2024 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs
Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit 2024 (Finnish) 2024 Naisten Liiga playoffs | |
---|---|
Tournament details | |
Dates | 23 February 2024 (2024-02-23)–21 March 2024 (2024-03-21) |
Format | Best-of-five |
Teams | 8 |
Defending champions | HIFK Helsinki |
Final positions | |
Champions | HIFK Helsinki (2nd title) |
Runner-up | Kiekko-Espoo |
Third place | KalPa Kuopio |
Fourth place | HPK Hämeenlinna |
Tournament statistics | |
Games played | 25 |
Goals scored | 124 (4.96 per game) |
Attendance | 5,040 (202 per game) |
Scoring leader(s) | Emma Nuutinen (15) |
MVP | Clara Rozier |
← 2023 2025 → |
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.
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
- 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
HIFK
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
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
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
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
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
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
All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)
24 February 2024 15:15 | Kiekko-Espoo | 7–0 (0–0, 4–0, 3–0) | TPS Turku | Tapiola 2, Espoo Attendance: 101 |
[Game reference 1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiia Pajarinen | Goalies | Olivia Last | Referee: Reetta-Kaisa Lusi Linesmen: Ilona Silander Salla-Maaria Raitala | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 6 min | |||||||||||||||||||||
71 | Shots | 7 |
25 February 2024 14:50 | TPS Turku | 1–8 (0–2, 1–5, 0–1) | Kiekko-Espoo | Kupittaa, Turku Attendance: 70 |
[Game reference 2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suvi Saarinen | Goalies | Minja Drufva | Referee: Tuomas Tilkanen Linesmen: Valtteri Jokinen Max Kaituri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 min | Penalties | 2 min | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | Shots | 71 |
29 February 2024 18:45 | Kiekko-Espoo | 5–2 (1–0, 1–1, 3–1) | TPS Turku | Tapiola 2, Espoo Attendance: 111 |
[Game reference 3] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiia Pajarinen | Goalies | Olivia Last | Referee: Reetta-Kaisa Lusi Linesmen: Ilona Silander Salla-Maaria Raitala | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
4 min | Penalties | 6 min | |||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Shots | 8 |
(2) HIFK vs. (7) Kärpät
All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+2)
24 February 2024 14:30 | HIFK Helsinki | 7–2 (1–1, 3–1, 3–0) | Kärpät Oulu | Pirkkola, Helsinki Attendance: 182 |
[Game reference 4] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiia Lahtinen | Goalies | Emilia Piekkari | Referee: Henna Åberg Linesmen: Juuso Simula Helinä Anttila | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 min | Penalties | 2 min | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
36 | Shots | 10 |
25 February 2024 15:00 | HIFK Helsinki | 3–2 (2–0, 0–1, 1–1) | Kärpät Oulu | Pirkkola, Helsinki Attendance: 192 |
[Game reference 5] | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiia Lahtinen | Goalies | Kati Asikainen | Referee: Henna Åberg Linesmen: Ilona Silander Helinä Anttila | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
8 min | Penalties | 2 min | |||||||||||||||
37 | Shots | 14 |
29 February 2024 18:15 | Kärpät Oulu | 2–4 (1–1, 0–0, 1–3) | HIFK Helsinki | Raksila, Oulu Attendance: 207 |
[Game reference 6] | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kati Asikainen | Goalies | Kiia Lahtinen | Referee: Juuso Herranen Linesmen: Sami Väisänen Pietu Mustonen | |||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
4 min | Penalties | 4 min | ||||||||||||||||||
18 | Shots | 35 |
(3) HPK vs. (6) Kuortane
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 Hämeenlinna | 2–1 GWS (0–0, 1–1, 0–0) (OT: 0–0) (SO: 1–0) | Team Kuortane | Hämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna Attendance: 130 |
[Game reference 7] | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kassidy Sauvé | Goalies | Emilia Kyrkkö | Referee: Ilpo Lehtimäki Linesmen: Aapo Hautakangas Lauri Kangaspusu | |||||
| ||||||||
Mäkivaara ![]() K. Seikkula ![]() Pištěková ![]() Matejková ![]() H. Seikkula ![]() | Shootout | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
6 min | Penalties | 8 min | ||||||
39 | Shots | 32 |
25 February 2024 15:00 | Team Kuortane | 0–3 (0–1, 0–1, 0–1) | HPK Hämeenlinna | Kuortaneen jäähalli, Kuortane Attendance: 95 |
[Game reference 8] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emilia Kyrkkö | Goalies | Kassidy Sauvé | Referee: Tiina Saarimäki Linesmen: Niko Kalliolepo Lassi Mukkala | ||||||||
| |||||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 4 min | |||||||||
23 | Shots | 22 |
28 February 2024 18:45 | HPK Hämeenlinna | 5–1 (2–0, 0–1, 3–0) | Team Kuortane | Hämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna Attendance: 90 |
[Game reference 9] | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kassidy Sauvé | Goalies | Emilia Kyrkkö | Referee: Tiina Saarimäki Linesmen: Joni Kivistö Jarno Kuokkanen | |||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
18 min | Penalties | 29 min | ||||||||||||||||||
17 | Shots | 31 |
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
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 Kuopio | 2–1 (0–1, 1–0, 1–0) | Ilves Tampere | Niirala, Kuopio Attendance: 108 |
[Game reference 10] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiina Ranne | Goalies | Salla Sivula | Referee: Patrik Jokinen Linesmen: Mikko Niskanen Arttu Riikonen | ||||||||
| |||||||||||
2 min | Penalties | 8 min | |||||||||
30 | Shots | 28 |
25 February 2024 15:00 | Ilves Tampere | 3–2 (1–1, 1–0, 1–1) | KalPa Kuopio | Tesoman jäähalli, Tampere Attendance: 130 |
[Game reference 11] | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Salla Sivula | Goalies | Tiina Ranne | Referee: Kaisa Ketonen Linesmen: Lauri Kangaspusu Aapo Hautakangas | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 8 min | |||||||||||||||
38 | Shots | 35 |
27 February 2024 18:45 | KalPa Kuopio | 2–0 (0–0, 1–0, 1–0) | Ilves Tampere | Niirala, Kuopio Attendance: 169 |
[Game reference 12] | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiina Ranne | Goalies | Salla Sivula | Referee: Patrik Jokinen Linesmen: Arttu Riikonen Anni Kankkunen | |||||
| ||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 4 min | ||||||
28 | Shots | 22 |
2 March 2024 13:45 | Ilves Tampere | 1–3 (0–1, 1–1, 0–1) | KalPa Kuopio | Tesoman jäähalli, Tampere Attendance: 114 |
[Game reference 13] | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Salla Sivula | Goalies | Tiina Ranne | Referee: Anniina Nurmi Linesmen: Lauri Kangaspusu Aino Ranki | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
8 min | Penalties | 20 min | ||||||||||||
22 | Shots | 22 |
Quarterfinal statistics
- 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
The best-of-five semifinals (Finnish: välierät) began on Tuesday, 5 March and concluded on Sunday, 10 March.
K-Espoo vs. KalPa
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-Espoo | 5–3 (1–2, 3–1, 1–0) | KalPa Kuopio | Tapiola 2, Espoo Attendance: 157 |
[Game reference 14] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiia Pajarinen | Goalies | Tiina Ranne | Referee: Kaisa Kettonen Linesmen: Veeti Hurme Salla-Maaria Raitala | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 min | Penalties | 4 min | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Shots | 19 |
7 March 2024 18:00 | KalPa Kuopio | 0–4 (0–2, 0–2, 0–0) | Kiekko-Espoo | Niirala, Kuopio Attendance: 162 |
[Game reference 15] | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiina Ranne | Goalies | Tiia Pajarinen | Referee: Juuso Herranen Linesmen: Niko Liukkonen Santeri Smahl | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
8 min | Penalties | 6 min | ||||||||||||
16 | Shots | 40 |
9 March 2024 17:45 | Kiekko-Espoo | 2–1 (0–1, 0–0, 2–0) | KalPa Kuopio | Tapiola 2, Espoo Attendance: 206 |
[Game reference 16] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiia Pajarinen | Goalies | Tiina Ranne | Referee: Kaisa Ketonen Linesmen: Helinä Anttila Ilona Silander | ||||||||
| |||||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 2 min | |||||||||
27 | Shots | 16 |
HIFK vs. HPK
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 Helsinki | 0–1 (0–0, 0–0, 0–1) | HPK Hämeenlinna | Pirkkola, Helsinki Attendance: 178 |
[Game reference 17] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiia Lahtinen | Goalies | Kassidy Sauvé | Referee: Anniina Nurmi Linesmen: Helinä Anttila Ilona Silander | ||
| |||||
0 min | Penalties | 6 min | |||
30 | Shots | 22 |
7 March 2024 18:45 | HPK Hämeenlinna | 4–5 (2–1, 0–3, 2–1) | HIFK Helsinki | Hämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna Attendance: 210 |
[Game reference 18] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kassidy Sauvé | Goalies | Kiia Lahtinen | Referee: Tiina Saarimäki Linesmen: Aino Ranki Jarno Kuokkanen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8 min | Penalties | 6 min | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18 | Shots | 42 |
9 March 2024 13:00 | HIFK Helsinki | 5–0 (0–0, 2–0, 3–0) | HPK Hämeenlinna | Pirkkola, Helsinki Attendance: 210 |
[Game reference 19] | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miia Vainio | Goalies | Kassidy Sauvé | Referee: Annina Nurmi Linesmen: Salla-Maaria Raitala Aino Ranki | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
8 min | Penalties | 10 min | |||||||||||||||
35 | Shots | 9 |
10 March 2024 13:30 | HPK Hämeenlinna | 1–4 (1–1, 0–2, 0–1) | HIFK Helsinki | Hämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna Attendance: 140 |
[Game reference 20] | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kassidy Sauvé | Goalies | Miia Vainio | Referee: Tiina Saarimäki Linesmen: Aino Ranki Jarno Kuokkanen | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
4 min | Penalties | 8 min | |||||||||||||||
15 | Shots | 34 |
Semifinal statistics
- 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
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 Hämeenlinna | 1–3 (0–2, 0–1, 1–0) | KalPa Kuopio | Hämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna Attendance: 230 |
[Game reference 21] | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kassidy Sauvé | Goalies | Tiina Ranne | Referee: Reetta-Kaisa Lusi Linesmen: Salla-Maaria Raitala Ilona Silander | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 2 min | ||||||||||||
18 | Shots | 35 |
Finals
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-Espoo | 3–0 (2–0, 0–0, 1–0) | HIFK Helsinki | Tapiola 2, Espoo Attendance: 436 |
[Game reference 22] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiia Pajarinen | Goalies | Miia Vainio | Referee: Anniina Nurmi Linesmen: Aino Ranki Helinä Anttila | ||||||||
| |||||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 8 min | |||||||||
24 | Shots | 33 |
17 March 2024 15:00 | HIFK Helsinki | 2–0 (1–0, 0–0, 1–0) | Kiekko-Espoo | Pirkkola, Helsinki Attendance: 419 |
[Game reference 23] | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miia Vainio | Goalies | Tiia Pajarinen | Referee: Tiina Saarimäki Linesmen: Helinä Anttila Ilona Silander | |||||
| ||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 8 min | ||||||
19 | Shots | 29 |
19 March 2024 18:45 | Kiekko-Espoo | 2–4 (0–1, 0–1, 2–2) | HIFK Helsinki | Tapiola 2, Espoo Attendance: 443 |
[Game reference 24] | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tiia Pajarinen | Goalies | Miia Vainio | Referee: Anniina Nurmi Linesmen: Salla-Maaria Raitala Aino Ranki | |||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
6 min | Penalties | 10 min | ||||||||||||||||||
29 | Shots | 20 |
21 March 2024 18:30 | HIFK Helsinki | 3–2 (2–1, 1–1, 0–0) | Kiekko-Espoo | Pirkkola, Helsinki Attendance: 550 |
[Game reference 25] | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miia Vainio | Goalies | Tiia Pajarinen | Referee: Anniina Nurmi Linesmen: Helinä Anttila Aino Ranki | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
2 min | Penalties | 6 min | |||||||||||||||
25 | Shots | 26 |
Player statistics
Scoring leaders
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
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
- ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga, pudotuspelit: Ottelut (Ottelusarjat)". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "HIFK:lle sakko ja pistemenetyksiä kansainvälisen seurasiirron hoitamatta jättämisestä". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ^ Seppä, Lassi (1 September 2023). "HIFK:n naisten mestarijoukkueen huippuhyökkääjä pelasi ilman edustusoikeutta − seurauksena pistemenetys alkavalta kaudelta". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Mennander, Pasi (27 February 2024). "HIFK:n Michaela Pejzlovalle Naisten Liigan pistepörssin voittajan palkinto". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Viljanen, Markus (23 February 2024). "Naisten Liigan pudotuspeliennakko: Puolivälierät käyntiin perjantaina". Liiga (in Finnish). Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Seppä, Lassi (15 February 2024). "Naisten Liigan runkosarja huipentuu − piikkipaikka jaossa, HIFK dominoi lähes kaikkia pelaajatilastoja". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Naisten Sarjajärjestelmät 22-23" (DOCX). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ Seppä, Lassi (17 February 2024). "Naisten Liigan puolivälieräparit varmistuivat − HIFK kohtaa jälleen Kärpät". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Pelaajatilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Maalivahtitilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 10 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Pelaajatilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "2023–2024 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit: Maalivahtitilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
Game references
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35796" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35800" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35804" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35797" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35801" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35805" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35798" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35802" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35806" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35799" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35803" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35807" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35811" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35816" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35818" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35820" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 9 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35817" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35819" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35821" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 9 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35823" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35826" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35827" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35828" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35829" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Ottelupöytäkirja – Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit – Ott.nr.: 35830" (PDF). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
External links
- Official statistics from the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish)