Jack Skille (pictured in Panther colors) had a very busy evening in Norway. The Florida Panthers forward scored two shorthanded empty net goals, collected an assist, fired seven shots on goal and was called for two roughing minors in Rosenborg IHK Elite’s 5-2 upset win over first place Valerenga in Thursday action from the GET-ligaen. Skille played on a line with Kim Andre Fremming and Lou Dickenson as coach Barry Martinelli was forced to shuffle his combinations with leading scorer Ian McDonald sitting out. Skille finished the game with a +2 rating.
In the first period, Valerenga jumped out to an early lead as Jesper Hoel finished a Cato Cocozza feed for his third goal of the season. Lou Dickenson would reply with an unassisted tally for Rosenborg at the 16:40 mark. Rosenborg netminder Andreas Mundal Micka stopped 15 of 16 shots in the opening frame as Valerenga blitzed the overwhelmed visitors.
Justin Donati gave Valerenga the lead back, scoring at 6:20 of the second period with assists going to twin brother Tyler and Filip Gunnarsson. Rasmus Juell would even things up for a second time, scoring off a set up from Vegard Spets just over four minutes later. Lou Dickenson would strike again, scoring his eighth goal of the season to give Rosenborg a lead it would not relinquish. Skille and Deryk Engelland combined to set up the power play marker.
Andreas Mundal Micka shut the door in the third period, stopping all 13 shots he faced before Skille completed the shocker by scoring twice into an empty net to hand Valerenga their first regulation time loss of the season. Skille’s first goal came with 1:18 remaining and Rosenborg a man down. The second came with one second left on the clock and Rosenborg down two men. Ryan Martinelli set up Skille’s first goal and Jesper Eriksen picked up the only assist on the second.
The win gave Rosenborg IHK Elite sole possession of eighth place and the final GET-ligaen playoff spot with exactly one third of the season in the books. Rosenborg won the game despite being outshot 38-22. Valerenga’s lead over the second place Stavanger was cut to three points as the Oilers gained ground by pounding Tonsberg by a 10-2 count today. Skille now has 7 points in 6 games with Rosenborg.