The semifinal teams are now known as Oilers won Happee 5-2 and Westend Indians defeated TPS 2-1. Both teams won their series with 4-1 wins. The semifinal pairings are Classic – SPV and Oilers – Indians.
Oilers took the lead in the first period with a goal by Antti Suomela, and Aaro Astala grew the lead by scoring the game 2-0. Perttu Koljonen brought Happee closer with his goal, but Oilers retaliated with two goals by Heikki Iiskola and Jesper Silvonen. Koljonen scored again in the second period, bringing Happee closer yet again, but it was not enough as Elias Pekari finalized the game for Oilers with only 39 seconds left in the game.
TPS was the first team to score in Otahalli against Indians, as Tuomas Ojala lifted the ball to the net after a great pass from Waltteri Vesterinen. Indians did not falter and Samuli Huppunen tied the game before the end of first period. There were no goals in the second period. TPS player Pyry Kauppinen suffered a two minute penalty in the third period, during which Samuli Huppunen scored for Indians again, assisted by Jasper Auvinen.
The match schedule for semifinals will be announced as soon as possible. Semifinals are played with a best of seven -system, and the ground dates are April 10th – 23rd.
Espoo derby was played in semifinals last spring, when Oilers proceeded to the finals with wins 4-3 and ended up winning the championship.
In the spring 2022 and 2021 Oilers won the quarterfinal-series against Indians with wins 4-1.
In the year 2020 Indians led the quarterfinal-series against Oilers 2-1, but the corona crisis ended the season in the middle of the playoffs.
The semifinal spot is fifth in a row for Oilers. Indians has been in the top four in 2018 and 2024.
Picture by: Juha Hautakangas
