Tag: Kiekko‑Espoo

Miettinen reshapes HIFK lines for Kiekko-Espoo test

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Tommi Miettinen will take charge of HIFK for the first time when they visit Kiekko-Espoo on Friday. His first selection includes two significant returns from injury, with forward Niko Huuhtanen joining the top line and goaltender Hugo Alnefelt starting in goal.

Huuhtanen will play alongside Daniel Mäkiaho and captain Iiro Pakarinen. Jere Somervuori, who featured on the first line against Lukko on Tuesday, moves to a line with Eetu Liukas and Jake Leschyshyn.

Miettinen has also moved Vincent Marleau to centre on the second line, between Sampo Ranta and Lassi Vanhatalo. The defence pairs are unchanged from the Lukko game.

Key Facts

  • Tommi Miettinen will coach HIFK for the first time in Friday’s away game against Kiekko-Espoo, which begins at 19.30.
  • Niko Huuhtanen returns to HIFK’s line-up and will skate on the first line with Daniel Mäkiaho and captain Iiro Pakarinen.
  • Hugo Alnefelt returns to the squad and will start in goal, with Olof Glifford named as the backup.
  • Vincent Marleau moves to second-line centre, with Sampo Ranta and Lassi Vanhatalo on his wings.
  • Lauri Sinivuori is listed as HIFK’s 13th forward after playing at centre on the second line against Lukko.
  • Atte Joki joins Anttoni Uronen and Ottoville Leppänen on the fourth line, while Aatu Karjalainen is out of the line-up.
  • HIFK will use the same three defence pairs as they did against Lukko, with David Nemecek serving as the seventh defenceman.
  • Vili Varonen is out of HIFK’s line-up.

IHM Discussion

Miettinen’s first HIFK selection brings immediate movement through the forward group. Huuhtanen is restored directly to the top line, while Somervuori drops from the unit he occupied against Lukko to join Liukas and Leschyshyn.

The second line is also rebuilt around Marleau at centre. Vanhatalo steps up from the third line to join Marleau and Ranta, while Sinivuori moves from second-line centre to the extra-forward role. Behind them, HIFK have kept continuity on defence and made Alnefelt the starting goaltender on his return.

Why It Matters

The match gives Miettinen an immediate opportunity to establish his preferred forward combinations in Liiga competition. Huuhtanen’s return adds a player straight into the leading unit, while Alnefelt’s inclusion restores another option in goal.

Keeping the defence unchanged means the most visible adjustments come among the forwards and in net. Friday’s game is therefore the first public indication of how Miettinen intends to arrange HIFK’s available personnel.

Mini Q&A

Who is starting in goal for HIFK against Kiekko-Espoo?

Hugo Alnefelt will start for HIFK, with Olof Glifford as the backup.

Which line will Niko Huuhtanen play on?

Niko Huuhtanen will play on HIFK’s first line with Daniel Mäkiaho and Iiro Pakarinen.

Have HIFK changed their defence pairs?

No. HIFK’s three defence pairs remain unchanged from the game against Lukko, while David Nemecek stays as the seventh defenceman.

What Comes Next

HIFK face Kiekko-Espoo away on Friday at 19.30 in Tommi Miettinen’s first game as head coach.

Väisänen ends 620-day drought with dramatic OT winner

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

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.

Kiekko-Espoo names two new members to its board

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Kiekko-Espoo Oy has announced the composition of its new board following the company’s shareholders’ meeting. Two new members, Amel Gaily and Erkki Zaiedman, were elected at the 3.9 meeting. The board convened for the first time on 14.9. Henrik Pankakoski, who had served on the board for several years, has left the board. Existing directors remaining on the board are chair Arto Linnervuo, vice-chair Jan Westö and members Olli Hänninen, Nora Ojala (chair of Kiekko-Espoo Ry), Karri Kivioja and Toni Kähkönen.

Key Facts

  • Kiekko-Espoo Oy’s shareholders’ meeting on 3.9. elected two new board members.
  • The board met for the first time on 14.9.
  • New board members are Amel Gaily and Erkki Zaiedman.
  • Henrik Pankakoski left the board after several years of service.
  • Amel Gaily is chief executive officer of wellbeing technology company Cuckoo Networks Oy.
  • Gaily said she has progressed through Espoo’s hockey pathway from Noux to Blues and called Kiekko-Espoo a “great brand”.
  • Gaily added that much good work has been done, that the club is in an interesting situation and that she sees “huge potential” in Espoo.
  • Erkki Zaiedman is a K-food retailer at K-Supermarket Lasihytti and K-Market Kauklahti through Kapseri Oy, and serves on the K-Supermarket chain’s board.
  • Zaiedman said Espoo hockey has been close to his heart and that he wanted to give something back, adding that developing local Espoo is important to him and that Kiekko-Espoo suits his work perfectly.
  • Continuing on the board are chair Arto Linnervuo, vice-chair Jan Westö and members Olli Hänninen, Nora Ojala (Kiekko-Espoo Ry chair), Karri Kivioja and Toni Kähkönen.

IHM Discussion

The board change at Kiekko-Espoo Oy is an organisational development that mixes corporate and local retail experience with a technology-sector executive. The company confirmed the formal election of Amel Gaily and Erkki Zaiedman at the shareholders’ meeting on 3.9 and noted the board’s first meeting on 14.9. The departure of Henrik Pankakoski clears space for the two additions without altering the rest of the existing board, which remains led by chair Arto Linnervuo and vice-chair Jan Westö. Both new members framed their participation in local and personal terms: Gaily referenced a long personal connection to Espoo hockey and Zaiedman emphasised a desire to support the local community.

Why It Matters

Board composition can influence a club’s strategic direction and community relationships. Gaily arrives from the wellbeing technology sector as chief executive of Cuckoo Networks Oy, while Zaiedman brings grocery-retail experience through two K-brand stores and a role on the K-Supermarket chain’s board. Both highlighted ties to Espoo and a wish to contribute locally, underlining the local perspective behind the appointments.

Mini Q&A

Who were the new board members appointed to Kiekko-Espoo Oy?

Amel Gaily and Erkki Zaiedman were elected to the board.

When were the new members elected and when did the board first meet?

They were elected at the shareholders’ meeting on 3.9., and the board met for the first time on 14.9.

Who left the board to make way for the new appointments?

Henrik Pankakoski, who had served on the board for several years, left the board.

What are the professional backgrounds of the new appointees?

Amel Gaily is chief executive of wellbeing technology company Cuckoo Networks Oy. Erkki Zaiedman is a K-food retailer at K-Supermarket Lasihytti and K-Market Kauklahti through Kapseri Oy, and serves on the K-Supermarket chain’s board.

Which board members remain in place following the changes?

Chair Arto Linnervuo, vice-chair Jan Westö and members Olli Hänninen, Nora Ojala (chair of Kiekko-Espoo Ry), Karri Kivioja and Toni Kähkönen remain on the board.

IHM Final View

Kiekko-Espoo’s new board is now a mix of longstanding club figures and recently appointed local and commercial leaders. With the formal election on 3.9 and the inaugural meeting on 14.9 completed, the immediate governance picture is clear: two new voices join an otherwise unchanged board. How those voices influence commercial partnerships, community work and the club’s broader strategy will be visible only through the board’s future activity; the statement so far is one of intent and local commitment rather than specific operational change.