Liiga Finals Game 7: Tappara Force Decider with Win in Kouvola

Game 7 decider confirmed as Tappara edge KooKoo in Liiga Finals

Tappara fight back to set up a winner-takes-all Game 7 against KooKoo. Either team can make history in the Liiga Finals decider.

Christian Heljanko stood tall as Tappara held off KooKoo 2-1. The Liiga title will be decided Wednesday in Tampere...

The 2025/26 Liiga Finals will go to a winner-takes-all Game 7 on Wednesday 13th May. Tappara forced it by beating KooKoo 2-1 in Kouvola to tie the series at 3-3.

KooKoo’s 2-1 win in Tampere on 9th May put them one victory from a first-ever Liiga championship, with the chance to clinch it in front of their home fans in Kouvola. A loss would hand Tappara home ice for the decisive game.

Tappara gave KooKoo an opening in the 14th minute when Joni Tuulola was called for tripping. The visitors killed the penalty, but were caught out just five seconds after returning to full strength. Jimi Suomi fed Ville Puhakka, who blasted a shot from the blue line through traffic and into the net.

🚨 Ville Puhakka räjäyttää Lumon Areenan täyteen huutoon! 💥

📺 @MTVUrheilu | #Liiga pic.twitter.com/1cPI7LSZ1J

— Liiga (@smliiga) May 11, 2026

With another championship slipping away, Tappara responded with intensity in the second period and needed less than three minutes to draw level. Joachim Blichfeld took Tuulola’s pass across the blue line, held off until the defense moved, then fired a clinical finish past the goalie.

A slashing penalty on Daniel Brickley shortly after threatened to stall Tappara’s momentum, but they killed off the power play again. Once back at full strength, they kept pushing and went ahead just past the midway point. 

The two Tuulolas linked up for the go-ahead goal. Joni set up Eetu, who skated behind the net and sent it out front for Aapeli Rasanen to put Tappara in front.

🚨 Eetu Tuulola passaa, Aapeli Räsänen naputtaa @Tapparaofficial:in johtoon! 💪

📺 @MTVUrheilu | #Liiga pic.twitter.com/2jpxxcxE5J

— Liiga (@smliiga) May 11, 2026

An interference call on Ossi-Petteri Jaakola eight minutes into the third period did nothing to spark a KooKoo rally. Despite outshooting Tappara 12-2 in the final period, the home team couldn’t beat Christian Heljanko, and he shut the door to seal a 2-1 win for the visitors.

Attention now shifts to Nokia Arena in two days. Either Tappara will claim the Kanada-malja for a 21st time, or KooKoo will capture their first Finnish championship.