Wikipedia

2024 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs

The 2024 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs or the 2024 Naisten Liiga playoffs (Finnish: Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit 2024) is the postseason tournament of the 2023–24 season of the Naisten Liiga. The tournament began on 23 February and the Aurora Borealis Cup was awarded to HIFK Helsinki on 21 March 2024.

2024 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs
Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit 2024 (Finnish)
2024 Naisten Liiga playoffs
Tournament details
Dates23 February 2024 (2024-02-23)–21 March 2024 (2024-03-21)
FormatBest-of-five
Teams8
Defending championsHIFK Helsinki
Final positions
ChampionsHIFK Helsinki (2nd title)
Runner-upKiekko-Espoo
Third placeKalPa Kuopio
Fourth placeHPK Hämeenlinna
Tournament statistics
Games played25
Goals scored124 (4.96 per game)
Attendance5,040 (202 per game)
Scoring leader(s)Emma Nuutinen (15)
MVPClara Rozier
← 2023
2025 →

HIFK were the reigning Aurora Borealis Cup champions after winning the 2023 Naisten Liiga playoffs. At the conclusion of the 2023–24 regular season, Kiekko-Espoo and HIFK were favorites for the 2024 Aurora Borealis Cup finals.

Bracket edit

As of 21 March 2024[1]
Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
                     
1 Kiekko-Espoo 7 8 5 – 3
8 TPS Turku 0 1 2 – 0
Kiekko-Espoo 5 4 2 – 3
KalPa Kuopio 3 0 1 – 0
4 KalPa Kuopio 2 2 2 2 3
5 Ilves Tampere 1 3 0 1 1
  Kiekko-Espoo 3 0 2 2 1
  HIFK Helsinki 0 2 4 3 3
2 HIFK Helsinki 7 3 4 – 3
7 Kärpät Oulu 2 1 2 – 0
HIFK Helsinki 0 5 5 4 3 Bronze medal game
HPK Hämeenlinna 1 4 0 1 1
3 HPK Hämeenlinna 2 3 5 – 3   KalPa Kuopio 3
6 Team Kuortane 1 0 1 – 0 4 HPK Hämeenlinna 1

Season reviews edit

HIFK edit

HIFK Helsinki placed second in the regular season, despite having a greater number of games won than first place Kiekko-Espoo, as the result of a six point deduction issued by the disciplinary committee of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. The penalty was incurred after it was identified that necessary international transfer documents had not been submitted ahead of the 2022–23 Naisten Liiga season for Michaela Pejzlová.[2][3][4] Though the team finished in second place, HIFK players topped the league charts in nearly every major metric. Czech centre Michaela Pejzlová won the Marianne Ihalainen Award as the league point leader for the second consecutive season, with 71 points in 24 games, and she also led all players in assists (41).[5]

Pejzlová was not the team's only offensive powerhouse, as four of the league's top-five point leaders were HIFK players.

HPK edit

HPK Hämeenlinna finished the season in third place after amassing 66 points and earning a goal difference of +52. The team achieved their best end-of-season rank in eight seasons as the result of excellent goaltending and quality depth scoring. Alternate captain Kiti Seikkula led HPK in points and goals, with 22 goals and 45 points in 31 games. Her point total was followed by Slovak forward Júlia Matejková's 16 goals and 22 points in 29 games and Czech left winger Tereza Pištěková's 24 assists and 35 points in 32 games. The three linemates ranked tenth, twelfth, and thirteenth on the league scoring table, respectively, and Seikkula was eighth in the league for goals scored. An additional three HPK players – right winger Ines Lukkarila, center Ella Välikangas, and defenseman Heta Seikkula – exceeded the twenty-point mark and another two players – Czech winger Barbora Juříčková and defenseman Oona Koukkula – earned 19 points on the season.

Both parts of HPK's goaltender tandem, Eline Gabriele and Janika Järvikari, ranked in the league's top-five of net minders playing at least one-third of their team's minutes for both save percentage and goals against average. Gabriele played half of HPK's games and recorded a very good 91.3 save percentage and solid 1.94 GAA, while Järvikari recorded a sublime 93.1 save percentage and league-leading 1.42 GAA.[6] Canadian goaltender Kassidy Sauvé, who had masterfully backstopped the team during the 2022 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs, signed with HPK in December 2023 and played in six regular season games during January and February, amassing a shaky 88.0 save percentage during that time.

KalPa edit

KalPa Kuopio finished the regular season ranked fourth in the league, with 60 points and a goal difference of +38. Star left winger Elisa Holopainen tallied 57 points despite missing all of September and most of October while rehabilitating from a major leg injury. Her 32 goals and 25 assists in nineteen games led all KalPa players in points and goals. Captain Johanna Juutilainen led the team in assists (26) and she ended the season with 46 points in 32 games. Other notable contributors to KalPa’s scoring were defenseman Sanni Rantala, who notched 34 points (13+21) in 30 games, and forward Tilli Keränen, who recorded a career-best 30 points (14+16) in 28 games.

Goaltender Tiina Ranne led the league in time on ice, with nearly 1,235 minutes in net, and her 21 games played tied Olivia Last of TPS for most played. Her 90.2 save percentage ranked ninth of all goaltenders playing at least one-third of their team's minutes and her 2.53 goals against average ranked seventh. Backup net-minders Aino Laitinen and Jenna Juutilainen recorded save percentages of 91.2 in eight games and 89.9 in four games, respectively.

Ilves edit

For the second consecutive season, Ilves Tampere amassed 59 points and were seeded fifth at the conclusion of the regular season. The team's +8 goal difference was one goal higher than their +7 for the 2022–23 season. Alternate captain Anniina Kaitala led the team in both goals (21) and points (34), and her eight power play goals ranked first in the league.[7] First line centre Emilia Varpula was Ilves' assist leader, recording 27 assists and 33 points in 31 games, and alternate captain Helen Puputti notched 32 points (13+19) in 31 games. Elli Suoranta was the top scoring defender for Ilves, tallying 28 points (13+15) in 27 games.

Team Kuortane edit

For the third consecutive season, Team Kuortane placed sixth in the league. The team struggled to score throughout the season and were shutout in ten games during the 32-game season, ultimately recording a –34 goal difference. Raili Mustonen led the team in points, scoring 7 goals and 15 points in 30 games, and ranked 51st on the league scoring table. Sofia Kari was Kuortane's leading goal scorer, with 9 goals and 14 points in 31 games, and Aino Krook led the team in assists, with 11 assists and 14 points in 32 games.

Emilia Kyrkkö, the 2022–23 Naisten Liiga Goaltender of the Year, was limited to six games of the 2023–24 season due to injury, leaving the starting net-minder position vacant. Early in the season, goalie Venla Varis suffered a season-ending injury and Kuortane's other two backup goaltenders – Lilia Huovinen and Kerttu Kuja-Halkola – scrambled to perform on a consistent basis. As the season progressed, Kuja-Halkola steadily improved from an 88.7 save percentage at the end of September to a team-leading 91.2 save percentage by season's end – for which she was recognized with selection to the Naisten Liiga All-Star second team.

Quarterfinals edit

The best-of-five quarterfinals (Finnish: puolivälierät) began on Friday, 23 February and concluded on Sunday, 3 March. The top eight teams from the regular season qualified for the quarterfinal round.[8] In three of the four series, home ice advantage was granted to the higher seeded teams for the first, third, and fifth games.[9]

(1) K-Espoo vs. (8) TPS edit

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

24 February 2024
15:15		Kiekko-Espoo7–0
(0–0, 4–0, 3–0)		TPS TurkuTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 101
[Game reference 1]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesOlivia LastReferee:
Reetta-Kaisa Lusi
Linesmen:
Ilona Silander
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Täks (Nuutinen, Schalin) – 21:121–0
Täks (Haukijärvi, Eronen) – 28:272–0
Haukijärvi (Eronen, Schalin) – 31:133–0
Täks (Tuominen) – 36:044–0
Talvitie (Zielińska) – 41:335–0
Valkjärvi (Nuutinen, Toivonen) – 43:436–0
Villilä (Tuominen, Nuutinen) (PP) – 55:437–0
6 minPenalties6 min
71Shots7
25 February 2024
14:50		TPS Turku1–8
(0–2, 1–5, 0–1)		Kiekko-EspooKupittaa, Turku
Attendance: 70
[Game reference 2]
Suvi SaarinenGoaliesMinja DrufvaReferee:
Tuomas Tilkanen
Linesmen:
Valtteri Jokinen
Max Kaituri
0–118:55 – Katajamäki (Nuutinen, Toivonen)
0–219:33 – Schalin (Villilä, Eronen)
Viitala (Narovcová, Ilvonen) – 21:551–2
1–325:30 – Tuominen (Valkjärvi, Nuutinen)
1–428:34 – Täks (Eronen, Haukijärvi)
1–530:07 – Nuutinen (Tuominen)
1–633:25 – Eronen (Schalin)
1–737:06 – Täks (Tuominen)
1–859:35 – Lehtopelto (Zielińska, Talvitie)
2 minPenalties2 min
12Shots71
29 February 2024
18:45		Kiekko-Espoo5–2
(1–0, 1–1, 3–1)		TPS TurkuTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 111
[Game reference 3]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesOlivia LastReferee:
Reetta-Kaisa Lusi
Linesmen:
Ilona Silander
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Nuutinen – 13:561–0
1–120:31 – Karru (Viitala, Ilvonen) (PP)
Täks (Villilä, Schalin) – 22:402–1
Haukijärvi (Eronen) – 52:203–1
Talvitie (Schalin, Lehtopelto) – 54:124–1
Nuutinen (Zielińska, Toivonen) – 55:295–1
5–258:42 – Kangas (Ilvonen)
4 minPenalties6 min
44Shots8

(2) HIFK vs. (7) Kärpät edit

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

24 February 2024
14:30		HIFK Helsinki7–2
(1–1, 3–1, 3–0)		Kärpät OuluPirkkola, Helsinki
Attendance: 182
[Game reference 4]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesEmilia PiekkariReferee:
Henna Åberg
Linesmen:
Juuso Simula
Helinä Anttila
Vanhanen (Rozier) – 09:451–0
1–114:22 – Siermala (Hautala, Ekoluoma) (PP)
Salonen (Vanhanen, Rozier) – 20:142–1
2–222:18 – Hulanmäki (Korpi-Halkola)
Liikala (Pere, Huotari) – 28:573–2
Vanhanen – 39:154–2
Liikala (Suhonen) – 40:575–2
Palin (Liikala, Rantamäki) – 51:426–2
Rozier (Vanhanen, Locatelli) – 56:037–2
4 minPenalties2 min
36Shots10
25 February 2024
15:00		HIFK Helsinki3–2
(2–0, 0–1, 1–1)		Kärpät OuluPirkkola, Helsinki
Attendance: 192
[Game reference 5]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesKati AsikainenReferee:
Henna Åberg
Linesmen:
Ilona Silander
Helinä Anttila
Rozier – 02:571–0
Rozier (Vanhanen, Salonen) – 07:392–0
2–135:17 – Antti-Roiko (Ylitalo, Pitkänen) (PP)
2–246:46 – Ylitalo (Antti-Roiko, Kaijankoski)
Yrjölä (Rantamäki, Liikala) – 48:373–2
8 minPenalties2 min
37Shots14
29 February 2024
18:15		Kärpät Oulu2–4
(1–1, 0–0, 1–3)		HIFK HelsinkiRaksila, Oulu
Attendance: 207
[Game reference 6]
Kati AsikainenGoaliesKiia LahtinenReferee:
Juuso Herranen
Linesmen:
Sami Väisänen
Pietu Mustonen
Ekoluoma (Antti-Roiko, Kylmäaho) – 02:151–0
1–117:05 – Rozier (Yrjölä, Rantamäki) (VR)
Ekoluoma (Hautala) (DP) – 44:342–1
2–244:58 – Salonen (Vanhanen)
2–356:02 – Liikala (Vanhanen, Yrjölä)
2–456:53 – Vanhanen (Liikala)
4 minPenalties4 min
18Shots35


(3) HPK vs. (6) Kuortane edit

HPK swept the season series with Team Kuortane, winning all four games in regulation.

The teams' last playoff meeting was in the 2020 Aurora Borealis Cup quarterfinals, which Team Kuortane won in five games.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

24 February 2024
14:00		HPK Hämeenlinna2–1 GWS
(0–0, 1–1, 0–0)
(OT: 0–0)
(SO: 1–0)		Team KuortaneHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 130
[Game reference 7]
Kassidy SauvéGoaliesEmilia KyrkköReferee:
Ilpo Lehtimäki
Linesmen:
Aapo Hautakangas
Lauri Kangaspusu
Mäkivaara (Koukkula) – 21:451–0
1–135:41 – Kokora (Tarkiainen)
Mäkivaara  
K. Seikkula  
Pištěková  
Matejková  
H. Seikkula  		Shootout  Virtanen
  Kari
  Krook
  Mustonen
  Byskata
6 minPenalties8 min
39Shots32
25 February 2024
15:00		Team Kuortane0–3
(0–1, 0–1, 0–1)		HPK HämeenlinnaKuortaneen jäähalli, Kuortane
Attendance: 95
[Game reference 8]
Emilia KyrkköGoaliesKassidy SauvéReferee:
Tiina Saarimäki
Linesmen:
Niko Kalliolepo
Lassi Mukkala
0–114:32 – Pištěková (Matejková) (PP)
0–235:29 – Juříčková (Vaníčková, Wilkman)
0–349:20 – Pištěková (K. Seikkula, Wilkman) (SH)
6 minPenalties4 min
23Shots22
28 February 2024
18:45		HPK Hämeenlinna5–1
(2–0, 0–1, 3–0)		Team KuortaneHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 90
[Game reference 9]
Kassidy SauvéGoaliesEmilia KyrkköReferee:
Tiina Saarimäki
Linesmen:
Joni Kivistö
Jarno Kuokkanen
Matejková (Pištěková, K. Seikkula) – 09:371–0
K. Seikkula (Pištěková, Matejková) (PP) – 19:132–0
2–124:30 – Mustonen (Tarkiainen, Lehmus) (PP2)
Välikangas (Mäkivaara, Lukkarila) – 54:043–1
H. Seikkula (Pištěková) (EN) – 58:274–1
K. Seikkula (Pištěková, H. Seikkula) (SH, EN) – 59:135–1
18 minPenalties29 min
17Shots31

HPK Hämeenlinna swept the series in three games, though the first game was pushed to the shootout after eighty minutes of play.[10]

Tereza Pištěková (2+4=6), Kiti Seikkula (2+2=4), and Júlia Matejková (1+2=3), HPK's top line, were together responsible for five of the team's ten goals and Heta Seikkula led all defensemen in scoring, with 2 goals and 3 points. Goaltender Kassidy Sauvé was excellent, posting a 97.7 save percentage and 0.60 GAA while playing all 200 minutes in net.

As they had in the regular season, Team Kuortane struggled to score during the series and scored two goals across the three games. Goals were scored by Heidi Kokora and Raili Mustonen; Hannele Tarkiainen assisted on both goals and Kerttu Lehmus notched a secondary assist on Mustonen's goal. Emilia Kyrkkö was steady in net, allowing just seven goals on 75 shots against, but her 90.7 save percentage through nearly 195 minutes of play could not negate the lack of offense generated by Kuortane.

(4) KalPa vs. (5) Ilves edit

Ilves won three of four games in the 2023–24 season series, though their third meeting was pushed to overtime before Elli Suoranta scored to conclude the game in Ilves’ favor. KalPa won the only game of the series in which Elisa Holopainen played.

In the 2023 playoffs, Ilves lost to HPK in four quarterfinal games and KalPa beat HPK to win Finnish Championship bronze.

All four games of the season series were close affairs, ending with a one-goal difference. Ilves won the first three encounters, though the third game was pushed to overtime before Elli Suoranta scored the game winner. KalPa won the only game in the series in which Elisa Holopainen played.

The teams last met in the postseason during the quarterfinals of the 2020 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs, which KalPa won in three games.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

23 February 2024
18:45		KalPa Kuopio2–1
(0–1, 1–0, 1–0)		Ilves TampereNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 108
[Game reference 10]
Tiina RanneGoaliesSalla SivulaReferee:
Patrik Jokinen
Linesmen:
Mikko Niskanen
Arttu Riikonen
0–110:19 – Puputti (Siira)
Jo. Juutilainen (Holopainen, Pohjala) – 24:431–1
Kastikainen (Keränen, Holopainen) (PP, VR) – 59:042–1
2 minPenalties8 min
30Shots28
25 February 2024
15:00		Ilves Tampere3–2
(1–1, 1–0, 1–1)		KalPa KuopioTesoman jäähalli, Tampere
Attendance: 130
[Game reference 11]
Salla SivulaGoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Kaisa Ketonen
Linesmen:
Lauri Kangaspusu
Aapo Hautakangas
0–103:45 – Holopainen (Rantala) (PP)
Parkkonen – 10:451–1
Melotindos (Kuusisto, Kaitala) – 38:062–1
Narinen (Katajamäki) – 41:553–1
3–252:57 – Keränen (Holopainen, Rantala)
6 minPenalties8 min
38Shots35
27 February 2024
18:45		KalPa Kuopio2–0
(0–0, 1–0, 1–0)		Ilves TampereNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 169
[Game reference 12]
Tiina RanneGoaliesSalla SivulaReferee:
Patrik Jokinen
Linesmen:
Arttu Riikonen
Anni Kankkunen
Rantala (Holopainen, Jo. Juutilainen) – 32:381–0
Holopainen (Jo. Juutilainen) (SH, EN, DP) – 59:182–0
6 minPenalties4 min
28Shots22
2 March 2024
13:45		Ilves Tampere1–3
(0–1, 1–1, 0–1)		KalPa KuopioTesoman jäähalli, Tampere
Attendance: 114
[Game reference 13]
Salla SivulaGoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Lauri Kangaspusu
Aino Ranki
0–107:43 – Holopainen (Keinonen)
Parkkonen (Kuusisto, Kilponen) (PP) – 27:111–1
1–229:45 – Holopainen
1–359:56 – Kortelainen (EN)
8 minPenalties20 min
22Shots22

Quarterfinal statistics edit

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the quarterfinals on 2 March 2024.[11]

Note: This table includes games played during the quarterfinals only. For cumulative playoff totals, see Player statistics.

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Elisa Holopainen KalPa 4 4 4 8 4
Emma Nuutinen K-Espoo 3 3 5 8 0
Sanni Vanhanen HIFK 3 3 5 8 0
Lisette Täks K-Espoo 3 6 0 6 2
Clara Rozier HIFK 3 4 2 6 0
Julia Liikala HIFK 3 3 3 6 0
Tereza Pištěková HPK 3 2 4 6 4
Ada Eronen K-Espoo 3 1 5 6 0
Julia Schalin K-Espoo 3 1 5 6 4
Minttu Tuominen K-Espoo 2 1 4 5 0
Tinja-Mariia Haukijärvi K-Espoo 3 2 2 4 0
Kiti Seikkula HPK 3 2 2 4 0
Emma Ekoluoma Kärpät 3 2 1 3 0
Pauliina Salonen HIFK 3 2 1 3 2
Heta Seikkula HPK 3 2 1 3 2
Elsa Talvitie K-Espoo 3 2 1 3 0

The following skaters were the top point scorers of teams not represented in the scoring leader table at the conclusion of the quarterfinals on 2 March 2024, noted with their overall scoring rank:

24. Eevi Ilvonen, TPS: 3 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 Pts, 0 PIM
28. Pihla Parkkonen, Ilves: 4 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 2 Pts, 2 PIM
34. Hannele Tarkiainen, Kuortane: 3 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 Pts, 2 PIM
Goaltenders

The following goaltenders had played at least two periods in net at the conclusion of the quarterfinals on 2 March 2024, sorted by save percentage.[12]

Note: This table includes games played during the quarterfinals only. For cumulative playoff totals, see player statistics.

Player Team GP TOI W L SA GA SO SV% GAA
Kassidy Sauvé HPK 3 200:00 2 0 86 2 1 97.7 0.60
Tiina Ranne KalPa 4 239:10 3 1 111 5 1 95.7 1.25
Salla Sivula Ilves 4 239:03 1 3 100 7 0 93.5 1.76
Minja Drufva K-Espoo 1 60:00 1 0 12 1 0 91.7 1.00
Emilia Kyrkkö Kuortane 3 194:55 0 2 75 7 0 90.7 2.15
Kati Asikainen Kärpät 2 117:22 0 2 65 7 0 90.3 3.58
Olivia Last TPS 2 120:00 0 2 103 12 0 89.6 6.00
Suvi Saarinen TPS 1 60:00 0 1 71 8 0 88.7 8.00
Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 2 120:00 2 0 13 2 1 86.7 1.00
Kiia Lahtinen HIFK 3 180:00 3 0 36 6 0 85.7 2.00
Emilia Piekkari Kärpät 1 60:00 0 1 36 7 0 80.6 7.00

Semifinals edit

The best-of-five semifinals (Finnish: välierät) began on Tuesday, 5 March and concluded on Sunday, 10 March.

K-Espoo vs. KalPa edit

The last postseason encounter between KalPa and Kiekko-Espoo came in the semifinals of the 2022 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs, which Kiekko-Espoo won in four games. KalPa went on to win Finnish Championship bronze against HPK and Kiekko-Espoo took home silver after being swept in the finals by HIFK.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

5 March 2024
18:45		Kiekko-Espoo5–3
(1–2, 3–1, 1–0)		KalPa KuopioTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 157
[Game reference 14]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Kaisa Kettonen
Linesmen:
Veeti Hurme
Salla-Maaria Raitala
0–102:53 – Holopainen (Pohjala, Jo. Juutilainen)
0–209:42 – Holopainen (Paroinen)
Schalin (Toivonen, Tuominen) (PP) – 18:071–2
Toivonen (Nuutinen) – 21:312–2
Koskipalo (Virtanen) – 31:023–2
Toivonen (Talvitie) – 39:244–2
4–339:47 – Holopainen (DP)
Nuutinen (PP) – 50:565–3
4 minPenalties4 min
44Shots19
7 March 2024
18:00		KalPa Kuopio0–4
(0–2, 0–2, 0–0)		Kiekko-EspooNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 162
[Game reference 15]
Tiina RanneGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Juuso Herranen
Linesmen:
Niko Liukkonen
Santeri Smahl
0–109:53 – Nuutinen (Toivonen, Tuominen)
0–210:14 – Täks
0–331:23 – Nuutinen (Haukijärvi, Tuominen) (PP)
0–436:22 – Koskipalo (Valkjärvi)
8 minPenalties6 min
16Shots40
9 March 2024
17:45		Kiekko-Espoo2–1
(0–1, 0–0, 2–0)		KalPa KuopioTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 206
[Game reference 16]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Kaisa Ketonen
Linesmen:
Helinä Anttila
Ilona Silander
0–115:58 – Rantala (Holopainen, Ad. Makkonen)
Katajamäki (Eronen, Nuutinen) – 49:301–1
Täks (Haukijärvi, Eronen) – 57:072–1
6 minPenalties2 min
27Shots16

HIFK vs. HPK edit

HIFK and HPK's last playoff meeting was in the 2023 semifinals, which HIFK swept in three games. HIFK went on to win the Aurora Borealis Cup for the first time. HPK lost the 2023 Finnish Championship bronze medal game to KalPa.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

5 March 2024
19:00		HIFK Helsinki0–1
(0–0, 0–0, 0–1)		HPK HämeenlinnaPirkkola, Helsinki
Attendance: 178
[Game reference 17]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesKassidy SauvéReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Helinä Anttila
Ilona Silander
0–146:50 – Koukkula (Juříčková, Välikangas)
0 minPenalties6 min
30Shots22
7 March 2024
18:45		HPK Hämeenlinna4–5
(2–1, 0–3, 2–1)		HIFK HelsinkiHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 210
[Game reference 18]
Kassidy SauvéGoaliesKiia LahtinenReferee:
Tiina Saarimäki
Linesmen:
Aino Ranki
Jarno Kuokkanen
0–103:02 – Vanhanen (Salonen, Locatelli)
Matejková (Pištěková) – 06:161–1
Mäkivaara (Lukkarila, Ahlskog) – 13:312–1
2–222:51 – Pejzlová (Rozier, Locatelli)
2–329:54 – Locatelli (Vanhanen, Andersson) (VR)
2–434:45 – Salonen (Pejzlová) (PP)
Lukkarila (Ahlskog, Välikangas) – 43:373–4
H. Seikkula (K. Seikkula) – 53:544–4
4–556:40 – Salonen (Locatelli, Kylliäinen)
8 minPenalties6 min
18Shots42
9 March 2024
13:00		HIFK Helsinki5–0
(0–0, 2–0, 3–0)		HPK HämeenlinnaPirkkola, Helsinki
Attendance: 210
[Game reference 19]
Miia VainioGoaliesKassidy SauvéReferee:
Annina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Aino Ranki
Pejzlová (Pere) – 25:091–0
Rantamäki (Pejzlová, Liikala) (PP) – 37:352–0
Pere – 47:553–0
Liikala (Pejzlová, Rantamäki) – 55:164–0
Liikala (Pejzlová, Andersson) – 59:435–0
8 minPenalties10 min
35Shots9
10 March 2024
13:30		HPK Hämeenlinna1–4
(1–1, 0–2, 0–1)		HIFK HelsinkiHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 140
[Game reference 20]
Kassidy SauvéGoaliesMiia VainioReferee:
Tiina Saarimäki
Linesmen:
Aino Ranki
Jarno Kuokkanen
0–115:53 – Kemppainen
Pištěková (K. Seikkula, Matejková) – 19:141–1
1–220:14 – Kemppainen (Yrjölä, Pejzlová) (PP)
1–326:37 – Rozier (Yrjölä, Locatelli)
1–448:30 – Vanhanen (Rozier, Locatelli)
4 minPenalties8 min
15Shots34

Semifinal statistics edit

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in semifinal points at the conclusion of the semifinals on 10 March 2024.

Note: This table includes games played during the semifinals only. For cumulative totals, see player statistics.

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Michaela Pejzlová HIFK 4 2 5 7 0
Athéna Locatelli HIFK 4 1 5 6 0
Emma Nuutinen K-Espoo 3 3 2 5 0
Elisa Holopainen KalPa 3 3 1 4 2
Aliisa Toivonen K-Espoo 3 2 2 4 0
Julia Liikala HIFK 4 2 1 3 2
Pauliina Salonen HIFK 4 2 1 3 2
Sanni Vanhanen HIFK 4 2 1 3 0
Clara Rozier HIFK 4 1 2 3 6
Minttu Tuominen K-Espoo 3 0 3 3 2

The following skater was the top point scorer of HPK, the only team not included in the scoring leaders table, noted with her overall scoring rank:

16. Ines Lukkarila, HPK: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pts, 4 PIM
Goaltenders

The following goaltenders had played at least two semifinal periods in net at the conclusion of the semifinals on 10 March 2024, sorted by save percentage.[12]

Note: This table includes games played during the semifinals only. For cumulative playoff totals, see player statistics.

Player Team GP TOI W L SA GA SO SV% GAA
Miia Vainio HIFK 2 120:00 2 0 24 1 1 95.8 0.50
Tiina Ranne KalPa 3 176:52 0 3 116 11 0 94.5 3.73
Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 3 180:00 3 0 53 4 1 92.5 1.33
Kiia Lahtinen HIFK 2 118:06 1 1 46 5 0 91.1 2.54
Kassidy Sauvé HPK 4 237:21 1 3 141 14 1 90.1 3.54

Bronze medal game edit

The Finnish Championship bronze medal game (Finnish: pronssiottelu) was played on Saturday, 16 March 2024.

Game time local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

16 March 2024
14:00		HPK Hämeenlinna1–3
(0–2, 0–1, 1–0)		KalPa KuopioHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 230
[Game reference 21]
Kassidy SauvéGoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Reetta-Kaisa Lusi
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Ilona Silander
0–102:21 – Jo. Juutilainen
0–210:26 – Holopainen (Rantala, Keränen)
0–324:50 – Holopainen
Stoltenberg (Pištěková, Matejková) (EA) – 57:101–3
6 minPenalties2 min
18Shots35

Finals edit

The best-of-five Finnish Championship finals (Finnish: Suomen mestaruus finaalit or SM-finaalit), also called the grand finale (Finnish: loppuottelut), began on Saturday, 16 March and the Aurora Borealis Cup will be awarded no later than Saturday, 23 March 2024.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

16 March 2024
14:45		Kiekko-Espoo3–0
(2–0, 0–0, 1–0)		HIFK HelsinkiTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 436
[Game reference 22]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesMiia VainioReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Aino Ranki
Helinä Anttila
Talvitie (Virtanen, Koskipalo) – 07:001–0
Tuominen (Schalin, Nuutinen) (PP) – 17:482–0
Täks (Villilä, Haukijärvi) – 47:203–0
6 minPenalties8 min
24Shots33
17 March 2024
15:00		HIFK Helsinki2–0
(1–0, 0–0, 1–0)		Kiekko-EspooPirkkola, Helsinki
Attendance: 419
[Game reference 23]
Miia VainioGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Tiina Saarimäki
Linesmen:
Helinä Anttila
Ilona Silander
Rozier (Locatelli, Kemppainen) (PP) – 05:421–0
Salonen (Rozier, Yrjölä) – 54:392–0
6 minPenalties8 min
19Shots29
19 March 2024
18:45		Kiekko-Espoo2–4
(0–1, 0–1, 2–2)		HIFK HelsinkiTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 443
[Game reference 24]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesMiia VainioReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Aino Ranki
0–101:09 – Liikala (Rantamäki, Yrjölä)
0–225:25 – Salonen (Rozier, Yrjölä)
0–353:03 – Kemppainen (Liikala, Vanhanen) (PP)
Katajamäki (Tuominen, Valkjärvi) (PP, EA) – 57:031–3
1–458:36 – Liikala (SH, EN)
Täks (Schalin, Zielińska) – 59:202–4
6 minPenalties10 min
29Shots20
21 March 2024
18:30		HIFK Helsinki3–2
(2–1, 1–1, 0–0)		Kiekko-EspooPirkkola, Helsinki
Attendance: 550
[Game reference 25]
Miia VainioGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Helinä Anttila
Aino Ranki
Rozier (Vanhanen, Pere) – 05:531–0
1–115:13 – Täks (Haukijärvi, Eronen)
Vanhanen (Liikala) – 18:302–1
2–235:11 – Katajamäki (Virtanen, Emma Nuutinen)
Liikala (Rozier) (PP) – 38:173–2
2 minPenalties6 min
25Shots26

Player statistics edit

Scoring leaders edit

The following players led the league in playoff points at the conclusion of the playoffs on 21 March 2024.[13]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Emma Nuutinen K-Espoo 10 6 9 15 2
Elisa Holopainen KalPa 8 9 5 14 6
Julia Liikala HIFK 11 8 6 14 2
Clara Rozier HIFK 11 7 7 14 12
Sanni Vanhanen HIFK 11 6 8 14 0
Lisette Täks K-Espoo 10 11 0 11 2
Minttu Tuominen K-Espoo 9 2 8 10 6
Tereza Pištěková HPK 8 3 6 9 4
Julia Schalin K-Espoo 10 2 7 9 4
Ada Eronen K-Espoo 10 1 8 9 4
Pauliina Salonen HIFK 11 6 2 8 4
Tinja-Mariia Haukijärvi K-Espoo 10 2 6 8 0
Athéna Locatelli HIFK 11 1 7 8 0
Siiri Yrjölä HIFK 11 1 7 8 0
Michaela Pejzlová HIFK 7 2 5 7 0
Aliisa Toivonen K-Espoo 10 2 5 7 4
Júlia Matejková HPK 8 2 4 6 10
Kiti Seikkula HPK 8 2 4 6 0
Karoliina Rantamäki HIFK 11 1 5 6 4
Elsa Talvitie K-Espoo 10 3 2 5 2

Goaltenders edit

The following goaltenders played at least two periods of a playoff match at the conclusion of the playoffs on 21 March 2024, sorted by save percentage.[14]

^ Team eliminated in quarterfinals
Player Team GP TOI W L SA GA SO SV% GAA
Miia Vainio HIFK 6 356:49 5 1 135 8 2 94.1 1.35
Salla Sivula^ Ilves 4 239:03 1 3 100 7 0 93.5 1.76
Tiina Ranne KalPa 8 476:02 4 4 245 17 1 93.1 2.14
Kassidy Sauvé HPK 8 493:30 3 4 262 19 2 92.7 2.30
Minja Drufva K-Espoo 1 60:00 1 0 12 1 0 91.7 1.00
Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 9 534:20 6 3 162 14 3 91.4 1.57
Emilia Kyrkkö^ Kuortane 3 194:55 0 2 75 7 0 90.7 2.15
Kati Asikainen^ Kärpät 2 117:22 0 2 65 7 0 90.3 3.58
Olivia Last^ TPS 2 120:00 0 2 103 12 0 89.6 6.00
Suvi Saarinen^ TPS 1 60:00 0 1 71 8 0 88.7 8.00
Kiia Lahtinen HIFK 5 298:06 4 1 82 11 0 86.6 2.21
Emilia Piekkari^ Kärpät 1 60:00 0 1 36 7 0 80.6 7.00

References edit

  1. ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga, pudotuspelit: Ottelut (Ottelusarjat)". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  2. ^ "HIFK:lle sakko ja pistemenetyksiä kansainvälisen seurasiirron hoitamatta jättämisestä". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  3. ^ Seppä, Lassi (1 September 2023). "HIFK:n naisten mestarijoukkueen huippuhyökkääjä pelasi ilman edustusoikeutta − seurauksena pistemenetys alkavalta kaudelta". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  4. ^ Sippola, Joel; Saatsi, Samu (6 September 2023). "HIFK:n mestarijoukkueen tähti pelasi vuoden ilman pelilupaa – kilpailijat ihmettelevät sanktiota: "Aika minimaalinen"". Yle Urheilu (in Finnish). Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  5. ^ Mennander, Pasi (27 February 2024). "HIFK:n Michaela Pejzlovalle Naisten Liigan pistepörssin voittajan palkinto". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  6. ^ Viljanen, Markus (23 February 2024). "Naisten Liigan pudotuspeliennakko: Puolivälierät käyntiin perjantaina". Liiga (in Finnish). Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  7. ^ Seppä, Lassi (15 February 2024). "Naisten Liigan runkosarja huipentuu − piikkipaikka jaossa, HIFK dominoi lähes kaikkia pelaajatilastoja". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Naisten Sarjajärjestelmät 22-23" (DOCX). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  9. ^ Seppä, Lassi (17 February 2024). "Naisten Liigan puolivälieräparit varmistuivat − HIFK kohtaa jälleen Kärpät". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  10. ^ Seppä, Lassi (28 February 2024). "HPK:sta ensimmäinen välieräjoukkue − Júlia Matejková puhuttaneista taklauksista: "Pudotuspeleissä näihin pitää olla valmis"". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  11. ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Pelaajatilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  12. ^ a b "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Maalivahtitilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 10 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  13. ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Pelaajatilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  14. ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Maalivahtitilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.

Game references edit

  1. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35796" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35800" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35804" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35797" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35801" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35805" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35798" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35802" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35806" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35799" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35803" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35807" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35811" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35816" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35818" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  16. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35820" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 9 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35817" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  18. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35819" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  19. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35821" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 9 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  20. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35823" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35826" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35827" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35828" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  24. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35829" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35830" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.

External links edit

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