Story Summary
Kiekko-Espoo finally broke a long-standing 620-day drought in 3-on-3 overtime scoring when Jere Väisänen finished the winner after Ville Lajunen intercepted a Sport pass and set up a two-on-one. The decisive finish beat Sport goaltender Masi Härkönen in a game in Vaasa that produced no goals in regulation and was decided in extra time.
Key Facts
- Kiekko-Espoo ended a 620-day streak without a 3-on-3 overtime goal.
- Jere Väisänen scored the winning goal in overtime.
- The scoring sequence began when Ville Lajunen intercepted a Sport player’s pass and moved the puck to Väisänen.
- Väisänen finished the chance by shooting past Sport goalie Masi Härkönen.
- The match in Vaasa produced no goals during regulation and was decided in overtime.
- Last season Kiekko-Espoo won only once in overtime during the Liiga regular season and lost nine times.
- Kiekko-Espoo’s only regular-season overtime win last season came against Ilves, when Matti Järvinen scored a power-play goal.
- Kiekko-Espoo lost both of their playoff games that went to overtime last season.
- Kiekko-Espoo’s previous 3-on-3 goal had come on 11 January 2025, when Ville Lajunen scored to beat KooKoo.
- Later in that same season Kiekko-Espoo recorded two more overtime wins, but both were power-play goals; opponents secured three overtime wins that season, one of which was decided by a power-play goal.
- This was Kiekko-Espoo’s second overtime game of the current season; last week SaiPa beat them with a Petrus Palmu power-play goal.
IHM Discussion
The overtime winner underlines how rare Kiekko-Espoo’s success in 3-on-3 situations has been. The club’s long run without a three-on-three goal stretched back to 11 January 2025, and their recent overtime history – a single regular-season OT win and multiple losses last year, plus two playoff OT defeats – framed this result as more than a single goal: it is a relief after repeated extra-time frustration. The finish itself was straightforward and decisive: Ville Lajunen’s interception turned defence into attack, and Väisänen’s shot beat a well-performing Sport netminder, Masi Härkönen, emphasising the importance of quick transition play in open-ice overtime.
Why It Matters
The goal ended a lengthy wait for a 3-on-3 overtime score and came after Kiekko-Espoo struggled in extra time last season. It also showed how quickly a turnover can decide a tight game: Lajunen’s interception created the two-on-one, and Väisänen supplied the finish.
Mini Q&A
Who scored Kiekko-Espoo’s overtime winner?
Jere Väisänen scored the overtime winner.
How did the overtime goal develop?
Ville Lajunen intercepted a Sport pass, moved the puck across to Jere Väisänen, who finished the two-on-one by shooting past Sport goalie Masi Härkönen.
How long had it been since Kiekko-Espoo last scored in 3-on-3 overtime?
The club had not scored a 3-on-3 overtime goal for 620 days; their previous such goal came on 11 January 2025 when Ville Lajunen scored against KooKoo.
What was Kiekko-Espoo’s recent overtime record referenced in the report?
Last season Kiekko-Espoo won only once in overtime during the regular season and lost nine times; they also lost both overtime games they played in the playoffs.