Tag: Liiga

TPS to Face Ässät Without Lukas Haudum in Liiga

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS will be without one of their leading forwards when they face Ässät in Pori on Saturday. Austrian forward Lukas Haudum is absent from the line-up after making a major early contribution to the Turku club’s attack.

Haudum has produced 16 points, made up of five goals and 11 assists, in 11 Liiga appearances. The 29-year-old is TPS’s second-highest scorer and fourth in the league-wide points standings.

Joel Määttä will move into Haudum’s place as first-line centre. TPS will also welcome first-choice goaltender Eetu Mäkiniemi back between the pipes.

Key Facts

  • Lukas Haudum will not be in the TPS line-up for Saturday’s Liiga game against Ässät in Pori.
  • The 29-year-old Austrian forward has recorded 5+11=16 points in 11 Liiga games this season.
  • Haudum is TPS’s second-highest scorer and sits fourth in the Liiga scoring standings.
  • Haudum has played on TPS’s first line with Lukas Wernblom and Lars Bryggman; all three are in the league’s top 10 scorers.
  • Joel Määttä will take Haudum’s role as first-line centre against Ässät.
  • Eetu Mäkiniemi returns between the pipes after leaving Wednesday’s game against HIFK and missing Friday’s line-up.

IHM Discussion

Haudum’s absence removes a player who has been central to TPS’s early attacking output. His 16 points account for a substantial individual contribution, and the change breaks up a first line whose three members have all featured among Liiga’s leading scorers.

Määttä’s move to centre keeps the adjustment within the existing forward group rather than changing the line’s stated role entirely. The immediate task for TPS is to maintain the production and connection established by Haudum, Wernblom and Bryggman without their Austrian forward.

Mäkiniemi’s return gives TPS a significant reinforcement at the other end of the rink. The goaltender had been unable to finish the HIFK game on Wednesday and was then absent from Friday’s squad, making his return an important part of the team news before the trip to Pori.

Why It Matters

TPS are losing their second-most productive player for a game against a Liiga opponent, while also altering their first-line centre position. Haudum’s individual scoring rank and the output of his usual line underline the scale of the attacking change.

At the same time, Mäkiniemi’s return restores TPS’s first-choice goaltender to the line-up. The contrasting personnel news leaves TPS managing a notable forward absence while regaining a key option in goal.

Jokerit reshuffle lines as Curry moves to third

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Jokerit have reshaped their forward lines ahead of their Liiga fixture against Ässät, moving Patrick Curry from the wing on the first line to the middle of the third unit.

Antti Kalapudas takes Curry’s place alongside Henri Nikkanen and Maxime Fortier on the top line. The three forwards played for SaiPa last season.

There is also a new look to Jokerit’s second and fourth lines. Eetu Tuulola, who was playing on the second line a week ago, has moved to the fourth unit with Bruno Kallio and Aleksi Mustonen. Kristo Pitkänen steps into the second line alongside Markus Hännikäinen and Patrik Virta.

Curry will centre Emil Kuusla and Alexander Forslund on the third line. Jokerit have also altered a defensive pairing, with Riku Tuomola returning to the line-up beside Max Krogdahl on the first pair. Miks Tumanovs makes way.

Key Facts

  • Patrick Curry has moved from the first-line wing to centre Jokerit’s third line.
  • Antti Kalapudas joins Henri Nikkanen and Maxime Fortier on the first line; all three played for SaiPa last season.
  • Kristo Pitkänen replaces Eetu Tuulola on the second line alongside Markus Hännikäinen and Patrik Virta.
  • Tuulola moves to the fourth line with Bruno Kallio and Aleksi Mustonen after playing on the second line a week earlier.
  • Emil Kuusla and Alexander Forslund will play either side of Curry on the third line.
  • Riku Tuomola returns to the Jokerit line-up and will partner Max Krogdahl on the first defensive pair, with Miks Tumanovs leaving the line-up.
  • Tomi Karhunen remains Jokerit’s starting goaltender, while Olle Eriksson Ek is the backup.

IHM Discussion

The central change is Curry’s move away from the first line. Kalapudas is handed an immediate opportunity with Nikkanen and Fortier, reuniting a trio whose shared SaiPa season gives them an existing connection.

Jokerit’s adjustments extend beyond one promotion or demotion. Pitkänen’s arrival on the second line changes Tuulola’s role substantially, while Curry’s new position at centre gives the third unit a different focal point. The return of Tuomola also affects the blue line at the top of the defence rather than merely providing an extra option.

The goaltending arrangement is unchanged, leaving Karhunen in net and Eriksson Ek in reserve while the skaters around them take on new combinations.

Why It Matters

Line changes can quickly alter where a team’s responsibility and ice time are concentrated. Kalapudas now has the role with Nikkanen and Fortier, while Curry is entrusted with centring a third line flanked by Kuusla and Forslund.

For Tuulola, the move from the second line to the fourth is a clear change in deployment. At the same time, Tuomola’s return alongside Krogdahl places him straight into Jokerit’s first defensive pair. The revised groups give Jokerit a distinctly different set of combinations for the meeting with Ässät.

Ässät move top of Liiga after beating Jokerit

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Ässät moved into first place in Liiga after winning 4-2 away to Jokerit at Veikkaus Arena. The result took Ässät to 28 points, two clear of Ilves, whose 3-1 defeat at HPK saw them surrender the league lead.

Jokerit’s difficult run continued with an 11th loss of the season. Elsewhere, HPK goalkeeper Jakob Crespin made 28 saves in the win over Ilves, while the round also included victories for TPS, Lukko, Sport and Kärpät. The JYP-Kärpät game was still in progress at the time of the listed results.

Key Facts

  • Ässät won 4-2 at Jokerit and climbed to the top of Liiga on 28 points.
  • Ilves have 26 points after losing 3-1 away to HPK.
  • Jokerit have now lost 11 times this season.
  • HPK goalkeeper Jakob Crespin made 28 saves against Ilves.
  • TPS beat K-Espoo 4-2, while Lukko won 2-1 at Tappara.
  • Sport won 2-1 at Pelicans.
  • Kärpät led JYP 3-2 in a game that was still in progress.

IHM Discussion

The Friday round produced a direct change at the summit without Ässät and Ilves facing one another. Ässät completed their own job in Helsinki, while Ilves were unable to respond in Hämeenlinna. Crespin’s 28-save performance was central to HPK’s victory and left Ilves unable to protect their position at the top.

For Jokerit, the 4-2 home defeat added another setback to a season already marked by 11 losses. Ässät, meanwhile, left Helsinki with both the points and first place in the standings.

Why It Matters

Ässät now hold a two-point advantage over Ilves at the head of Liiga. The round also underlined how quickly the leading places can change when the teams at the top play on the same night. Jokerit’s loss matters in a different way: the club’s 11th defeat extends a difficult spell and leaves another negative result on its record.

Karri Kivi calls for standard Liiga injury updates

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Karri Kivi has questioned why Liiga clubs do not follow a common standard when communicating player injuries and expected absences.

The current approaches vary considerably. HIFK provides estimated return dates for injured players in each match preview, while Ässät publishes an injury update once a week. Ilves has offered relatively little information on injuries in recent years.

The issue has returned to focus after Ilves forward Lukas Jasek was injured in an away game against Sport more than a week ago. The Czech forward has not played since.

Kivi argued that clubs could issue a single weekly update naming unavailable players and indicating the expected length of their absences. In his view, that would reduce the ongoing discussion around players who are out of the line-up.

Key Facts

  • Karri Kivi called for a consistent Liiga-wide approach to injury and absence updates.
  • HIFK gives estimated return dates for injured players in its match previews.
  • Ässät publishes its injury situation once a week.
  • Ilves has provided limited injury information in recent years.
  • Lukas Jasek was injured in an away game against Sport more than a week ago and has not played since.
  • Player privacy considerations limit the injury information clubs can publish.
  • Kivi said clubs could still communicate absence lengths more openly within those limits.

IHM Discussion

Kivi’s argument is centred on consistency rather than unrestricted medical disclosure. The source makes clear that privacy rules place limits on what clubs can say, but he believes there is room for clearer communication about availability and expected absence periods.

A shared routine would also make the information easier to follow. At present, supporters and opponents receive updates at different intervals and with different levels of detail depending on the club involved. Kivi’s proposed weekly format is a straightforward attempt to replace that variation with a predictable process.

Why It Matters

Injury information affects how supporters understand a team’s line-up from one game to the next. Kivi’s point is that uncertainty around an absent player can become a continuing distraction when there is no indication of how long the absence may last.

Jasek’s absence has brought that wider issue into view at Ilves, but Kivi also identified scope for improvement across other Liiga clubs. His proposal does not remove privacy protections; it calls for clubs to be more transparent within the boundaries already in place.

Mini Q&A

What change has Karri Kivi proposed?

He has proposed a common weekly Liiga update identifying unavailable players and indicating how long they are expected to be absent.

Why is Ilves part of the discussion?

Ilves has communicated relatively little about injuries in recent years, and Lukas Jasek has not played since being injured against Sport more than a week ago.

Do privacy rules prevent clubs from sharing any information?

No. Privacy considerations limit what can be disclosed, but Kivi believes clubs can provide clearer information on absences within those limits.

Kärpät agree two-year extension with Kasper Soini

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Kärpät have agreed a two-year contract extension with defenceman Kasper Soini.

The 23-year-old has recorded two assists in 13 appearances for the Oulu club, without scoring a goal, and carries a plus-five rating. Soini previously represented Jukurit in Liiga.

Kärpät sporting director Kimmo Kapanen described Soini as an important part of the team, pointing to the defenceman’s skating, defensive coverage and ability to support attacks.

Key Facts

  • Kärpät have signed defenceman Kasper Soini, 23, to a two-year contract extension.
  • Soini has two assists and no goals in 13 appearances for Kärpät.
  • The defenceman has a plus-five rating.
  • Kärpät sporting director Kimmo Kapanen said Soini’s skating allows him to defend effectively across the ice and contribute to attacks.
  • Soini previously played for Jukurit in Liiga.

IHM Discussion

The extension secures Kärpät’s continued association with a young defenceman whom the club views as still developing. Kapanen’s assessment centred on Soini’s mobility: a quality that can aid defensive coverage while also allowing a blueliner to join attacking play.

Soini’s early scoring return is limited to two assists, but his plus-five rating offers a separate snapshot of his time on the ice. Kärpät’s decision therefore rests on more than goals, with the club identifying attributes in his skating and two-way contribution that it values within the group.

Why It Matters

For Kärpät, the agreement keeps Soini under contract for two more years while he remains at an early stage of his Liiga career. The club has publicly attached value to his defensive range and support for the attack, making the extension a clear statement of confidence in his longer-term development.

KooKoo confirm Robert Rooba is day-to-day injured

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

KooKoo head coach Kai Suikkanen has confirmed that Robert Rooba is injured and being monitored on a day-to-day basis.

Rooba has not played since Suikkanen became KooKoo’s head coach. The forward’s absence has drawn attention around the Liiga club, whose difficulties continued with a 4-3 defeat to Vaasan Sport.

Suikkanen addressed Rooba’s status after the Sport game, confirming the player’s injury but offering no timetable for his return.

Key Facts

  • Kai Suikkanen said Robert Rooba is injured and is being assessed on a day-to-day basis.
  • Rooba has not played since Suikkanen took over as KooKoo head coach.
  • KooKoo lost 4-3 to Vaasan Sport.
  • Rooba has scored one goal in 10 games this season and carries a minus-12 rating.
  • Last season, Rooba recorded 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in 59 regular-season games for KooKoo.

IHM Discussion

The update supplies a clear explanation for Rooba’s absence, while leaving the length of his lay-off uncertain. KooKoo will be without a forward who was one of the club’s key contributors last season, when he produced 39 regular-season points.

This season has been markedly tougher for Rooba. His single goal in 10 appearances and minus-12 rating underline the difficult opening stretch before the injury update. Suikkanen’s day-to-day description indicates that KooKoo are not attaching a firm return date to the situation.

Why It Matters

Rooba’s absence removes an experienced power forward from KooKoo’s available group at a time when the team’s Liiga struggles have continued. His production last season gives context to why his situation has become a prominent issue around the club.

TPS await clarity after Eetu Mäkiniemi injury scare

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS are awaiting further clarity on goalkeeper Eetu Mäkiniemi after he was forced out of their away game against HIFK following the opening period.

Head coach Toni Söderholm said Mäkiniemi was removed as a precaution after an incident in front of goal. Söderholm could not provide a fuller assessment of the goalkeeper’s condition immediately after the game.

" There was a small situation in front of the goal where our goalkeeper ended up in a somewhat difficult position," Söderholm said." As a precaution, we took him out."

Mäkiniemi is TPS’s first-choice goalkeeper, making the uncertainty around his status a significant concern for the Liiga side.

Key Facts

  • TPS goalkeeper Eetu Mäkiniemi left the away game against HIFK after the first period.
  • Toni Söderholm said the withdrawal followed a small incident in front of goal.
  • Söderholm described the decision to remove Mäkiniemi as precautionary.
  • TPS had no further information immediately after the game on the seriousness of Mäkiniemi’s injury.
  • Söderholm, a former HIFK captain and HIFK youth product, said he enjoyed returning to the venue and praised its atmosphere and crowd.

IHM Discussion

The immediate detail is limited, but TPS acted conservatively rather than asking Mäkiniemi to continue after the goalmouth incident. Söderholm’s comments make clear that the club had not yet established the severity of the problem when he spoke.

For now, the important distinction is between a precautionary in-game withdrawal and a confirmed longer-term absence. TPS have confirmed the former, while the latter remains unknown.

Why It Matters

Mäkiniemi’s status matters because he is TPS’s first-choice goalkeeper. Any absence would affect the team’s options in net, but Söderholm did not put a timetable on the situation or indicate how serious the injury may be.

Antti Tyrväinen still hopes for a return to Liiga

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Antti Tyrväinen is still looking for a club and would like to continue his career in Liiga. The 37-year-old forward, who played for JYP last season, has ruled out another move abroad but says he remains open to playing on.

Tyrväinen has been training with Pelicans‘ under-20 team and says a hip operation before last season has left him free of pain. He also acknowledges that family life in Lahti and his age are factors as he considers whether to continue or retire.

Key Facts

  • Antti Tyrväinen, 37, is seeking a new club after playing for JYP last season.
  • He says continuing in Liiga would interest him, but he will not move abroad again.
  • Tyrväinen has trained with Pelicans’ under-20 team.
  • He says a hip operation before last season has removed the pain that had affected him.
  • Across 583 Liiga regular-season games, Tyrväinen has recorded 102 goals and 120 assists for 222 points, alongside 1,046 penalty minutes.
  • He criticised Liiga’s schedule, particularly games on consecutive days, and linked the workload to player absences and injuries.

IHM Discussion

Tyrväinen’s position is clear: he believes he is physically capable of continuing, but has not committed himself to doing so. His training with Pelicans’ under-20 group gives him a way to maintain full training while he weighs a Liiga opportunity against the demands of family life.

His criticism of the schedule reflects his own view of the physical burden created by consecutive-day fixtures. It is not presented as a reason for any particular club decision, but it is part of how he assesses the demands of another season.

Why It Matters

A return would bring substantial Liiga experience to whichever club signs Tyrväinen. His 583 regular-season appearances, 222 points and 1,046 penalty minutes underline a long top-flight record, while his JYP play-off contribution last season suggests he remained capable of influencing competitive games.

For now, however, there is no stated agreement with a club. Tyrväinen’s interest in staying in Finland is firm, but retirement remains a possibility he has not dismissed.

Mini Q&A

Is Antti Tyrväinen retired?

No. Tyrväinen says he is still considering playing and remains interested in continuing in Liiga, although he has not ruled out retirement.

Where has Tyrväinen been training?

He has been training with Pelicans’ under-20 team.

Will Tyrväinen play abroad again?

No. He says he has promised his family that he will not move abroad again.

Niko Huuhtanen leaves game after stick injury

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Niko Huuhtanen left the ice and did not return after being struck in the face by Daniel Mäkiaho’s stick during HIFK’s Wednesday-night Liiga meeting with TPS. Mäkiaho said Huuhtanen required stitches at the corner of his eye and may also have taken a blow to the eye itself.

TPS won the 60th-anniversary game at Nordis 4-3 after a shoot-out. Mäkiaho nevertheless had a productive individual night, recording two goals and an assist to move top of the Liiga scoring standings.

Key Facts

  • Daniel Mäkiaho’s stick struck his linemate Niko Huuhtanen in the face during the HIFK-TPS game.
  • Huuhtanen went to the dressing room after the incident and did not return during the match.
  • Mäkiaho said Huuhtanen received stitches at the corner of his eye and may also have suffered an impact to the eye.
  • TPS beat HIFK 4-3 after a shoot-out in the 60th-anniversary game at Nordis.
  • Mäkiaho registered 2+1 and moved into first place in the Liiga scoring race.
  • He is on an eight-game points streak with 15 points, made up of eight goals and seven assists.

IHM Discussion

The immediate concern is Huuhtanen’s condition after an accidental stick incident forced him from the game. The available update establishes that he needed stitches, but it does not confirm his availability for HIFK’s next fixture.

For Mäkiaho, the night combined a sharp offensive return with a difficult result. His three points extended a sustained run of production and put him at the head of the league scoring standings for the first time. After the game, he said HIFK needed to defend more compactly and stop TPS’s longer attacks more effectively, particularly during a difficult second period.

Why It Matters

Huuhtanen’s early departure is a matter to monitor for HIFK as the Liiga schedule continues at the weekend. His absence from the remainder of the game was confirmed, while any longer-term impact remains unclear.

Mäkiaho’s scoring streak is also a notable individual development. Fifteen points across eight games, including eight goals, has carried him into the league lead, even though HIFK came away with only the shoot-out loss.

Mini Q&A

What happened to Niko Huuhtanen?

He was struck in the face by Daniel Mäkiaho’s stick, left for the dressing room and did not return to the game. Mäkiaho said Huuhtanen needed stitches at the corner of his eye.

How did Daniel Mäkiaho perform?

Mäkiaho scored twice and added an assist. His 2+1 performance moved him top of the Liiga scoring standings and extended his points streak to eight games.

What was the result of HIFK versus TPS?

TPS won 4-3 after a shoot-out in the 60th-anniversary game at Nordis.

What Comes Next

TPS are scheduled to host Kiekko-Espoo on Friday. HIFK travel to Lappeenranta to face SaiPa on Saturday, when there may be a clearer update on Huuhtanen’s status.

TPS ice fault traced to machine installation error

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS have identified an installation error involving an ice-resurfacing machine as the cause of the ice problem that forced their Liiga regular-season game against Sport to be postponed at Gatorade Center in Turku.

The match was scheduled for last Friday but did not take place after a lengthy delay. Its start was initially pushed back while efforts were made to repair the surface, but the ice could not be made fit for play. Player safety could not be guaranteed, and the decision to postpone was made with Liiga approval following the officials’ assessment.

Kari Rantala, managing director of Koy Turun Monitoimihalli, said supervision and inspection had failed to detect the issue in time. He said the matter had been reviewed with the arena company’s maintenance operation, with changes to preparation and monitoring planned.

TPS and Sport will now play the postponed fixture on Sunday 29 November at 17:00.

Key Facts

  • TPS’s Liiga regular-season fixture against Sport was postponed after ice problems at Gatorade Center in Turku.
  • The game was delayed before being called off because the surface could not be repaired to a playable condition.
  • Liiga approved the postponement following an assessment by the officials, after player safety could not be guaranteed.
  • TPS said the underlying issue was an installation error involving an ice-resurfacing machine.
  • Kari Rantala said the fault was not identified in time because supervision and inspection failed.
  • In a players’ association survey published in spring 2025, 28 per cent of Liiga players rated the Turku ice as the league’s worst across all venues.
  • The rearranged TPS-Sport game is scheduled for Sunday 29 November at 17:00.

IHM Discussion

The immediate issue was not simply a delayed puck drop but a surface deemed unsafe for players. Once the ice could not be restored to playing condition, postponement was the necessary outcome under the circumstances described.

TPS’s explanation places the fault with the installation of the ice-resurfacing machine, while Rantala’s comments also acknowledge a failure to catch the problem before the teams were left waiting. The club and arena company have said they are changing both their preparation and monitoring processes.

The incident also arrives against a backdrop of previous criticism of the Turku ice. The 2025 players’ association survey does not establish the cause of this particular failure, but it gives added context to why the latest disruption will attract attention.

Why It Matters

Ice quality is a direct player-safety issue as well as a basic requirement for staging a professional game. The postponed fixture creates a confirmed new date for TPS and Sport, while the arena’s stated operational changes will be closely watched after the installation error and delayed detection.

Mini Q&A

Why was TPS’s game against Sport postponed?

The ice at Gatorade Center could not be repaired to a playable condition, and player safety could not be guaranteed.

What caused the ice problem?

TPS said the cause was an installation error involving an ice-resurfacing machine.

When will TPS and Sport play the rearranged game?

The match is scheduled for Sunday 29 November at 17:00.

What Comes Next

The next stated checkpoint is the rearranged TPS-Sport Liiga game at Gatorade Center on Sunday 29 November at 17:00.