Tag: Liiga

SaiPa reduces cheerleader performances amid fan feedback

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

SaiPa‘s cheerleader group learned in the summer that their appearances at home games would be reduced to a fraction of last season’s level. Chief executive Jani Valkeapää confirmed the reduction and said the primary reason was feedback from spectators, some of whom felt dancing could disrupt watching the match and moving on the arena stairs. The cheerleaders, represented by Silja Kukkola, say SaiPa did not directly tell them that spectator feedback was behind the decision. The group had already opened auditions for the coming season and had expected to perform as they did previously. SaiPa also cited the practical limitations of its 1972-built Kisapuisto arena, while Valkeapää said the future of the activities would be discussed during the season.

Key Facts

  • SaiPa has reduced the number of cheerleader performances at home games for the current Liiga season, according to the club.
  • SaiPa chief executive Jani Valkeapää said the main reason for reducing appearances is feedback from spectators, some of whom feel dancing can disturb watching the match and moving on the stairs.
  • Cheerleader group member Silja Kukkola says the dancers only learned of the scale of the reduction in the summer, after they had already opened auditions for the season.
  • The cheerleaders say SaiPa did not directly inform them that spectator feedback was behind the decision.
  • Last season the SaiPa cheerleaders performed at all home games; this season their appearances will be a small fraction of that number.
  • SaiPa’s home arena, Kisapuisto in Lappeenranta, was built in 1972; the club and cheerleaders both say the arena is small and lacks a dedicated quiet area for the group.
  • Cheerleaders perform only during stoppages, entering the stair area after the busiest flow of spectators and leaving before the period ends to avoid obstructing movement.
  • The club offered cheerleaders extra work such as promotional duties at club events, but the cheerleaders say that offer was later withdrawn.
  • Valkeapää said matters will proceed as planned and the club will discuss the future of cheerleader activities during the season.

IHM Discussion

SaiPa frames the decision as a response to spectator feedback, while the cheerleaders’ account emphasises poor communication and the emotional impact of the reduction. The withdrawn offer of promotional work also shows how operational changes can affect the group’s expectations.

Why It Matters

Cheerleaders can enliven quieter games and contribute to club marketing, while SaiPa must also account for feedback about watching the match and moving on the stairs in a cramped venue. How the club handles the issue may shape its relationship with the group and local supporters.

Mini Q&A

How many home games will the cheerleaders perform in this season?

Some performances have already taken place.

Who confirmed that performances have been reduced?

SaiPa chief executive Jani Valkeapää confirmed the reduction and said it was driven primarily by spectator feedback.

Did the cheerleaders know about the reduction beforehand?

The cheerleaders say they learned of the scale of the reduction in the summer and were not directly told that spectator feedback was behind the decision.

Were alternative duties offered to the cheerleaders?

SaiPa reportedly offered promotional and other assisting duties, but the cheerleaders say that offer changed shortly before the season and they were told they were not needed for those tasks.

Coach Mark Comment

Clear early agreements can help clubs and performance groups manage older, tighter venues. Setting out performance locations and timings, monitoring stair traffic and communicating changes directly would reduce uncertainty for everyone involved.

What Comes Next

SaiPa’s CEO Jani Valkeapää said the club will proceed as planned and that the future of cheerleader activities will be discussed during the season.

IHM Final View

SaiPa’s decision reflects the spectator concerns it says it received and Kisapuisto’s practical limitations. The cheerleaders’ account, however, points to a need for clearer direct communication as the club discusses the future of the activities during the season.

Kimmo Rintanen praises L-line’s chemistry as TPS power play clicks

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Kimmo Rintanen, back at TPS after five seasons as an assistant coach with Swiss club Kloten in the NL, is encouraged by the strong start from TPS’s L-line and the club’s power play. Rintanen, who served as TPS assistant coach from 2015-2021 (except 2016-17 when he worked with the A-junior team), now oversees the team’s power-play work. He highlighted the on-ice chemistry and leadership of the L-line – 26-year-old Lukas Wernblom, 29-year-old Lukas Haudum and 33-year-old Lars Bryggman – and noted that TPS’s only goal against Sport came on the power play during the opening rounds.

Key Facts

  • Kimmo Rintanen is TPS assistant coach and responsible for the club’s power play.
  • Rintanen served as TPS assistant coach from 2015 to 2021, with the 2016-17 season spent as an A-junior assistant.
  • He spent the previous five seasons working abroad as an assistant coach with Kloten in Switzerland’s NL.
  • Rintanen said his return to Finland was welcome because his family is now nearby after living in Switzerland without them.
  • Rintanen contrasts Liiga’s more tactical, tight and physical game with the NL’s more open, faster and attack-oriented play, noting greater puck skill among top players in Switzerland.
  • TPS’s power play has been performing well in the first three rounds; TPS’s only goal against Sport came on the power play.
  • The L-line is formed by Lukas Wernblom (26), Lukas Haudum (29) and Lars Bryggman (33).
  • Rintanen said the trio has created many dangerous situations in every game and carries significant responsibility and ice time, including on the power play.
  • Off the ice, Rintanen praised the line for setting an example in their roles and behaviour, singling out Bryggman for his experience and understanding of what winning teams require.
  • Rintanen described Haudum as competitive, hardworking and eager to develop, and Wernblom as the youngest of the trio who has played effectively and produced consistent results at TPS year after year.
  • According to Liiga, Wernblom’s start to the season is historical: no TPS player had previously recorded seven points in the first two games of a season.

IHM Discussion

Rintanen’s return to TPS brings back a coach who knows the club and has extensive experience of Swiss hockey. That dual perspective offers useful context as he oversees the power play. The early evidence is encouraging: TPS’s power play has run smoothly through the first three rounds, and the club’s only goal against Sport came on the man advantage.

The L-line combines Bryggman’s experience, Haudum’s competitive drive and Wernblom’s productive start to the season. Rintanen highlighted both the trio’s on-ice cohesion, particularly in the offensive zone, and its example-setting away from the rink. That blend helps explain the line’s substantial ice time and power-play role early in the campaign.

Rintanen’s comparison of Liiga and the NL also underlines the differing demands of the two leagues. He sees Liiga as more tactical, tighter and more physical, while describing the Swiss game as more open, faster and attack-oriented.

Why It Matters

A functioning power play can be decisive in close Liiga games, and TPS have made an encouraging start on the man advantage. The L-line’s early chemistry, substantial role and leadership example give the club a valuable foundation. If the trio maintains that connection, it can remain an important source of offence and experience for TPS.

Mini Q&A

Who is Kimmo Rintanen and what is his role at TPS?

Kimmo Rintanen is TPS’s assistant coach responsible for the team’s power play; he previously worked as TPS assistant coach from 2015-2021 (except 2016-17) and spent the last five seasons as an assistant at Kloten in Switzerland’s NL.

Which players make up the L-line?

The L-line consists of Lukas Wernblom (26), Lukas Haudum (29) and Lars Bryggman (33).

How has TPS’s power play started the season?

TPS’s power play has been running well in the first three rounds, and the team’s only goal against Sport came on the power play.

What did Rintanen say about the differences between Liiga and the Swiss NL?

Rintanen said Liiga tends to be more tactical, tighter and more physical, whereas the Swiss NL is more open, faster and attack-oriented with more puck skill among top players.

What historical milestone involving Lukas Wernblom was noted?

According to Liiga, no TPS player had previously recorded seven points in the first two games of a season; Wernblom’s start reached that seven-point mark.

Coach Mark Comment

The early value of this line is its ability to create chances while carrying a sizeable workload. The coaching priority is to keep its power-play reads clear and ensure the three forwards remain connected when opponents begin to adjust.

IHM Final View

Rintanen’s return gives TPS a coach with experience of both Liiga and the Swiss NL, while the early power-play form and L-line chemistry offer encouraging signs. Bryggman, Haudum and Wernblom have quickly taken on a significant role for the club.

TPS captain Niklas Friman sidelined for months with injury

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

TPS captain Niklas Friman will be unavailable for several months after the injury he suffered in the recent match against Sport, the club has announced. Friman left that game after just four minutes on the ice; subsequent examinations produced an assessment that will keep him out for around three months. Friman had recorded 1+1 in three appearances this season prior to the injury. Forward Veli-Matti Savinainen, who has not played at all this season, is now expected to return to the lineup in October. Defence man Oliver Lauridsen remains sidelined as he serves the final four games of a suspension imposed last spring.

Key Facts

  • TPS captain Niklas Friman was injured in the match against Sport and played only four minutes in that game before leaving.
  • Medical examinations indicate Friman will be out for approximately three months.
  • Friman registered 1+1 in three games this season before the injury.
  • Veli-Matti Savinainen has been unavailable for the entire season so far but is expected to return to play in October.
  • Oliver Lauridsen is currently unavailable while four suspension games remain from a ban received last spring.

IHM Discussion

Losing Niklas Friman for an estimated three months is a significant blow for TPS. As captain, Friman brings leadership that the squad will need to replace temporarily, while his absence reduces the club’s defensive depth and experience. His 1+1 from three games shows he had contributed offensively at the start of the season, and TPS will need to adjust its defensive rotation through the early months of the campaign.

Veli-Matti Savinainen’s projected October return offers a timely addition to the forward group after he missed the opening part of the season. TPS will hope he can quickly find his rhythm and help spread the offensive workload while Friman recovers.

Oliver Lauridsen also remains unavailable for four more games because of his suspension. With both defencemen absent, TPS will need contributions from its depth options.

Why It Matters

Friman’s absence and Lauridsen’s remaining suspension leave TPS with reduced defensive options for the coming weeks. Savinainen’s expected October return would restore a forward option, but TPS will still be without its captain for a substantial part of the early season. How the club manages its defensive rotation during that period will be an important storyline.

Liiga coaches on coping with the ‘superseason’: routine, experience and calm leadership

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Liiga head coaches say the 2026-27 season – widely discussed as a “superseason” because three bottom teams will be dropped into a new lower B-series for 2027-28 – will test teams’ mental resilience and coaching. HPK head coach Mikko Manner warned: “At least 8-10 teams will be in a small crisis at some point.” Coaches including Sami Tervonen, Lauri Mikkola, Petri Matikainen and Jyrki Aho emphasised calm leadership, adherence to a pre-agreed plan, strong daily routines and the value of experience in managing exceptional pressure.

Key Facts

  • The 2026-27 Liiga season is widely described in Finland as a ” superkausi” (superseason) because of the upcoming league reform that will see three teams relegated to the lower B-series for 2027-28.
  • HPK head coach Mikko Manner said:” At least 8-10 teams will be in a small crisis at some point.”
  • KalPa head coach Sami Tervonen, in his second season as head coach after serving as an assistant on a Finnish championship team, warned that behaviour may change with a team’s standing and underlined the need to keep perspective.
  • Sport head coach Lauri Mikkola urged trusting the agreed plan and avoiding panic-driven changes to team identity.
  • JYP head coach Petri Matikainen said making major changes out of fear is a sign of fear and advised against radically changing a team’s game.
  • Kiekko-Espoo coach Jyrki Aho highlighted that modern players expect more understanding from coaches and that knowing players as people aids pressure management.
  • Oulun Kärpät coach Petri Karjalainen and Lukko coach Tomi Lämsä stressed the importance of a close support group in the coaching box and the stabilising effect of daily routines.
  • Ässät coach Jarno Pikkarainen recommended cultivating ” awareness” to regulate behaviour under pressure and to prevent pressure from taking over.
  • Tappara coach Kari Jalonen noted elite players often display the ability to switch off from the game appropriately and then re-engage when required.
  • Multiple coaches said experience in the roster has been a deliberate recruitment focus, adding value during prolonged periods of pressure.
  • Many coaches argued that preparation – making the important things second nature – is crucial so players can rely on routine when pressure increases.

IHM Discussion

The coaches’ comments offer a consistent blueprint for handling an unusually intense season: preserve identity, prioritise controllables and protect daily routines. The Liiga restructuring – with three bottom teams set to drop into a new lower B-series for 2027-28 – raises the stakes and places added value on resisting short-term tinkering. Mikko Manner’s forecast that “at least 8-10 teams” will face some form of crisis underlines how widespread the psychological strain may be.

Lauri Mikkola and Petri Matikainen caution against reactive overhauls, while Sami Tervonen and Tomi Lämsä point to process and repetition as tools for managing pressure. There is also a clear human element: Jyrki Aho’s reminder that coaches must know players as people as well as athletes broadens the task beyond tactics. The coaches also highlight the value of experienced players and a close support network within the coaching staff during difficult spells. Liiga is preparing for an extended test of leadership and culture, not just tactics.

Why It Matters

The heightened relegation threat changes incentives across Liiga. Teams that panic and abandon their identity risk making reactive decisions during poor form, while a stable process, player understanding and agreed plans may help a group ride out difficult stretches. For clubs already dealing with financial challenges, relegation could carry serious consequences, adding weight to communication, routines and mental-load management alongside on-ice systems.

Mini Q&A

What do coaches mean by the 2026-27 season being a ” superseason”?

Coaches call it a ” superseason” because the league reform means three teams will be relegated to the lower B-series for 2027-28, raising the competitive and psychological stakes across the campaign.

Which coach warned that many teams will face crises?

HPK head coach Mikko Manner warned:” At least 8-10 teams will be in a small crisis at some point.”

What practical advice did coaches give for dealing with pressure?

Coaches advised trusting and sticking to the pre-agreed plan, maintaining daily routines, recruiting experience, understanding players as people, and keeping the coaching group close and communicative.

Are tactical overhauls recommended during difficult stretches?

No. Petri Matikainen and Lauri Mikkola cautioned against major, fear-driven changes to a team’s game plan.

How will the league reform affect the season’s importance?

Because three teams will be relegated into the B-series for 2027-28, the 2026-27 season carries elevated consequences, making mental resilience and consistent preparation especially significant.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching standpoint, the coaches’ consensus is textbook resilience building: control the controllables, repeat the processes and care for the people. When the environment intensifies, leaders must choose what to simplify – not what to multiply. That means clear routines, unambiguous roles and a communication rhythm that reduces noise. Practically, teams should rehearse pressure moments so responses become automatic; this preserves decision quality when emotion runs high. Recruiting experience and investing in the immediate support network in the coaching box are inexpensive ways to stabilise a group under stress.

What Comes Next

The Liiga reform announced in November 2025 takes effect from the 2027-28 season, with three bottom teams from 2026-27 set to drop into the new lower B-series.

IHM Final View

Liiga’s coaching ranks are publicly aligning around a simple, disciplined response to an unusually high-stakes season: preserve structure, emphasise routines and lean on experience and human understanding. That approach does not guarantee safety, but it is the most robust hedge against the psychological volatility the coaches expect to see across the league.

Lukko’s Danylo Trah’t sent off after collision with Setänen

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Lukko forward Danylo Trah’t collided with JYP goaltender Oskari Setänen while driving to the net from the end boards late in the match. The contact at 55:18 dislodged Setänen’s helmet and sent him to his knees. Trah’t received a 5+20-minute penalty for charging and was sent from the game. JYP also received a two-minute penalty after Jere Lassila jumped on Trah’t following the whistle. The contest ended in a 5-0 away win for JYP. Trah’t has appeared in four Liiga games this season.

Key Facts

  • Collision between Danylo Trah’t (Lukko) and Oskari Setänen (JYP) occurred at 55:18.
  • Setänen’s helmet came off and he fell to his knees as a result of the collision.
  • Danylo Trah’t received a 5+20-minute penalty for charging.
  • JYP’s Jere Lassila received a two-minute penalty after jumping on Trah’t following the whistle.
  • At 59:46 Lukko’s Alex Beaucage received a 2+2-minute penalty for cross-checking and roughing.
  • In the same altercation, JYP’s Väinö Liikonen and Reece Newkirk received two-minute penalties for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • The game finished as a 0-5 away victory for JYP.
  • Danylo Trah’t has played four Liiga games this season.

IHM Discussion

The collision came during a heated closing stretch. Trah’t drove to the net from the end boards and made contact with Setänen, whose helmet came off as he fell to his knees. The officials assessed Trah’t a major penalty and game misconduct for charging, while Lassila’s response after the whistle brought a further minor for JYP. Further penalties followed at 59:46 as the game reached its final minutes.

Why It Matters

The incident capped a difficult night for Lukko, who lost 5-0 away to JYP. For Trah’t, it came in only his fourth Liiga appearance of the season, while the late sequence also featured penalties for players on both teams.

Mini Q&A

What exactly happened to start the incident?

At 55:18 Danylo Trah’t drove to the net from the end boards and collided with JYP goaltender Oskari Setänen; Setänen’s helmet came off and he fell to his knees.

What penalties were assessed as a result?

Trah’t received a 5+20-minute penalty for charging. Lassila received a two-minute penalty after jumping on Trah’t following the whistle. Later, Beaucage received a 2+2-minute penalty for cross-checking and roughing, while Liikonen and Newkirk received two-minute penalties for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct.

What was the final score?

The match ended in a 0-5 away victory for JYP.

How many Liiga games has Trah’t played this season?

Danylo Trah’t has played four Liiga games this season.

Vaasan Sport to retire Erik Riska’s No. 13 on 14 November

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Vaasan Sport will retire the number of club stalwart Erik Riska when the team hosts HPK on 14 November. The club announced during the first commercial break of Wednesday’s game that Riska’s No. 13 will be withdrawn from use for that home fixture. Riska, who ended his playing career in spring 2024, spent Sport’s entire current Liiga era with the club and holds the team record for appearances with 699 games. The 37-year-old also played 51 games for Lukko in the 2013-14 season. At Sport, Riska was part of the captaincy group in 11 seasons, serving as captain for seven and alternate captain for four.

Key Facts

  • Vaasan Sport will retire Erik Riska’s No. 13 on 14 November in the home game against HPK.
  • The club announced the number retirement during the first commercial break of Wednesday’s game.
  • Erik Riska retired from playing in spring 2024.
  • Riska played 699 games for Sport, the most in the club’s history.
  • He also played 51 games for Lukko in the 2013-14 season.
  • Riska is 37 years old and was in Sport’s leadership group for 11 seasons (captain seven seasons, alternate captain four seasons).
  • Sport has previously retired the numbers of Tomi Väkelä (27) and Håkan Hjerpe (29). Sami Laaksoharju’s No. 14 has been removed from use in his memory.

IHM Discussion

Retiring a player’s number is one of the clearest gestures a club can make to acknowledge sustained contribution. The decision to withdraw Erik Riska’s No. 13 recognises both longevity and leadership: he is Sport’s all-time appearance leader and was part of the club’s captaincy group for 11 seasons. Staging the tribute at a home game gives supporters an opportunity to recognise a player whose career was closely tied to Sport’s current Liiga era.

Why It Matters

The move cements Riska’s place in Sport’s history and gives supporters a focal point to celebrate his contribution across the club’s current Liiga era. For younger players and fans, it is a tangible reminder of long-term commitment and leadership within one organisation.

Mini Q&A

When will Erik Riska’s number be retired?

Riska’s No. 13 will be retired on 14 November during Vaasan Sport’s home game against HPK.

Which number is being retired?

Vaasan Sport will retire number 13.

When did Erik Riska retire from playing?

Erik Riska ended his playing career in spring 2024.

How many games did Riska play for Sport?

Riska played 699 games for Vaasan Sport, the most in the club’s history.

Did Riska play for any other Liiga club?

Yes. Riska played 51 games for Lukko in the 2013-14 season.

What was Riska’s role in the team?

Riska was in Sport’s captaincy group for 11 seasons, serving as captain for seven seasons and as an alternate captain for four.

What Comes Next

Sport will retire Riska’s No. 13 during its home game against HPK on 14 November.

Italian – Dominican defenceman debuts as HPK host Ilves

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Liiga has a single fixture on Tuesday as HPK host Ilves, with the game scheduled to begin at 18.30. Both sides make small line-up changes: Kim Saarinen starts in goal for HPK while Mantas Armalis gets the nod for Ilves. Nineteen-year-old Gabriel Nitz, a 194 cm defenceman with Italian and Dominican Republic citizenship who joined HPK from Italy in the summer, will make his Liiga debut as HPK’s seventh defenceman. Ilves will dress eight defencemen, with 21-year-old Arttu Niskanen included for the visit to Hämeenlinna.

Key Facts

  • One Liiga match is scheduled on Tuesday: HPK vs Ilves at 18.30.
  • HPK start Kim Saarinen in goal.
  • Ilves start Mantas Armalis in goal.
  • Saarinen and Armalis were backup goaltenders in Friday’s round of games.
  • HPK promotes 19-year-old Gabriel Nitz as a seventh defenceman.
  • Gabriel Nitz holds citizenship of Italy and the Dominican Republic.
  • Nitz is 194 cm tall and joined HPK in the summer from Italy.
  • Ilves will play with eight defencemen, and 21-year-old Arttu Niskanen is included in the squad for the trip to Hämeenlinna.
  • After Tuesday’s game Liiga will have games on Wednesday, then the league pauses until next Tuesday.

IHM Discussion

Tuesday’s match offers an early look at how both clubs are managing their goaltenders. Each side has changed its starter from Friday, with Saarinen returning for HPK and Armalis taking the crease for Ilves.

Nitz’s Liiga debut as a seventh defenceman gives HPK another option on the blue line. The 194 cm teenager joined from Italy in the summer. Ilves, meanwhile, will dress eight defencemen, keeping Niskanen available in Hämeenlinna.

Why It Matters

The goaltending changes and defensive additions are the main match-day adjustments in Liiga’s only Tuesday fixture. Nitz’s debut is a notable early milestone for the young HPK defenceman, while Ilves’ eight-defenceman alignment brings Niskanen into the group for the trip to Hämeenlinna.

Mini Q&A

Who are the starting goaltenders for Tuesday’s game?

Kim Saarinen starts in goal for HPK and Mantas Armalis starts for Ilves.

When and where is the game scheduled?

The single Liiga match is on Tuesday with HPK hosting Ilves and puck drop set for 18.30.

Who is Gabriel Nitz?

Gabriel Nitz is a 19-year-old, 194-cm defenceman who holds Italian and Dominican Republic citizenship and joined HPK from Italy in the summer; he is listed as HPK’s seventh defenceman.

How many games had each team played before this match?

Both HPK and Ilves had played two games before the Tuesday fixture.

Is Arttu Niskanen included in the Ilves travelling squad?

Yes. Ilves are playing with eight defencemen and 21-year-old Arttu Niskanen is with the team in Hämeenlinna.

What Comes Next

Reportedly, Liiga continues with games on Wednesday after Tuesday’s fixture; following that round the league enters a break that lasts until next Tuesday. Those upcoming matchdays will shape short-term selection decisions for both clubs.

Ässät confirm Juhola injury absence; Boelius out until further notice

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Ässät announced on Monday that forward Patrik Juhola has been added to the club’s injured list. The club’s statement described Juhola as the newest – and already the ninth – injured team member and said he will be sidelined for an estimated 3-4 weeks. Ässät also updated the status of defenceman Lasse Boelius: his sick leave, previously monitored day-to-day, is now described as being until further notice. The club reported that Juhola has played two games this season without a point and that Boelius has not yet appeared in any match.

Key Facts

  • Ässät announced that forward Patrik Juhola is the newest member of the club’s injured list and, in the club’s words, already the ninth member.
  • Ässät’s statement gives Juhola an estimated absence of 3-4 weeks.
  • Defenceman Lasse Boelius’s absence was previously being monitored day-to-day; the club now describes his sick leave as until further notice.
  • Patrik Juhola has played two games this season and has no points.
  • Lasse Boelius has not yet played any games this season.
  • Ässät’s other injured-list members named in the club statement are: Peter Tiivola (fitness monitored day-to-day), Axel Skinnari (out an estimated 1-2 weeks), Eemeli Heinilä (estimated 4-6 weeks), Nestor Noiva (estimated 5-7 weeks), Feetu Knihti (estimated 6-8 weeks), Valtteri Lipiäinen (estimated 7-8 weeks) and Miro Karjalainen (out until further notice).

IHM Discussion

Ässät’s latest update maps a sizeable cluster of absences across the roster early in the season. The club’s own timeline estimates for absences range from day-to-day monitoring to multi-week recoveries, and two players are now listed as unavailable until further notice. The squad’s short-term availability will be constrained while these periods last.

Why It Matters

A concentration of absences reduces Ässät’s immediate options and will test the club’s depth. With several players facing multi-week absences, availability will be a key factor for Ässät in the coming weeks.

Mini Q&A

How long will Patrik Juhola be out?

Ässät’s statement estimates Juhola will be sidelined for approximately 3-4 weeks.

What is Lasse Boelius’s status?

Boelius’s absence was formerly monitored day-to-day; the club now describes his sick leave as until further notice.

How many games has Juhola played this season?

The club reports Juhola has appeared in two games this season and has registered no points.

How many players are on Ässät’s injured list?

Ässät described Juhola as the ninth player on the club’s injured list.

Have any other players been given timelines?

Yes. The statement gives estimated absence ranges for several players: Axel Skinnari (1-2 weeks), Eemeli Heinilä (4-6 weeks), Nestor Noiva (5-7 weeks), Feetu Knihti (6-8 weeks), Valtteri Lipiäinen (7-8 weeks). Peter Tiivola’s fitness is being monitored day-to-day, and Miro Karjalainen is listed as out until further notice.

Why Liiga is taking an early break – Jussi Markkanen explains

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

SM-liiga’s much-discussed ‘super season’, which began only a week ago, will already break for almost a week because the coming weekend is reserved for Champions Hockey League matches. After Wednesday’s big round, Liiga games will not resume until next Tuesday.

Key Facts

  • The SM-liiga season began a week before the interview and will take an almost week-long pause this week.
  • After Wednesday’s big round, Liiga matches will restart next Tuesday.
  • Liiga sports director Jussi Markkanen answered questions about the schedule.
  • The upcoming weekend is reserved for CHL matches under an agreement between Liiga and the CHL.
  • The CHL weekend pauses all leagues; Liiga is most affected because other leagues begin next week.
  • Liiga was granted an exception to play during the CHL’s first weekend because of this season’s special circumstances and high game count.
  • Liiga is committed to the CHL and regards the existing agreement as appropriate; Markkanen said he does not see a need for further discussion on how CHL matches should be played.
  • Liiga expects the total number of matches to fall in future seasons; the league began the regular season earlier (1 September) and will end the regular season slightly later (23 March) so player workloads remain essentially unchanged from previous years.
  • Markkanen described the schedule-making task as a normal, annual puzzle and noted pressures such as new arenas hosting many other events and the Jyväskylä arena renovation.

IHM Discussion

The interruption so early in the campaign is a scheduling consequence of Liiga’s commitment to the CHL and the practical demands of fitting a longer, busier season into a crowded calendar. Markkanen presents the pause as an element of a negotiated calendar rather than a fault line: Liiga accepted the CHL agreement and even obtained a one-off exemption to play during CHL’s opening weekend. That exception underlines the flexibility applied this year to accommodate what the league calls a ‘special’ season with an elevated number of fixtures.

Markkanen’s emphasis on starting earlier (1 September) and finishing the regular season later (23 March) is an explicit attempt to keep individual player loads steady despite the expanded overall programme. He frames the calendar as a balancing act: by moving the envelope of the season outward, the league aims to avoid increasing per-player game counts versus prior years. At the same time, practical constraints complicate scheduling. New arenas bring event competition, and the renovation at Jyväskylä’s rink imposes local pressures that the league has had to factor in.

Why It Matters

The pause affects teams’ competitive rhythms and preparation plans. For clubs with CHL commitments, the weekend is devoted to continental fixtures, shaping training and travel arrangements. The break also interrupts a short run of league fixtures. Markkanen insists this is a planned element of the season structure, not a symptom of poor scheduling, and that the arrangement should not increase player workload once the full schedule is complete. Fans and clubs will still be watching how the timing works in practice, particularly with arenas hosting competing events and local infrastructure projects adding pressure to the calendar.

Mini Q&A

Why does Liiga pause for almost a week so early in the season?

The coming weekend is reserved for Champions Hockey League (CHL) matches under an agreement between Liiga and the CHL, so the leagues pause for that weekend, Markkanen said.

How could Liiga play last week while the CHL was already running?

Liiga negotiated an exception to play during the CHL’s first weekend because this is a special season with a large number of games, Markkanen said.

Will this season increase player workload?

No; Markkanen said the league started earlier (1 September) and will finish the regular season a bit later (23 March) so player load should remain essentially identical to previous years.

Is Liiga considering changing how CHL matches are scheduled?

Markkanen said Liiga is committed to the CHL and regards the existing agreement as good; he did not see a need for further discussion on how CHL matches should be played.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective, an early break in the league calendar requires a clear plan. Teams can use the time to manage recovery and revisit details, but they must also retain enough intensity to return sharp for the next league round. Practice loads should reflect each group’s recent schedule, with CHL travel and fixtures adding a further consideration for the clubs involved.

What Comes Next

After Wednesday’s scheduled round of matches, SM-liiga’s domestic games will pause for the CHL weekend and resume the following Tuesday. The league began the regular season on 1 September and plans for the regular season to finish on 23 March, measures Markkanen says will keep individual player workloads comparable to previous seasons.

IHM Final View

Liiga’s short, early pause is a direct outcome of its CHL commitment and the practicalities of fitting an expanded season into busy arenas’ calendars. Jussi Markkanen presents the arrangement as negotiated and deliberate: an exception was secured for the CHL’s opening weekend, the season window has been widened to protect player load, and the league views the schedule as a routine but complex annual puzzle. The real test will be how teams manage the stop-start rhythm in practice, and whether the stretched calendar achieves the intended effect of preserving player welfare while fulfilling continental commitments.

Wernblom tops Liiga scoring after seven-point start for TPS

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Wernblom produced four points (1+3) in TPS’s 5-1 victory over HIFK, bringing his total to seven points from the opening two rounds of Liiga and placing him atop the league’s scoring chart. The 26-year-old forward, who moved to TPS from Malmö during the 2023/24 season, has continued the productive form he showed last term.

Key Facts

  • Wernblom had one goal and three assists when TPS beat HIFK 5-1 in Liiga’s second round.
  • Wernblom has seven points from the two opening matches and leads Liiga’s scoring race.
  • In the season opener against last season’s finalists KooKoo, Wernblom contributed to a 4-2 win (as part of his two-game start).
  • The 26-year-old moved to TPS from Malmö during the 2023/24 season and has been productive since arriving in Åbo (Turku).
  • Last season Wernblom recorded 49 points in 57 Liiga games, making him the second-highest scoring Swede in the league.
  • Wernblom’s 24 goals last season were the most by any Swedish player and placed him eighth in the league’s overall goal scoring list.
  • Lars Bryggman, a linemate and fellow Swede, has also started strongly with six points (4+2) in two games after leaving Skellefteå following the SM gold in spring.
  • Bryggman’s four goals through two games put him level for the league’s goal-scoring lead alongside HPK forward Sami Päivärinta.

IHM Discussion

TPS have received immediate offensive returns from Wernblom and Lars Bryggman. Wernblom’s four-point night against HIFK stood out for its balance of scoring and playmaking: one goal and three assists underlined his ability to create and finish. His seven points in two games follow a productive season in which he recorded 49 points in 57 Liiga appearances.

Bryggman has added six points (4+2) in two games after joining TPS from Skellefteå. He shares the early goal-scoring lead with HPK forward Sami Päivärinta.

Why It Matters

An electric start from key forwards gives TPS early momentum in the Liiga standings and raises expectations for their attacking production. Wernblom leading the points race after two rounds signals he is a central figure in TPS’s offence; Bryggman’s scoring punch adds depth and a secondary threat that opponents must respect. For the players themselves, continuing this form would reaffirm last season’s numbers and strengthen TPS’s prospects in the early weeks of the campaign.

Mini Q&A

How many points does Wernblom have after two Liiga games?

Wernblom has seven points from his first two Liiga games (one goal and three assists in the second game).

What was the score when TPS beat HIFK?

TPS defeated HIFK 5-1 in the match where Wernblom recorded a goal and three assists.

Where did Wernblom move from and when?

Wernblom moved to TPS from Malmö during the 2023/24 season.

How did Wernblom perform last season?

Last season he had 49 points in 57 Liiga games, and his 24 goals were the most by any Swedish player in the league, placing him eighth overall in goal scoring.

Which teammate is also off to a fast start and what are his numbers?

Lars Bryggman has produced six points (four goals and two assists) in TPS’s two opening matches and is tied for the goal-scoring lead with HPK’s Sami Päivärinta.