Liiga-provot: There is no bar that Jukurit and Sport would not eagerly lower

League provocateurs highlight three sharp statements about the domestic top league. In these opinions, they draw straight lines without hesitation, showing no mercy or taking hostages.

This time, the focus is on the worst underperformers in the League and young goalkeepers.

There is no bar so low that Jukurit and Sport wouldn’t eagerly fall below it

Mikkelin Jukurit and Vaasan Sport have completely tanked the rest of the season. The Mikkeli team has been fielding surplus players from the A-juniors in their recent matches and has not even managed to assemble a full lineup.

Vaasan Sport’s young lineup has been more decent, but the results are ugly. On Friday, Sport experienced perhaps the biggest humiliation of the season when Kiekko-Espoo crushed them 7-0. If the Espoo team had been in a more malicious mood, the final score could have been even harsher. The harshest statistical fact is that Sport managed to shoot at the opponent’s goal only eight times throughout the entire match.

So, Sport had one shot more than the number of goals the opponent scored.

Jukurit and Sport are of course acting economically smart. Everything that could be sold was sold, and now young players are given the chance to show their skills.

In the case of these two teams, one question arises: is there any kind of professional pride in the clubs? Is there any bar that Jukurit and Sport would not be willing to fall below? Is there anything that has been left undone because “that doesn’t belong in professional sports”?

Doubtful.

If someone were to call Vaasa or Mikkeli and offer a grand if the team eats a bucket of worms, the response would be: “I suppose this offer is a bucket and a grand… per player?”

Good luck to Sport and Jukurit next season. I am curious to see how easy it will be to switch from crawling on all fours to a sprint.

Jesper Piitulainen has professional pride and backbone. He criticized his club’s direction in a previous interview with Yle. Photo: All Over Press

Losers always find a way to lose

TPS and Kärpät’s struggles are a pitiful sight. Even when the teams are in a strong lead, the viewer always knows that this will turn into a loss. The only moment of suspense is how the team will manage to mess up a sure victory this time.

But they will find a way in the end. Losers always find a way to lose.

Young players ignite in spring

According to an old saying, experienced players ignite in spring. This season, the situation is the opposite, at least for the goalkeepers.

In the early season, the League was dominated by Patrik Bartosak and Jan Bednar, who have played quite mediocrely in 2026. In 2026, Bartosak’s save percentage has been 89.58, while Bednar’s is 87.50.

The youth department of goalkeepers has been in tremendous form. In 2026, K-Espoo’s Petteri “Showtime” Rimpinen has played 11 matches with a save percentage of 93.93. HPK’s Kim Saarinen has played 19 matches with a save percentage of 92.37. Lukon’s Daniel Salonen has played 12 games with a save percentage of 91.06.

It will be interesting to see who ultimately claims the title of the League’s best goalkeeper. Throughout the season, the most consistent and reliable performer has been HPK’s 19-year-old Saarinen, but will more established names ultimately take the victory?

Hot days in the League

In the coming days, a lot will happen in the League, and SuomiKiekko will be bringing you a lot of interesting content that you won’t want to miss.

On Tuesday, March 17, the last round of the regular season will be played in the League. SuomiKiekko will organize a live follow-up where the day’s events will be tracked moment by moment. This follow-up is the best and easiest way to stay updated on which teams will face each other in the playoffs.
Starting Wednesday, March 18, SuomiKiekko’s playoff preview will be published. We will assess how each playoff series will go, interview the coaches of the clubs, and much more.