Story Summary
Olli Jokinen has made significant changes to HIFK’s forward lines for the Saturday meeting with KalPa after the Helsinki side’s 3-2 overtime loss to Jokerit.
Daniel Mäkiaho, Iiro Pakarinen and Niko Huuhtanen will form HIFK’s new first line. Eetu Liukas, Jake Leschyshyn and Vincent Marleau make up the reshaped second unit.
There is also a new name in the HIFK line-up, with Lauri Sinivuori coming in as the centre on the fourth line. The changes arrive during a difficult start to the Liiga season for HIFK, who sit third from bottom with 10 points from 10 games.
KalPa will again be without star forward Jaakko Rissanen, while retaining the same group that played on Friday. Aleksi Klemetti, Elias Vilen and Juuso Mäenpää are set to skate on KalPa’s first line, with Stefanos Lekkas continuing in goal.
Key Facts
- Olli Jokinen has altered HIFK’s first and second forward lines for the KalPa fixture.
- Daniel Mäkiaho, Iiro Pakarinen and Niko Huuhtanen comprise HIFK’s new first line.
- Eetu Liukas, Jake Leschyshyn and Vincent Marleau have been placed together on the revised second line.
- Lauri Sinivuori enters the HIFK line-up as fourth-line centre.
- HIFK have collected 10 points in 10 Liiga matches and are third from bottom after losing 3-2 in overtime to Jokerit.
- KalPa will play without Jaakko Rissanen for a second consecutive game.
- KalPa’s first line features Aleksi Klemetti, Elias Vilen and Juuso Mäenpää, with Stefanos Lekkas in net.
IHM Discussion
The scale of the change is notable because it affects both of HIFK’s leading forward units rather than simply making an adjustment lower in the line-up. Mäkiaho, Pakarinen and Huuhtanen are being given the assignment, while Liukas, Leschyshyn and Marleau move into a newly configured second unit.
Sinivuori’s arrival at centre on the fourth line adds another change to the forward group. Jokinen’s selections come with HIFK under pressure after a poor opening 10-game return, while the club’s leadership has publicly maintained its backing for the head coach despite supporters calling for his dismissal.
Why It Matters
HIFK need an improved response after their overtime defeat by Jokerit and a start that has left them near the bottom of the Liiga table. The revised combinations give the KalPa game immediate importance as a test of how the new forward units function.
For KalPa, Rissanen’s continued absence is a clear constraint, although the side will keep the same personnel used on Friday and retain Lekkas in goal.