LIVE TRACKING: Pitsiturnaus 2026 - the final ended with crushing scores!

The Pitsiturnaus held in Rauma kicked off the League’s preseason. The tournament took place on Friday, August 7th. The first match started at 8:45 AM and the final began in the evening at 8:15 PM. The participating teams in the practice tournament were Lukko, Ässät, TPS, Sport, HPK, and Jokerit, returning to the League after a long break.

HPK won the tournament by defeating Sport in the final 4-0.

SuomiKiekko followed the progress of the tournament moment by moment.

Group A:

1. HPK 4 pts 2:0 (to semifinals)

2. Ässät 2 pts 1:1 (to semifinals)

3. Lukko 1 pt 1:3

Group B:

1. Sport 3 pts 2:1 (to semifinals)

2. Jokerit 3 pts 1:1 (to semifinals)

3. TPS 3 pts 3:4

Jumbofinal: Lukko-TPS 1-2

Semi-final 1: HPK-Jokerit 2-0

Semi-final 2: Sport-Ässät 2-0

Final: HPK-Sport 4-0

Live coverage: Pitsiturnaus

9:45 PM: For HPK, winning the Pitsiturnaus was the first in the club’s history. Thanks for following the live coverage and congratulations to Hämeenlinna!

9:44 PM: Rankings in the Pitsiturnaus 2026: 1) HPK, 2) Sport, 3) Jokerit, 4) Ässät, 5) TPS, 6) Lukko.

9:40 PM: The tournament’s scoring leader was TPS’s Lukas Wernblom with stats of 2+2. He was followed by HPK’s three-point players Oliver Kopiloff (3+0), Brendan Ranford (2+1), and Andrej Kukuča (0+3). Also following were HPK’s Hugo Gabrielson and Viljami Jokirinne with stats of 1+1, as well as Sport’s Phillip Granath, 1+1.

9:37 PM: This tournament was a great start to the season for HPK. After 130 minutes of hockey, they scored eight goals, and in goal, Kim Saarinen and Jacob Crespin did not allow any goals against.

9:34 PM: HPK wins 4-0 and also the Pitsiturnaus!

9:31 PM: A fight just 51 seconds before the end. HPK’s Gabriel Nitz and Sport’s Lari Heikkinen are boxing.

9:27 PM: 4-0 for HPK! The club didn’t even need to get the puck into the net. Oliver Kopiloff got the puck and was possibly about to score his third goal. Kopiloff was fouled, and the referees awarded HPK a goal due to the foul, as a wide-open net awaited.

9:26 PM: The Kotkapaidat take Joni Ortio off the net and are looking for a goal with six against five.

9:25 PM: Only three minutes left on the game clock. Lauri Mikkola informs the referees that Sport is taking a timeout. Now the Vaasalaiset need to score a goal per minute.

9:23 PM: Sport had a chance to narrow the gap. Viljami Nieminen got a breakaway but shot the puck into the stands. So still some summer rust in finishing.

9:22 PM: Five minutes left in the game and HPK leads 3-0.

9:16 PM: Nine minutes left and the Pitsiturnaus victory is heading to Hämeenlinna. HPK has not allowed a goal all day, and now Sport needs to score three goals in a short time.

9:15 PM: HPK strikes immediately, 3-0! The same man again, Oliver Kopiloff goes one-on-one with Joni Ortio and shoots the club into a three-goal lead.

9:13 PM: HPK strikes 2-0! Oliver Kopiloff circles his own rebound in an old-fashioned way.

9:10 PM: Sport has played lively all day, but HPK now has a good grip on the Pitsiturnaus victory. 13 minutes left.

9:06 PM: HPK survived its penalty without conceding, and 1-0 is still on the board in favor of the Hämeenlinnalaiset.

9:04 PM: The Vaasalaiset’ attempt hits the post! HPK is not allowing a goal today. The magic holds.

9:02 PM: Sport’s Charles Bertrand is checked into the boards. Roope Vesterinen gets a penalty for the board check just 50 seconds into the second period. Now Sport has a chance to equalize.

9:00 PM: Now it’s time for the second period and the last period of the Pitsiturnaus. Will HPK’s 1-0 lead hold or will Sport level the score?

Second period begins

HPK leads – watch the first goal of the final below or FROM THIS LINK

8:45 PM: The first period ends with HPK leading 1-0. This time there will be a 15-minute intermission, and then another 20-minute period will continue.

8:45 PM: After Sport’s power play, Heikki Huttunen gets a breakaway but fails to score a second goal for the club. Joni Ortio saves.

8:44 PM: Sport fails to score on the power play. HPK still leads 1-0.

8:41 PM: Now there was a long cycle from Sport. HPK takes a penalty for holding and will be shorthanded for the second time in this period. Will Sport score the equalizer and break HPK’s shutout? The Hämeenlinnalaiset have not allowed a single goal today.

8:38 PM: Five minutes left in the first period, HPK leads 1-0.

8:34 PM: HPK takes the lead! Brendan Ranford scores from the back post. Hugo Gabrielson and Anrei Hakulinen set up the goal beautifully.

8:29 PM: Ten minutes in and the score is 0-0. Half an hour still remains of effective playing time, as the final is played in a 2×20 minute format.

8:27 PM: The atmosphere at Äijänsuo is quiet and the stands are empty, even though the final is underway. Perhaps HPK and Sport fans were not the most present in Rauma today, as one might expect. Lukko finished last and the Rauma audience left for other activities afterward.

8:23 PM: HPK clears its penalty and continues in a scoreless tie with five against five.

8:20 PM: Three minutes gone and the first penalty. It goes to HPK’s Miska Kukkonen, who sent the puck into the stands. Sport gets a power play.

8:15 PM: In goal for HPK is Jacob Crespin, for Sport Joni Ortio.

Final underway

8:09 PM: Here we go! The Pitsiturnaus culminates in the final between HPK and Sport starting at 8:15 PM.

7:58 PM: Both final teams have managed to keep their opponents from scoring at an excellent level. HPK’s Kim Saarinen and Jacob Crespin have not allowed a goal in 90 minutes. One puck has slipped into Sport’s net before the final. Masi Härkönen has kept a shutout, Joni Ortio conceded once against Jokerit.

7:55 PM: Before the final, the tournament’s scoring leader is TPS’s Lukas Wernblom with stats of 2+2. In addition, only two players have collected at least two points: Sport’s Phillip Granath 1+1 and HPK’s Andrej Kukuča 0+2.

7:48 PM: The intermission between the final periods lasts 15 minutes, and if the game is tied after 40 minutes of effective play, the Pitsiturnaus champion will be decided by a shootout. For both HPK and Sport, the tournament victory would be the first of its kind.

7:44 PM: The final features HPK and Sport. The match starts at 8:15 PM and, unlike other games, is 2×20 minutes long. Additionally, there will be a proper intermission, whereas previous matches continued after a quick break.

Semi-final stage is over

7:37 PM: Sport to the final! Ässät downed 2-0.

7:34 PM: Ässät pulls goalie Pyry Lammi from the net. One minute left and they are looking for a goal.

7:31 PM: Time is running out for the Porilaiset. Sport leads by two goals with two minutes left.

7:25 PM: Sport has now put Ässät in a tough spot. HPK is waiting for its final opponent. If the Kotkapaidat can hold on for another seven minutes, it will be Sport.

7:22 PM: Sport scores 2-0! Anton Stråka shoves the puck in from a goalmouth scramble. A crucial goal.

7:20 PM: Sport takes the lead! Quite a chaotic goal. Ässät tries to clear, but the clearing puck hits Sport’s Phillip Granath, and the puck bounces off the Norwegian player into the Ässä net.

7:19 PM: Both teams also received minors for violence after the situation, but the game continues with Sport on the power play for two minutes.

7:18 PM: Then there was a bit of a tussle on the ice. Now there was a confusing situation: Thomas Poikkeus from Ässät thought he received a penalty for a boarding check, but that was not the case. Poikkeus had already left the rink but returned and went to the box to sit for a minor.

7:15 PM: Just over ten minutes left. The game is following the same five-on-five pattern as in the first period, both teams are quickly going from end to end. Scoring chances are still scarce.

7:13 PM: This game is also played in 2×15 minutes. If the game is tied after half an hour of effective play, a shootout will be held.

Second period

7:07 PM: No goals on the power play for Ässät. The first period ends with a score of 0-0.

7:04 PM: Sport gets a penalty for tripping. The period has two minutes left, so the Patapaidat will get a chance to try for the lead goal at the end of the period.

7:03 PM: Now there was a long cycle from the Vaasalaiset, but Ässät holds firm. The game remains scoreless.

6:58 PM: Sport fails to score on the power play, although they managed to create some special situations.

6:55 PM: Sport gets a power play. Will they score now?

6:53 PM: Six minutes played. No particularly dangerous scoring chances, but there is not too much caution being exercised here.

6:48 PM: A fast start, back and forth has been seen in the second semi-final between Ässät and Sport.

Semi-final 2 begins

6:36 PM: Two games remain. The semi-final starting at 6:45 PM between Ässät and Sport, and the final where the winner of that game will face HPK at 8:15 PM.

HPK to the final – if you don’t see Hugo Gabrielson’s goal below, you can watch it here

6:22 PM: Next, the second semi-final will be played. It will determine HPK’s final opponent. Sport and Ässät will start their match at 6:45 PM.

The match has ended

6:21 PM: HPK to the final! Jokerit falls 2-0.

6:20 PM: The last seconds are ticking down. HPK keeps playing long, but the tactic seems to be working. Victory is on the way.

6:16 PM: Jokerit is looking for a goal without a goalie.

6:14 PM: Jokerit takes a timeout with just over two minutes left. HPK leads 2-0.

6:12 PM: No third goal for HPK, the power play is over. Four minutes of game time left and the club is heading to the final.

6:09 PM: Now it looks good for the Hämeenlinnalaiset. The Helsinki team sends the puck into the stands and HPK gets a power play. Still a two-goal lead.

6:08 PM: Jokerit is looking for a goal but is not really getting any chances. It should be noted that HPK has not allowed a single goal in this tournament.

6:03 PM: There are just over 11 minutes left. At this rate, HPK is strongly heading to the final, where they would face Ässät or Sport. But first, let’s finish the game.

6:01 PM: Jokerit’s head coach Tomek Valtonen was interviewed by SuomiKiekko at the Pitsiturnaus. Valtonen spoke about the Helsinki club’s goals for the upcoming season. You can read the article HERE.

Second period

5:55 PM: The first period ends with HPK leading 2-0.

5:51 PM: No goals on the power play for Jokerit.

5:48 PM: Jokerit gets a chance to score a goal when Harri Kainulainen is sent to the penalty box for tripping.

5:47 PM: In goal for the club, Kim Saarinen makes a save on Patrick Curryn‘s shot.

5:45 PM: Hugo Gabrielson scores a beautiful solo goal and HPK leads 2-0!

5:43 PM: In the match between HPK and Jokerit, there seem to be many empty seats in the stands, as the home team Lukko’s tournament ended three quarters ago in last place.

5:40 PM: Over five minutes played. The semi-finals are also played in a 2×15 format. The final is 2×20 minutes.

5:35 PM: And it didn’t take long, HPK takes the lead with a power play goal! Brendan Ranford scores. The club still has plenty of power play time left as this came five against three.

5:34 PM: And immediately after, another penalty for the Jokerit. HPK has a two-man advantage for over a minute!

5:32 PM: Jokerit gets a penalty immediately. HPK on the power play.

Semi-final 1 begins

5:30 PM: HPK and Jokerit are next in line. The first semi-final is about to start.

5:07 PM: The semi-finals continue. First up is the HPK-Jokerit match starting at 5:30 PM.

The Jumbofinal has ended

5:04 PM: TPS wins! Lukko finishes last, TPS is fifth.

5:03 PM: Lukko takes a timeout. Tomi Lämsä‘s protégés are about to finish last in their own tournament. Daniel Salonen is pulled from the net, now they are looking for an equalizer with six against five.

5:02 PM: TPS takes the lead half a minute before the end, 2-1! Sisu Yliniemi redirects Lukas Wernblom’s pass in.

4:59 PM: Just over two minutes left in the Jumbomatch. The score is tied.

4:56 PM: Lukko’s Jami Krannila gets a breakaway but fails to get past Markus Ruusu.

4:54 PM: TPS is desperately looking for a leading goal, and then there is a bit of a scuffle.

4:51 PM: Jeremi Virtanen levels for the Turku team! Lukko-TPS now 1-1.

4:48 PM: No success for Lukko on the power play. The Rauma team is still in the lead.

4:44 PM: TPS faces more difficulties. Sisu-Petteri Lehtonen to the penalty box and Lukko on the power play.

4:41 PM: Santeri Virtanen’s precise wrist shot from the penalty shot goes right and Lukko takes the lead!

4:40 PM: Lukko gets a penalty shot as they are fouled on a breakaway. Santeri Virtanen to take the shot.

Second period

4:35 PM: No goals for the Rauma team from the special situation play. The game continues five-on-five fairly closely. The period ends in a scoreless tie.

4:32 PM: Sisu Yliniemi

4:31 PM: Three minutes left in the first period. The Jumbomatch is also played in 2×15 minutes.

4:28 PM: The tournament’s scoring leader with stats of 2+1, Lukas Wernblom, blocks a shot, and the puck hits him painfully around the wrist.

4:23 PM: The black team also fails to create dangerous chances on the power play, and both teams are now at full strength.

4:20 PM: Lukko has not produced anything, and the last 26 seconds of the special situation will be played four-on-four, as the home team gets a penalty. After that, it’s Teps’ turn to try the power play.

4:17 PM: Jesse Pärssinen

The Jumbofinal has begun

4:14 PM: Lukko quickly jumps into the rink after their previous game ends. In the Jumbofinal, they face TPS. The match starts at 4:15 PM, so we are about to begin.

3:54 PM: After the Jumbofinal between Lukko and TPS, the next matches are at 5:30 PM HPK against Jokerit and at 6:45 PM the second semi-final between Sport and Ässät.

3:53 PM: The tournament continues next with the Jumbofinal at 4:15 PM, where Lukko faces TPS.

The match has ended

3:51 PM: HPK also wins the shootout.

3:48 PM: HPK wins 2-0!

3:47 PM: The last minute.

3:43 PM: Lukko pulls Antti Raanta from the net. The Rauma team is looking for a goal with six against five.

3:41 PM: With Salomon’s ruling for unsportsmanlike conduct, Santeri Virtanen and Gabriel Nitz go to the box. The game continues five-on-five.

3:39 PM: Five minutes left. HPK is not in any danger right now, but in that time, they could certainly score a couple of goals.

3:35 PM: No results from Lukko’s power play. There were a couple of chances, but HPK maintains their two-goal lead.

3:31 PM: HPK gets a penalty and Lukko has a chance to score a goal, as ten minutes are left.

3:28 PM: Antti Raanta

3:27 PM: A couple of hard hits exchanged on both sides at the start of the second period. No holding back, even though it’s early August.

Second period

3:23 PM: Jokerit’s head coach Tomek Valtonen was interviewed by SuomiKiekko at the Pitsiturnaus. Valtonen spoke about the Helsinki team’s goals for the league season. You can read more HERE.

3:21 PM: The first period ends with HPK leading by two goals. At this rate, HPK would face Jokerit and Sport would meet Ässät in the semi-finals. Lukko and TPS are likely to miss the semi-finals.

3:18 PM: HPK fails to score on the power play. Three minutes left in the period.

3:15 PM: And now Lukko is shorthanded. It looks unfortunately like Lukko is on track to miss the semi-finals. HPK has a chance for a third goal.

3:13: HPK strikes 2-0! The puck seems to bounce into the net on the first attempt from a counterattack, but it didn’t go in. Viljami Jokirinne scores on the rebound.

3:11 PM: Lukko is close to scoring, but the puck just barely misses the Hämeenlinnalaiset’ net after a flipper play. The Rauma team is controlling the game, but HPK leads.

3:08 PM: HPK takes the lead with Roope Vesterinen’s goal! A beautiful wrist shot to the right and the net ripples.

3:05 PM: Heikki Liedes

The match has begun

2:57 PM: Now let’s start with the last match of the groups. HPK and Lukko are looking for their first wins and semi-final spots.

2:38 PM: The last match of the group stage will be played at 3:00 PM. In that match, HPK will face Lukko.

The match has ended

2:33 PM: The shootout is also won by Jokerit with Patrick Curryn’s stylish shot.

2:32 PM: Shootouts again! Sport starts.

2:31 PM: The buzzer sounds, Jokerit wins 1-0 and advances to the semi-finals of the Pitsiturnaus!

2:30 PM: One minute left in the second period.

2:27 PM: Jokerit fails to score on the power play. 3:30 on the game clock.

2:24: The referees have their hands up again. This time, a penalty for the Vaasalaiset.

2:22: Jokerit is at full strength, Sport fails to score on the second power play.

2:20: The Jokers get a penalty. Bruno Kallio to the box for a cross-check. Sport gets another power play.

2:16: Jokerit is at full strength. Olle Eriksson Ek made a few good saves while shorthanded.

2:13: Sport quickly gets a power play at the start of the second period.

2:12: The second period is underway.

Second period

Check out the only goal of the first period below:

2:08 PM: The buzzer sounds, the first period ends with a score of 1-0. We will continue in a couple of minutes.

2:05: Three minutes left in the first period. Jokerit still leads 1-0.

2:01: The 35-year-old veteran Joni Ortio has been solid in goal for Sport. Eight saves already made. The glove hand doesn’t seem to have slowed down over the summer.

1:59: Jokerit fails to score on the power play. Both teams are at full strength.

1:54: Jokerit is the only team to score on the power play today, apart from TPS. Still no goals.

1:53: Sport gets a penalty for holding. Jokerit goes on the power play.

1:50: Now Patrik Virta gets a breakaway and he also scores! Jokerit leads 1-0!

1:48: Forslund gets a breakaway, Ortio saves.

1:46: The puck is dropped, and Teemu Turunen is immediately in action. Turunen won the League’s scoring title in the 2023-24 season. A strong acquisition.

The match has begun

1:45: Jokerit and TPS are on the ice. The match will start very soon.

1:52: The next match will be played in 20 minutes when TPS faces Jokerit.

1:51: Today, matches will also be played in Tampere alongside Rauma. You can check the Tampere Cup match schedule below:

Also check out below the first goal of the season from Lukko:

1:35 PM: The next battle starts at 10:00 AM. It will be the first Satakunta derby of the season between Porin Ässät and Rauman Lukko.

The match has ended

1:30 PM: Due to the one-shot rule, the competition is decided on the first attempt when TPS succeeds but Sport does not.

1:29 PM: Sport and TPS are now shooting penalties.
1:28 PM: The season opener has ended. Sport defeats TPS 2-0! Next up are the penalties.

1:24: The score is 2-0 for Sport. The scorer is Isak Walther from George Diacon’s pass.

1:21: Here is the first goal of the season at 25:10! The scorer is Sport’s Eric Bürger.

1:19: Six minutes left in the first match of the day.

1:17 PM: TPS clears their first penalty of the season, both teams are at full strength.

1:15 PM: Rafkin to the penalty box. This is not new for the defender. Sport gets a power play.

1:14 PM: There are still many empty seats in the audience. However, this will surely change at 10 AM when the first Satakunta clash begins.

1:13 PM: Just over ten minutes left in the second period, still 0-0. A tight battle. Sport has been putting pressure on the Turku team’s end.

1:07: The second period begins, Sport wins the faceoff.

Second period

1:04 PM: The end of the period is spent in the corners. The score is 0-0 as we head into a couple of minutes of intermission.

12:59 PM: An excellent chance for Ruben Rafkin, but the puck goes into the back netting.

12:57 PM: TPS attacks three against one, but Joel Määttä hits the post from Ikonen’s pass.
12:54 PM: The match has begun somewhat under TPS’s control. Eight minutes left in the first 15 minutes.
12:52 PM: No goals on the power play. The game continues five-on-five.
12:50 PM: TPS’s power play percentage was 16.58% last season.
12:49: The first penalty of the season as 2:32 is on the game clock. TPS on the power play.

The match has begun

12:46: The season is underway! Sport and TPS are the first on the ice.
12:44: Turun Palloseura’s lineup for the Pitsiturnaus:
1.Aatos Koivu – Niklas Ylitalo – Otto Paajanen
2. Joel Määttä – Lars Bryggman – Jeremi Virtanen
3. Joona Ikonen – Jesse Pärssinen – Lukas Wernblom
4. Onni Rantala – Hannu Kuru – Vili Munkki
5. Sisu Yliniemi – Atte Uusikartano – Lukas Haudum
Defense: Arttu Tuhkala – Niklas Friman / Ruben Rafkin – Oliver Lauridsen / Axel Landén – Sisu-Petteri Lehtonen / Pyry Vilhunen – Alexis Binner / Verneri Virkkunen
Goalies: Markus Ruusu / Eetu Mäkiniemi / Roope Toivakka
12:43: Vaasan Sport’s lineup for the Pitsiturnaus:
1. Valtteri Toivainen – Charles Bertrand – Luke Grainger
2. Benjamin Pietilä – Anton Stråka – George Diaco
3. Kalle Östman – Isak Walther – Eetu Levänen
4. Oliver Hult – Johan Sundström – Valtteri Koivunen
5. Tim Ekman – Thierry Andrey – Elias Mourujärvi
6. Lari Heikkinen – Viljami Nieminen – Matti Härmä
7. Kalle Miketinac – Samuel Timonen – Philip Granath
Defense: Max Laatkainen – Kalle Kangas / Kalle Ervasti – Valtteri Viljanen / Theodor Johnsson – Onni Kohvakka / Eric Bürger – Emil Vänninen / Eetu Koivunen – Miika Koivisto / Simon Åkerström – Jasper Valtanen
Goalies: Joni Ortio / Masi Härkönen
12:35: Ten minutes until the start of the first match. You can still check the group stage match schedule below:

7:55 AM: Yesterday, the first women’s Pitsiturnaus in history was also played in Rauma. The first champion of the six-team tournament was Kiekko-Espoo.
7:45 AM: After each group stage match, a one-shot shootout will be held, the results of which may be needed to resolve tie situations in the group. There will be no actual overtime played in the group stage.
7:40 AM: Rauma will see a considerable number of new faces today. Lukko has acquired Peetro Seppälä and Aleksi Saarela, Ässät Carl Klingberg and Simon Pinard, TPS Niklas Friman and Joona Ikonen. Jokerit also has a whole bunch of new reinforcements.
7:26 AM: In the group stages of the Pitsiturnaus, the playing time is 2 x 15 minutes of effective play. The final will be played in 2 x 20 minutes.
7:20 AM: The first match will see Sport and TPS on the ice at 8:45 AM. This kicks off a nearly 12-hour hockey day, culminating in the final starting at 8:15 PM.
7:15 AM: Today in Rauma, we will see the first glimpses of what Jokerit’s returning team looks like among top-flight opponents.
11:30 PM: In Group A of the Pitsiturnaus, Lukko, Ässät, and HPK are playing. In Group B, Sport, TPS, and Jokerit face off.

11:28 PM: The reigning champion of the Pitsiturnaus is SaiPa, who won the last two tournaments. The host team Lukko last won in the summer of 2023.

11:26 PM: As usual, the Pitsiturnaus kicks off the hockey season early in August. This year promises to be an exciting super season, as the last three teams will be relegated to Group B and the top 14 will continue in Group A.

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