Liiga Final: KooKoo Edge Tappara Again to Move Two Wins From Liiga Title

KooKoo hold off late Tappara Push to go 2-0 up in Liiga Finals

Robert Rooba, Miettinen, and Meskanen scored for KooKoo in a back-and-forth final that stayed tight to the buzzer.

After winning Game 1 4-2 in Tampere, KooKoo now lead the best-of-seven series heading back to Tampere on May 6...

KooKoo are 2-0 up in the 2026 Liiga finals following a 3-2 win over top-seeded Tappara in game two of the best-of-seven series.

After taking game one 4-2 in Tampere, KooKoo faced a Tappara side aiming to hit back on home ice in Kouvola. The hosts killed off an early penalty for slashing by Samuel Valkeejarvi, then struck on their first power play to take the lead.

KooKoo nappaa toisen kiinnityksen mestaruuteen Sumulaakson trilleristä!! 🔥#Liiga pic.twitter.com/1GT5BGT4Wr

— Liiga (@smliiga) May 4, 2026

Joachim Blichfeld received an interference penalty, and 12 minutes into the game Veeti Miettinen’s shot was stopped, but Miska Siikonen sent the rebound to Robert Rooba who finished it off.

Tappara steadied themselves at the start of the second period and tied it up three minutes in when Julius Mattila and Henrik Haapala combined behind the net and fed Kasper Simontaival for a goal from in front.

The tie didn’t hold for long, as just over five minutes later Miettinen took a pass on the left wing and beat the goalie from a tight angle to put KooKoo back in front.

Tappara responded once more, leveling with a little over two minutes left in the second when Kristian Tanus drove the puck in front, causing a scramble where Joni Tuulola deflected it off Tanus and into the net.

Tappara couldn’t prevent KooKoo from regaining the lead for a third time. Seven minutes into the third period, Miettinen sent the puck back to Jimi Suomi after a face-off, and Suomi laid it off to Ville Meskanen, whose long-range shot rocketed into the net.

🚨 Voi veljet, mikä PAUKKU! 💥

Ville Meskanen lataa KooKoon takaisin edelle 💪

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

— Liiga (@smliiga) May 4, 2026

KooKoo gave up a late power play, but Tappara couldn’t capitalize. Desperate defending in the final seconds kept the visitors out, and KooKoo held on for a 3-2 win. The result puts them 2-0 up in the series, which moves back to Tampere for Game 3 on May 6.