continue their pre-season schedule with further friendlies before the EHL campaign begins.
Verdict
A typical pre-season opener — scrappy in stretches, slightly disjointed, but competitive throughout. Stjernen's special teams made the difference. Far more significant for fitness data than form indicators.
Match Events
M. Olsen
M. Maattanen
L. Rosdahl
M. Maattanen
Power-play
Valerenga and Stjernen have met 50 times — Valerenga won 37, Stjernen won 13, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2017. Valerenga leads the head-to-head with 37 victories from 50 meetings. A combined 301 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 6.02 per match (186 for the home side, 115 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 42 matches (84%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 48 games (96%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Valerenga are currently unbeaten in the last 11 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 8–3 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 15 Aug 2026