Liiga Finals: Tappara Bounce Back with Game 3 Victory
Christian Heljanko made 26 saves for the shutout as Tappara held firm defensively.
Game four is set for May 8 in Kouvola, with game five back in Tampere on May 9...
Tappara scored two goals for the third straight game in the 2026 Liiga finals, but this time it was enough. They shut out KooKoo 2-0 to cut the Kouvola team’s series lead to 2-1 and leave the final wide open again.
KooKoo had started the series strongly with a 4-2 road win, then followed it up with a 3-2 home victory in game two. On their return to Tampere, though, they ran into a tougher, more resolute Tappara side.
The opening period was quiet, with both teams managing five shots each, until the 17th minute brought a fortuitous breakthrough. Joni Tuulola slid the puck to Kasper Simontaival, whose shot looked set to miss but took a deflection off Oiva Keskinen and found the net. Keskinen had no idea it had hit him.
Tappara’s discipline proved decisive, as they didn’t give up a single power play all game. KooKoo did have chances with the man advantage after Jesper Ahlroth was called for slashing shortly after the first goal and Eetu Randelin was penalized for tripping in the second period, but the hosts couldn’t capitalize on either.
KooKoo pushed for an equalizer in the second period and outshot Tappara 9-3, but couldn’t get past Christian Heljanko. The Tappara goalie denied several good opportunities, including chances for Vilmos Gallo and Robert Rooba, to keep his shutout intact.
Heljanko stopped another 12 shots in the third period to finish with a 26-save shutout. A high-sticking penalty on Oskari Luoto with six minutes left didn’t help KooKoo’s chances late in the game.
Back at full strength, Tappara sealed it with a spectacular empty-netter. Jyrki Jokipakka launched the puck from behind his own net, sailing it over everyone before it dropped in to make it 2-0.
The win puts Tappara on the board and sets up game five at Nokia Arena on May 9. Before that, the series heads to Kouvola for game four on May 8.
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