The 2003–04 Eliteserien season ended with Storhamar Dragons claiming their fifth Norwegian title after defeating Vålerenga in double overtime in game 7. Michael Smithurst scored the game winner nearly two minutes into the second extra period in front of 7,405 spectators.[1]
Regular season
Final standings
Playoffs
After the regular season, the new standard of eight teams qualified for the playoffs. In the first round, the two highest remaining seeds were drawn against the two lowest remaining seeds; in the second round, the highest remaining seed was drawn against one of the two lowest. In each round the higher-seeded team was awarded home ice advantage, giving them a possible maximum of three home games as opposed to the lower-seeded team's possible maximum of two. Each best-of-five series followed a 1–2–1–1 format: the higher-seeded team played at home for games 2 and 3 (plus 5 if necessary), and the lower-seeded team at home for games 1 and 4 (if necessary).[2]
The final was contested between the Storhamar Dragons and Vålerenga for the second consecutive year. In 2003, the championship had been decided in four straight games when Vålerenga won 4–0 to claim their 22nd title and 18th "double". As in the previous season, the 2004 final was played as a best-of-seven series following a 1–1–1–2–1–1 format. Storhamar, as league champions, were seeded first and played at home for games 2, 4, 5 and 7.[2] They took the lead after winning the first game 2–1 in overtime, but failed to capitalize, losing their first home game 0–4. The third and fourth games were both won by the home side. Game 5 saw Vålerenga achieve an away win in overtime to lead the series 3–2, but Storhamar came back to claim another overtime victory in Oslo and force a seventh, championship deciding game at Hamar OL-Amfi. A record 7,405 spectators turned out for the first game 7 in the history of the Norwegian Championship, in which Storhamar's Michael Smithurst scored the winning goal after 21 minutes and 54 seconds of overtime.[3][4]
Bracket
Source: hockey.no
Qualifying for UPC-ligaen 2004–05
Final standings
GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTW = Overtime Wins; OTL = Overtime Losses; SOW = Shootout Wins; SOL = Shootout Losses; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; Pts = Points; Q = Qualified
Source: speaker.no
Game log
Qualifying for UPC-ligaen 2004–05 Game Log
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Round 1
26 February 2004 18:30 CET
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Hasle/Løren
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4 – 7 (1–2, 1–2, 2–3)
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Manglerud Star
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Løren Ishall, Oslo Attendance: 253
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Game reference
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Referee: Lars Olav Gaden
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10 min
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Penalties
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10 min
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31
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Shots
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30
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26 February 2004 18:30 CET
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Lillehammer
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3 – 4 (OT) (1–1, 0–1, 2–1, 0–1)
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Comet
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Kristins Hall, Lillehammer Attendance: 1,101
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Game reference
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Referee: Owe Lüthcke
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83 min
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Penalties
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18 min
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21
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Shots
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27
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Round 2
29 February 2004 17:00 CET
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Comet
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4 – 3 (SO) (1–0, 0–3, 2–0, 1–0, 2/5–1/5)
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Manglerud Star
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Halden Ishall, Halden Attendance: 833
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Game reference
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Referee: Yngvar Skau Jensen
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4 min
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Penalties
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2 min
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25
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Shots
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27
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29 February 2004 17:00 CET
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Hasle/Løren
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2 – 4 (1–2, 0–2, 1–0)
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Lillehammer
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Løren Ishall, Oslo Attendance: 223
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Game reference
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Referee: Kjetil Bøe
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44 min
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Penalties
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20 min
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26
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Shots
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26
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Round 3
4 March 2004 18:30 CET
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Comet
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7 – 2 (3–1, 2–0, 2–1)
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Hasle/Løren
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Halden Ishall, Halden Attendance: 750
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Game reference
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Referee: Egil Andre Borge
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12 min
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Penalties
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14 min
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34
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Shots
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27
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4 March 2004 18:30 CET
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Manglerud Star
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1 – 3 (0–1, 1–0, 0–2)
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Lillehammer
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Manglerudhallen, Oslo Attendance: 382
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Game reference
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Referee: Pål Idar Sørensen
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8 min
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Penalties
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6 min
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23
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Shots
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25
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Round 4
7 March 2004 17:00 CET
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Comet
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0 – 2 (0–0, 0–1, 0–1)
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Lillehammer
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Halden Ishall, Halden Attendance: 1,050
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Game reference
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Referee: Hans Petter Berg
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12 min
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Penalties
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16 min
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29
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Shots
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20
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7 March 2004 17:00 CET
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Manglerud Star
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8 – 2 (2–0, 4–2, 2–0)
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Hasle/Løren
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Manglerudhallen, Oslo Attendance: 322
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Game reference
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Referee: Per Gustav Solem
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10 min
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Penalties
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14 min
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37
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Shots
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25
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Round 5
Game reference
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Referee: Tommy Søstumoen
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2 min
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Penalties
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4 min
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42
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Shots
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25
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11 March 2004 18:30 CET
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Manglerud Star
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2 – 3 (OT) (1–1, 1–1, 0–0, 0–1)
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Comet
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Manglerudhallen, Oslo Attendance: 720
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Game reference
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Referee: Yngvar Skau Jensen
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8 min
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Penalties
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8 min
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35
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Shots
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41
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Round 6
14 March 2004 17:00 CET
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Hasle/Løren
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3 – 6 (1–1, 2–1, 0–4)
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Comet
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Løren Ishall, Oslo Attendance: 500
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Game reference
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Referee: Owe Lüthcke
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10 min
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Penalties
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12 min
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22
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Shots
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40
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Game reference
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Referee: Svein-Erik Edvartsen
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8 min
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Penalties
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4 min
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19
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Shots
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25
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References
External links