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Finland´s SM-Liiga Playoff Preview

by Ivo Jaschick
Hockeytalk.biz

8 teams qualify for Finland’s Elite League (SM-Liiga) playoffs. As the postseason begins in Finland, let’s take a look at the league’s teams and how they rank.

All players of the championship club receive a gold medal, second place, a silver and the winners of both semi final series, bronze.

Qualified for Playoffs 1-6

1. Karpat Oulu

- The reigning champion and northernmost SM-Liiga hockey town is Karpat Oulu. With Janne Pesonen, Hannes Hyvonen & Michal Bros, the team has three players on the top 10 scorers’ list. On defense, they built a solid foundation with with the help of goalie Tuomas Tarkki (best GAA – 2.01) and the hiring of former NHL players Mikko Lehtonen (Nashville Predators) & Jere Karalahti (LA. & Nashville). Karalahti had drug problems while in the NHL and was fired from Oulu after his arrest on charges of involvement in drug trafficking. Despite the loss, Oulu is the top team, sitting number one in the standings at season’s end and with the postseason looming, Oulu is hot on the trail of their next championship.

2. The Espoo Blues

Nobody expected Espoo to be as good as they are. The league’s second place team features Saskatoon-born Ryan Keller, their top scorer. The secret of their success is team spirit and an excellent goalkeeper. Austrian Bernd Bruckler is doing a very good job in the nets (GAA 2.02) and is an important part of the team.

3. Jokerit Helsinki

Jokerit was expected to be the biggest rival for Karpat in the fight for the Finish hockey crown.

Goaltender Jussi Markkanen jumped from the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers this season and has been one of the Finnish League’s top goalies. Also jumping from the “N” to Europe is former Vancouver Canuck center Tommi Santala. With Ville Leino, Jokerit has the top scorer while Santala is fifth in scoring and Tim Stapelton, fourth. 38 year-old Petri Varis (NHL, IHL, Germany, Switzerland, 11th season with Jokerit) is becoming a world traveller after many North American and European stops throughout his career and is the most experienced player on this team.

4. Tappara

Tappara is the more successful of two teams located in Tampere (Ilves).

Timo Koskela (8th in league scoring) is the most effective forward followed by Janne Ojanen (10th). Mika Lehto provides support in the net. After a 15-year draught, they became champion in 2003.

5. Jyvaskyla

Jyvaskyla is located in Central Finland and already won two silver (´89,´92) and one (´93) bronze medal but hasn´t been very successful since then. This year they have qualified for the postseason.

With a victory over the still reigning champ in February they are showing their efficient strength.

Jarko Immonen, with 55 points the most dangerous forward followed by Tuomas Pihlman with 44 points. Former national goalie Sinuhe Wallinheimo (who interestingly wears the number zero on his back) has the second best save percentage in the league – 92.83 %. With him between the pipes and concentrated performances JYP could claim new heights.

6. Lahti Pelicans

The Lahti Pelicans have become a real candidate in the run for the championship. Matias Loppi is leading the club´s scorer with 18 goals and 55 points followed by Toni Koivunen (4-36-40) followed by Marko Jantunen (18-21-39). Antii Niemi has stopped 92.69 % of all Pucks coming onto his goal. Since the SM-Liiga was founded in 1975 the Pelicans have never won a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal.

Qualified for Pre-Playoffs 7-10

7. Helsinki IFK

Helsinki IFK has to go through the pre playoffs – if nothing unexpected happens. With Jan Lundell, IFK has a good goalie and at 25 years of age, American-born Ryan Vesce, with 25 goals and 17 assists, is one of the best scorers (ranked 13th) in the league. They had a bad start to the season and now they are expected to start a comeback. There are many who say that this seventh-place club is a favourite for the title.

8. Ilves Tampere

At number eight, Ilves Tampere has to play the pre playoffs. Canadian Mike Bishai is the team’s top scorer with 12 goals and 36 points. The second North American on the club is ex-NHLer Cameron Mann (Boston, Nashville) who also spent the last four years in Ingolstadt, Germany.

9. Lukko Rauma

Lukko Rauma follows 14 points behind eighth place Ilves. Petri Vahanen is one of the league´s best goalies but that´s not enough. On defense, Canadians Mike Siklenka and Douglas O´Brien lead the way. Their fellow countrymen Shayne Toporowski & Greg Jacina pitch in.

10. TPS Turku

TPS Turku was the first champ of the SM-Liiga in ´76. They won the title on ten occasions but this year have been a disappointment. Their top scorer, ranking 22nd overall, is Teemu Laine with 15 goals and 24 assists. Americans Lee Sweatt & David Lundbohm are helping the offense. Aki-Petteri Berg returned home from the NHL (606 games + 54 playoffs). Goalie Juha Kuokkanen is 15th in the league with 89.73 save percentage and a 2.91 GAA.

These 10 teams are playing for the championship in the postseason. The first six are set and the last four have to fight for two empty playoff spots.

The last four clubs KalPa Kuopio, Saipa Lapeenranta, Assat Pori & Hameenlinna HPK can book their vacation after the last regular season game on March 4th after this disappointing season {for them}. In 2006 (only two years ago) Hameenlinna & Pori had been champion & vice.

Standings and total points after the regular season (56 games):

1. Karpat 121

2. Blues 115

3. Jokerit 105

4. Tappara 104

5. JYP 101

6. Pelicans 98

7. HIFK 97

8. Ilves 90

9. Lukko 68

10. TPS 67

11. SaiPa 62

12. HPK 56

13. KalPa 52

14. Assat 40

Playoff Quarterfinals 2008:

HIFK & TPS are playing out who will be the opponent of Oulu. The winner of the fight between Ilves Tampere & Lukko will play the Espoo Blues:

Karpat Oulu (1.) - HIFK/TPS (7./10.)

Espoo Blues (2.) - Ilves/Lukko (8./9.)

Jokerit Helsinki (3.) - Pelicans (6.)

Tappara (4.) - JYP (5.)

TOP

Copyright 2008 Western Hockey Network

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2007-08

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