Liiga Playoffs: KooKoo and Tappara Cruise into Semis

KooKoo cruise into Liiga semis

KooKoo & Tappara secure Liiga semi-final spots with dominant wins, while SaiPa, Assat, Ilves & KalPa battles tied.

Liiga playoffs update, KooKoo, Tappara advance; other quarters tied 2-2...

Top seeds Tappara and KooKoo advanced to the Liiga playoff semis, wrapping up 4-1 series wins. Tappara beat Hameenlinna at home, while KooKoo dominated Pelicans.

KooKoo bounced back from a game one OT loss, winning four straight by at least three goals. Their 4-1 series win sets up a semi-final showdown.

Pelicans' troubles began early, Johannes Johannesen getting an interference call. KooKoo capitalized on the powerplay, Jimi Suomi scoring in the 7th minute.

KooKoo's lead grew when Vilmos Gallo and Ville Puhakka combined for a slick goal, making it 2-0 in the 13th minute. The game looked set for a comfortable KooKoo win.

KooKoo failed to capitalize in the second period, and Pelicans struck back early in the third. Niklas Virtanen's wild shot sneaked in, cutting the lead to 2-1.

KooKoo responded swiftly, though. Joonas Oden's pass found Vilmos Gallo, and Marcus Davidsson pounced on the rebound after Gallo's shot hit the post, restoring KooKoo's two-goal lead.

Pelicans' hopes died in the final minute, Oden securing a 4-1 KooKoo win. He won possession, sent the puck down the ice, and it trickled into the empty net, sealing the series 4-1.

Tappara's 4-1 series win over Hameenlinna seemed comfortable, but the one-goal margins in four games told a different story. 12th-seed Hameenlinna pushed Tappara hard, making it a tense series despite the final scoreline.

Tappara's win was well-deserved, outshooting HPK 46-22. The decisive goal came midway through the second period, Juuso Nykanen's shot sparking a scramble in front of the net.

Emil Sylvegard poked the puck over the line amidst the chaos, giving Tappara the lead. The goal stood, and Tappara held on for the win.

🚨 No olihan se maali 🚨
Emil Sylvegård ja Juuso Nykänen vievät Tapparan 1–0-johtoon 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tBVwC7gFYr

— Tappara Tampere (@Tapparaofficial) April 7, 2026

The officials checked the goal thoroughly, looking for interference and puck placement. After a lengthy review, they ruled it a goal.

HPK's powerplays failed to yield, and they conceded three more in the third. Christian Heljanko's 16 saves and solid defense sealed Tappara's win, ending HPK's challenge.

The other quarterfinals are tied 2-2, so Tappara and KooKoo wait. SaiPa vs Assat and Ilves vs KalPa will decide the semis, with winners set to face either Tappara or KooKoo on or after April 11th.