Story Summary
KooKoo will have centre Marcus Davidsson back in their lineup after he missed both of last week’s Kaakon derbies, but the Kouvola club are short on the blue line as Ari Gröndahl and Aleksi Pakaslahti are absent and the team will dress just six defencemen for their home game.
Key Facts
- Marcus Davidsson is available again for KooKoo after missing both of last week’s Kaakon derbies.
- KooKoo will play their home game with six defencemen; Ari Gröndahl and Aleksi Pakaslahti are not in the lineup.
- KalPa are without defencemen Joonas Lyytinen and Mitja Jokinen.
- Rasmus Miilunpohja and Jesper Kotajärvi will play their first Liiga games of the season for KalPa; Miilunpohja is listed as the 13th forward and Kotajärvi as the seventh defenceman.
- After a 0-4 defeat, Kärpät have altered their lineup: Niklas Rubin is replaced in goal by Visa Vedenpää.
- Kärpät’s defensive pairings have been rearranged, with Aleksi Matinmikko joined by Arttu Paaso on the top pairing.
- Kärpät are missing centre Tommi Tikka and defenceman Kalle Loponen from the lineup.
- HIFK have swapped Lassi Vanhatalo and Lauri Sinivuori between the lower lines and will start Hugo Alnefelt in goal; Tim Juel is omitted and Vili Varonen is named on the bench.
- SaiPa bring back Juuso Heikkilä after a three-game absence to play on the fourth line; defender Karri Aho is out and Gustavs Grigals will start in goal.
- Ässät’s only change for their game with SaiPa is Eeli Äijälä being listed as the 13th forward.
- Kiekko-Espoo‘s sole alteration from Saturday is a change of starting goalie: Petteri Rimpinen will start in Vaasa for the side from Espoo, and Sport keep the same lineup with Masi Härkönen starting in goal as in the previous match.
IHM Discussion
The midweek Liiga selection bulletin reads like a snapshot of small but consequential availability swings. KooKoo’s restoration of Marcus Davidsson bolsters their centre depth and has prompted a tweak to the lower forward units, yet the simultaneous absences of Ari Gröndahl and Aleksi Pakaslahti reduce their defensive resources to six – a situation that increases the workload on the available blueliners and limits matchup flexibility. KalPa’s absences on defence mean Rasmus Miilunpohja and Jesper Kotajärvi are set for their first Liiga appearances of the season, underlining the need to adapt their lineup.
Why It Matters
Availability shifts of this kind directly affect ice-time allocation and in-game management. A team dressing six defencemen must manage its blue-line workload carefully, particularly in special-teams and late-game situations. For KalPa and Kärpät, players making their first league appearances of the season give coaches fresh variables to monitor, including composure, decision-making and how quickly they settle into the team structure. The goaltending changes at Kärpät and HIFK will also be closely watched.
Mini Q&A
Who returns to KooKoo’s lineup?
Marcus Davidsson returns to KooKoo after missing both of last week’s Kaakon derbies.
Which KooKoo defencemen are absent?
Ari Gröndahl and Aleksi Pakaslahti are absent, leaving KooKoo to play with six defencemen.
Which KalPa players are missing and who comes in?
Joonas Lyytinen and Mitja Jokinen are absent; Rasmus Miilunpohja and Jesper Kotajärvi will play their first Liiga games of the season, listed as the 13th forward and seventh defenceman respectively.
What changes did Kärpät make after their 0-4 defeat?
Kärpät replaced Niklas Rubin with Visa Vedenpää in goal, named Tuukka Tieksola and Veeti Ruotsalainen for their first Liiga games of the season, omitted Tommi Tikka and Kalle Loponen, and reshuffled defensive pairings with Aleksi Matinmikko teamed with Arttu Paaso.
Which teams made small goalkeeper or bench changes?
Kärpät will start Visa Vedenpää; HIFK will start Hugo Alnefelt with Vili Varonen on the bench; SaiPa will start Gustavs Grigals; Kiekko-Espoo will start Petteri Rimpinen; Sport keep Masi Härkönen in goal.
Coach Mark Comment
A six-defenceman lineup demands disciplined shift management and simple decisions with the puck. For players making their first league appearances of the season, defined responsibilities and reliable support from teammates can help them settle quickly into the game.
What Comes Next
Several items named in the selection notes remain immediate checkpoints: KooKoo will play their home game with six defencemen; KalPa will field Rasmus Miilunpohja and Jesper Kotajärvi in their first Liiga games of the season (Miilunpohja as 13th forward, Kotajärvi as seventh defenceman); Kärpät will start Visa Vedenpää in goal, and Tuukka Tieksola and Veeti Ruotsalainen will appear in their first league games of the season; HIFK will start Hugo Alnefelt in goal with Vili Varonen on the bench.
IHM Final View
KooKoo’s forward recovery is welcome, but their defensive shortfall will be a defining factor in the home game. Elsewhere, KalPa and Kärpät have adjusted their selections, and the players making their first Liiga appearances of the season will be worth watching as the round unfolds.