Story Summary
Jokerit‘s difficult start to the Liiga season continued with a 3-2 overtime defeat to Tappara at Nokia Arena, yet there were clear positives in the performance.
Jokerit trailed 2-1 for much of the game and struggled to create chances in the closing minutes. Emil Kuusla produced an outstanding individual play to set up Maxime Fortier for the late equaliser, taking the game into overtime.
Jokerit had opportunities in the extra period, but Tappara secured the win when Joachim Blichfeld found space in a dangerous scoring area and fired into the roof of the net.
Key Facts
- Tappara beat Jokerit 3-2 in overtime at Nokia Arena.
- Jokerit had been trailing 2-1 before Maxime Fortier’s late equaliser.
- Emil Kuusla created Fortier’s scoring chance with an individual effort.
- Joachim Blichfeld scored Tappara’s overtime winner.
- Tomi Karhunen made several important saves for Jokerit.
- Jokerit’s defensive group was credited with more reliable puck exits and repeated wins in defensive-zone battles.
- Jokerit’s main issue remained chance creation at five-on-five.
IHM Discussion
The result extended Jokerit’s poor opening run, but the performance offered a more useful measure of progress than the final score alone. Jokerit stayed in the contest against Tappara, found a route back from 2-1 down and created chances to win it in overtime.
The most encouraging elements came away from the attacking end. Karhunen gave Jokerit the saves needed to remain close, while the defensive work was stronger in two important areas: moving the puck out of the zone and competing for loose pucks in their own end. Those details can limit pressure and give a side a platform to play from.
The attacking concern remains clear. Jokerit found it difficult to generate five-on-five opportunities, particularly as the game moved into its final minutes. Fortier’s goal showed that individual skill can create a decisive opening, but the broader challenge is to make those openings more regular.
Why It Matters
For Jokerit, the defeat still brought a tangible sign that the basic structure can hold up in a close Liiga game. A team that defends more cleanly and receives strong goaltending gives itself a chance to stay within reach, even when its attack is not producing consistently.
The late equaliser also mattered because it prevented a narrow defeat from becoming a game in which Jokerit never seriously threatened a response. They earned overtime against Tappara, then had opportunities before Blichfeld’s finish decided it.
Mini Q&A
Who scored Jokerit’s late equaliser against Tappara?
Maxime Fortier scored the late equaliser after an individual play by Emil Kuusla created the opportunity.
Who scored the overtime winner for Tappara?
Joachim Blichfeld scored Tappara’s overtime winner.
What was Jokerit’s main problem in the game?
Jokerit had difficulty creating scoring chances at five-on-five, despite stronger goaltending and defensive work.
Coach Mark Comment
Jokerit’s most useful building block from this game was the connection between defensive-zone work and goaltending. Karhunen’s saves carried greater value because the team competed more effectively around him and managed its exits with greater control. The next improvement must come in turning those exits into sustained five-on-five offence rather than relying on isolated moments of individual creation.
IHM Final View
Jokerit left Nokia Arena without the extra point, but not without encouragement. The 3-2 overtime loss to Tappara showed a more resilient defensive performance, a strong outing from Tomi Karhunen and a late response led by Emil Kuusla and Maxime Fortier. The five-on-five attack remains the central issue, but this was a firmer performance base than Jokerit had shown earlier in the season.