Story Summary
Tappara will take a substantially altered line-up into Saturday’s Liiga meeting with Pelicans after Aapeli Räsänen, Vilho Vanhatalo and Olle Strandell were ruled out. Räsänen and Vanhatalo both left Tappara’s previous game before its conclusion, while Strandell also drops out of the squad.
Head coach Fredrik Norrena has responded by remaking every forward line. Julius Mattila moves into the first-line centre role previously occupied by Räsänen, flanked by Benjamin Rautiainen and Michael Lindqvist. Christian Heljanko takes over in goal, with Juha Metsola serving as the back-up.
Key Facts
- Aapeli Räsänen, Vilho Vanhatalo and Olle Strandell are absent from Tappara’s line-up for Saturday’s Liiga game against Pelicans.
- Räsänen and Vilho Vanhatalo both left Tappara’s previous game before it ended.
- Aapeli Räsänen had been playing as Tappara’s first-line centre.
- Joachim Blichfeld was already unavailable to Tappara before the latest changes.
- William Wiå, Emil Järventie and Markus Niemeläinen have been added to Tappara’s line-up.
- Julius Mattila centres Benjamin Rautiainen and Michael Lindqvist on Tappara’s first line.
- Kasper Simontaival joins Henrik Haapala and Oliver Suvanto on the second line.
- William Wiå plays on the left wing of a third line with Dylan Fabre and Tomi Sallinen.
- Markus Niemeläinen forms Tappara’s third defensive pairing with Joni Tuulola.
- Christian Heljanko starts in goal, while Juha Metsola is named as the back-up.
IHM Discussion
The absence of Räsänen removes Tappara’s established first-line centre and creates the biggest change in Norrena’s reshuffle. Mattila and Lindqvist were on the second line in the previous game, but are now reunited at the top of the order with Rautiainen.
The changes extend through the entire attack rather than being limited to one replacement. Simontaival moves from the first line to the second, where he is joined by Haapala and Suvanto after their previous third-line roles. Wiå enters on the third line, while Järventie is listed as the 13th forward. On defence, Niemeläinen steps in alongside Tuulola, and Heljanko replaces Metsola between the pipes.
Why It Matters
Tappara’s adjustments affect its centre depth, wing combinations, defensive pairings and goaltending in one game. Mattila’s move to the middle of the first line is the clearest change, while the revised order gives Norrena a new set of forward trios to use against Pelicans.
The selection also brings three players into the match-day group while Blichfeld remains unavailable. That leaves Tappara with a line-up carrying several changes from the previous outing.
Mini Q&A
Who replaces Aapeli Räsänen at first-line centre for Tappara?
Julius Mattila moves into the first-line centre role, with Benjamin Rautiainen and Michael Lindqvist on his wings.
Which players enter Tappara’s line-up against Pelicans?
Forwards William Wiå and Emil Järventie, plus defenceman Markus Niemeläinen, have been brought into the squad.
What Comes Next
Tappara are scheduled to face Pelicans on Saturday with Mattila at first-line centre and Heljanko in goal.