Local rivals HIFK and Jokerit will meet on Wednesday evening in the second Stadin derby of the league season. The match will start at the Helsinki Ice Hall at 18:30.

There are several interesting changes in the announced lineups of the teams.

HIFK receives an important reinforcement back to their lineup as Canadian forward Vincent Marleau returns after his injury. Marleau has been absent from the last matches before the national team break.

Marleau will take his place in the center of HIFK’s second line.

Also, Kasperi Ojantakanen will make his debut in an HIFK jersey. The forward, who represented Ässät in the previous round, will start the match on the fourth line.

HIFK’s offense will be missing Jake Leschyshyn.

Jokerit will have a new reinforcement on the ice. The club’s recent defensive acquisition Andrew Lucas will make his Jokerit debut and play alongside Max Krogdahl in the first defensive pair.

Jokerit will still be missing, among others, Teemu Turunen and Olli Juolevi.

Starting in goal for HIFK will be Hugo Alnefelt, while Tomi Karhunen will carry the goaltending responsibilities for Jokerit.

The first Stadin derby of the season ended in October with Jokerit’s 3–2 overtime victory.

LIVE FOLLOW-UP for tonight’s Stadin derby is now open

Lines for tonight’s match:

HIFK:
Daniel Mäkiaho–Iiro Pakarinen–Niko Huuhtanen
Sampo Ranta–Vincent Marleau–Eetu Liukas
Lassi Vanhatalo–Lauri Sinivuori–Aatu Karjalainen
Ottoville Leppänen–Kasperi Ojantakanen–Atte Joki
Anttoni Uronen

Linus Nässen–Jesper Ahlroth
Aron Kiviharju–Lukas Pilö
Ilari Melart–Kasper Puutio
David Nemecek

Hugo Alnefelt (Olof Glifford)

Jokerit:
Alexander Forslund–Patrick Curry–Maxime Fortier
Markus Hännikäinen–Patrik Virta–Eetu Tuulola
Emil Kuusla–Henri Nikkanen–Antti Kalapudas
Bruno Kallio–Aleksi Mustonen–Jere Henriksson

Andrew Lucas–Max Krogdahl
Aleksi Elorinne–Matthew Caito
Valtteri Pulli–Oliver Larsen
Oskari Manninen–Riku Tuomola

Tomi Karhunen (Olle Eriksson Ek)

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