KooKoo Regroups to Beat Tappara 2-1, Take 3-2 Liiga Finals Lead

Randelin’s 30 saves help KooKoo edge Tappara, go up 3-2 in finals

Eetu Randelin made 13 saves in the third period as KooKoo held off Tappara 2-1 on the road and now need one win to claim the Liiga title.

After falling behind on a Tappara power-play goal, KooKoo scored twice in four minutes and held on for a 2-1 road win to lead the finals 3-2...

With less than 24 hours to bounce back from Friday’s marathon seven-period Game 4, KooKoo regrouped faster and took Game 5 2-1 on the road against Tappara. The win puts them up 3-2 in the Liiga Finals, one victory away from claiming the Kanada-malja for the first time.

The result stands out even more considering KooKoo had their 2-0 series lead erased after giving up the winner in the 130th minute of Game 4. Tappara had just as little rest, but came into Game 5 with momentum and home-ice advantage as the top seed.

The opening period stayed scoreless but closed with a turning point that set Tappara up to use their home advantage. KooKoo killed off an early tripping penalty on Joseph Berger, only to lose Vilmos Gallo to a high-sticking call in the final minute.

That gave Tappara a power play to start the second, and this time they converted. Julius Mattila fed Joachim Blichfeld, who blasted a shot past Eetu Randelin that the goalie had no chance to stop.

Once back at even strength, KooKoo rediscovered the form that earned them the first two wins of the series, netting two goals in under four minutes. Just past the midway point, Kim Nousiainen played a quick give-and-go with Samuel Valkeejarvi and fired through traffic to tie the game.

🚨 Mitä tekee Kouvolan susi?! 🐺🔥

KooKoo kääntää pelin Nokia Arenassa! 💪

📺 @MTVUrheilu | #Liiga pic.twitter.com/mRCsE8CTEq

— Liiga (@smliiga) May 9, 2026

Kouvola’s side flipped the game when Ossi-Petteri Jaakola sent a slick reverse pass at the blue line to Miska Siikonen. Siikonen weaved through the defense and his shot had just enough on it to beat Christian Heljanko.

In the third, Tampere poured on the pressure, but KooKoo’s defense stood tall with nine blocks, and Eetu Randelin delivered a match-winning performance. He stopped 13 shots in the final 20 minutes to finish with 30 saves.

That was enough for KooKoo to hold on for the 2-1 win, their second victory in Tampere this series. They now take a 3-2 lead back to Kouvola for Game 6 on Monday, May 11, with a chance to clinch Finland’s championship for the first time.