2023 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs
Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit 2023 (Finnish)
2022 Naisten Liiga playoffs
Tournament details
Venue(s)9 (in 8 host cities)
Dates25 February 2023 (2023-02-25)–25 March 2023 (2023-03-25)
FormatBest-of-five
Teams8
Defending championsKiekko-Espoo
Final positions
ChampionsHIFK Helsinki (1st title)
Runner-upKiekko-Espoo
Third placeKalPa Kuopio
Fourth placeHPK Hämeenlinna
Tournament statistics
Scoring leader(s)Michaela Pejzlová, HIFK (24 points)
MVPSanni Vanhanen, HIFK

The 2023 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs or the 2023 Naisten Liiga playoffs (Finnish: Naisten Liiga pudotuspelit 2023) is the postseason tournament of the 2022–23 season of the Naisten Liiga. The tournament began on 25 February and HIFK Helsinki were awarded the Aurora Borealis Cup on 21 March 2023.

Entering the playoffs, Kiekko-Espoo were the reigning Aurora Borealis Cup champions after winning the 2022 Naisten Liiga playoffs. At the conclusion of the 2022–23 regular season, HIFK and KalPa were favorites for the 2023 Aurora Borealis Cup finals.[1]

Bracket

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
                    
1 HIFK Helsinki 12 8 6 / 3
8 Kärpät Oulu 0 0 0 / 0
1 HIFK Helsinki 2 6 6 / 3
4 HPK Hämeenlinna 0 1 2 / 0
4 HPK Hämeenlinna 5 1 5 4 3
5 Ilves Tampere 0 5 3 2 1
1st place, gold medalist(s) HIFK Helsinki 9 4 3 3
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Kiekko-Espoo 2 0 2 0
2 KalPa Kuopio 4 5 4 / 3
7 TPS Turku 1 4 3 / 0
2 KalPa Kuopio 2 3 1 0 1 Bronze medal game
3 Kiekko-Espoo 3 2 2 2 3
3 Kiekko-Espoo 3 2 4 3 3 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) KalPa Kuopio 3
6 Team Kuortane 4 1 3 0 1 4 HPK Hämeenlinna 1

Source: Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto[2]

Quarterfinals

The best-of-five quarterfinals (Finnish: puolivälierät) began on Saturday, 25 February and concluded on Saturday, 4 March. The top eight teams from the regular season qualified for the quarterfinal round.[3] Games for three of the four series were scheduled to be played on 25 and 26 February, and 1, 4, and 5 March, with home ice advantage granted to the higher seeded teams for the first, third, and potential fifth games. The HIFK Helsinki versus Kärpät Oulu series was scheduled to be played on 25 and 26 February, and 1, 2, and 5 March with home ice advantage granted to HIFK for the first, second, and potential fifth game.[1][4]

(1) HIFK vs. (8) Kärpät

HIFK Helsinki claimed the first seed, even though they tied KalPa Kuopio with 93 points, by virtue of a higher goal difference, marking the first regular season victory in team history. Led by Michaela Pejzlová, who was the regular season top point scorer with 82 points, HIFK was an offensive powerhouse; four HIFK players finished the season ranked in the league top-ten for scoring: Pejzlová, Julia Liikala (66 points), Emilia Vesa (53 points), and Clara Rozier (49 points).[5] The team also benefitted from excellent goaltending, as starting netminder Kiia Lahtinen's 1.33 goals against average (GAA) ranked first of all goaltenders playing at least one-third of their team's minutes and her 93.6 save percentage (S-%) placed second of all starters in the league.

Oulun Kärpät struggled in the regular season, winning just seven games in regulation time and amassing a disappointing 28 points on the season to earn the eighth seed. Their totals represented a sharp decline from the previous season, in which they had claimed sixteen regulation wins and collected 52 points. Oona Havana led the team in scoring for the second consecutive season and ranked eighteenth in the league overall with 36 points in 36 games played; Havana was supported by the production of Emma Ekoluoma, who ranked 41st in the league with 24 points, and Tilli Keränen, who ranked 46th in the league with 22 points. After the 1A of Kärpät's goaltending tandem, Johanna Oksman, opted not to play in the 2022–23 season, goaltender Kati Asikainen was left with the most substantial game load in the league – she played in 29 games during the season. The increased time in net was taxing and Asikainen posted middling statistics, with an 89.4 S-% and 3.65 GAA.

HIFK and Kärpät faced one another four times during the 2022–23 season, all four games resulting in decisive victories for HIFK.[6]

The teams last met in the postseason during the semifinals of the 2022 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs, which HIFK won in three games.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00)

25 February 2023
14:30
HIFK Helsinki12  0
(3–0, 5–0, 4–0)
Kärpät OuluPirkkolan jäähalli, Helsinki
Attendance: 164
[Game reference 1]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesKati AsikainenReferee:
Henna Åberg
Linesmen:
Tomas Ramu
Santtu Semigin
Rantamäki (Vesa, Vanhanen) – 08:441–0
Vanhanen (Rantamäki, Saukkonen) – 13:042–0
Yrjölä (Rantamäki, Vesa) – 15:393–0
Rozier (Pejzlová) – 21:164–0
Vesa (Yrjölä, Pejzlová) (PP) – 26:595–0
Pejzlová (Locatelli) – 34:276–0
Vanhanen (Rantamäki, Vesa) – 36:187–0
Kemppainen (Korhonen) – 37:048–0
Vanhanen (Vesa, Saukkonen) – 44:219–0
Vesa (Yrjölä, Pejzlová) (PP) – 48:5910–0
Liikala (Saukkonen, Locatelli) – 53:5111–0
Mehtonen (Kitula, Kemppainen) – 54:4412–0
2 minPenalties4 min
56Shots15
26 February 2023
15:00
HIFK Helsinki8  0
(2–0, 4–0, 2–0)
Kärpät OuluPirkkolan jäähalli, Helsinki
Attendance: 116
[Game reference 2]
Iina KuuselaGoaliesKati AsikainenReferee:
Reetta-Kaisa Lusi
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Johanna Oksanen
Pejzlová (Liikala, Locatelli) – 08:351–0
Vanhanen (Vesa, Yrjölä) – 09:182–0
Rozier (Kemppainen) – 22:293–0
Rozier (Yrjölä, Pejzlová) – 30:114–0
Korhonen (Locatelli, Rozier) (PP) – 32:315–0
Pejzlová (Liikala) – 36:216–0
Yrjölä (Pejzlová, Liikala) – 51:287–0
Vesa (Vanhanen, Saukkonen) – 52:398–0
4 minPenalties4 min
52Shots21
1 March 2023
18:15
Kärpät Oulu0  6
(0–1, 0–3, 0–2)
HIFK HelsinkiRaksila, Oulu
Attendance: 185
[Game reference 3]
Kati AsikainenGoaliesKiia LahtinenReferee:
Johanna Tauriainen
Linesmen:
Juuso Herranen
Juhani Heikura
0–103:06 – Pejzlová (Rozier)
0–221:40 – Rantamäki (Vesa, Saukkonen)
0–329:13 – Pejzlová (Locatelli) (DP)
0–433:20 – Vanhanen (PS)
0–546:15 – Pejzlová (Vesa, Vihervuori)
0–656:38 – Liikala (Kylliäinen, Vanhanen) (EN)
16 minPenalties2 min
10Shots48

HIFK swept their quarterfinal series against Kärpät, scoring a total of 26 goals and holding Kärpät scoreless across all three games.[7] Michaela Pejzlová led all players in scoring with eleven points (6+5), followed by Emilia Vesa (3+7) and Sanni Vanhanen (5+3). Ten HIFK players scored a goal in the series: Pejzlová (6), Vanhanen (5), Vesa (3), Clara Rozier (3), Julia Liikala (2), Karoliina Rantamäki (2), Siiri Yrjölä (2), Johanna Kemppainen (1), Erica Korhonen (1), and Nenna Mehtonen (1). Goaltender Kiia Lahtinen recorded two shutouts and backup netminder Iina Kuusela recorded one.

(2) KalPa vs. (7) TPS

KalPa Kuopio secured the second seed despite tying HIFK with 93 points due to a lower goal difference. They were propelled by the elite production of left winger Elisa Holopainen, the regular season goal scoring champion, who scored 41 goals and 34 assists (75 points) in 28 regular season games before an injury in late January ended her season prematurely and kept her out of the playoffs entirely. Other major contributors to KalPa’s scoring were Jenna Kaila, who tallied 28 goals and 31 assists (59 points), and 50-point earners Jenna Hietala (29+21) and Johanna Juutilainen (14+36). Goaltender Tiina Ranne was stalwart in net, posting the best save percentage of all goaltenders playing at least one-third of their team's minutes, at 93.8%, and the second-best goals against average, at 1.67, across twenty games.

TPS Turku claimed the seventh seed with 14 regulation wins and 49 total points in their fifth Naisten Liiga season. The team had nine players who scored twenty points or more, including centre Pauliina Salonen (23+17) and Czech winger Tereza Pištěková (14+26) who both ranked in the top twenty players for points. Notable blue liners included offensive-defenders Anni Timonen (6+16) and Emmi Mourujärvi (6+14), and team performance noticeably improved when French stay-at-home defender Raphaëlle Grenier, who was held to 19 games played due to injury, was in the lineup.[8] Number one goaltender from the 2021–22 season Erica Jaskari was sidelined for the entire season and backup netminders Sari Saarinen and Tea Koljonen struggled with the added game load; both posted save percentages in the eighties and goals against average above 3.35 on the season.

KalPa swept all four matches in the season series with TPS, though their first meeting was pushed to the shootout before a goal from Liisa Kastikainen concluded the game in KalPa’s favor.[6]

KalPa and TPS had never met in the playoffs prior to this series.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00)

25 February 2023
12:30
KalPa Kuopio4  1
(0–0, 2–1, 2–0)
TPS TurkuNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 89
[Game reference 4]
Tiina RanneGoaliesSuvi SaarinenReferee:
Sini Kauhanen
Linesmen:
Mikko Niskanen
Joonas Heinonen
0–122:13 – Viitala (Keskisarja, Hotová)
Rantala (Jo. Juutilainen, Kaila) – 31:121–1
Rantanen (Kaila, Jo. Juutilainen) – 35:012–1
Hietala (Kastikainen, Rantala) – 54:573–1
Kaila (Jo. Juutilainen, Rantala) (EN) – 59:334–1
0 minPenalties2 min
28Shots16
26 February 2023
14:30
TPS Turku4  5
(1–4, 2–0, 1–1)
KalPa KuopioKupittaa, Turku
Attendance: 60
[Game reference 5]
Suvi Saarinen
Mila Houni
GoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Jenni Jaatinen
Linesmen:
Joni Kohomäki
Mari Vukelic
0–106:32 – Jo. Juutilainen (Kaila, Rantanen) (DP)
0–207:04 – Paroinen
0–307:22 – Koljonen
Pištěková (Salonen) – 13:311–3
1–419:40 – Hietala (Koljonen)
Allinen (Pištěková, Lukkarila) – 35:482–4
Mourujärvi (Allinen) (PP) – 38:173–4
3–544:44 – Rantanen (Rantala, Kaila)
Grenier (Välikangas, Mourujärvi) – 53:454–5
6 minPenalties6 min
42Shots33
1 March 2023
18:30
KalPa Kuopio4  3
(1–0, 2–1, 1–2)
TPS TurkuNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 122
[Game reference 6]
Tiina RanneGoaliesTea KoljonenReferee:
Sini Kauhanen
Linesmen:
Patrik Jokinen
Helinä Anttila
Kaila (Koljonen, Ad. Makkonen) (PP) – 09:501–0
1–121:42 – Viitala (Pištěková, Välikangas)
Jo. Juutilainen (Mäkelä, Rantala) (PP) – 34:462–1
Hietala (Kortelainen) – 39:393–1
3–241:33 – Udeh (Allinen)
Kortelainen (Jo. Juutilainen, Rantala) – 55:014–2
4–357:04 – Timonen (Metsä-Tokila)
6 minPenalties6 min
31Shots30

KalPa won the series in three games. However, unlike the dramatically lopsided HIFK vs. Kärpät series, two of three games in this series ended with a goal difference of just one.[9] In the first game, Susanna Viitala opened scoring on what would stand as TPS’ only goal of the match, as it was followed by four KalPa goals from Sanni Rantala, Salla Rantanen, Jenna Hietala, and Jenna Kaila; Johanna Juutilainen earned assists on three of the four goals.[10] Scoring in the second match began with three goals on TPS goaltender Suvi Saarinen in under a minute, starting just after the six and half minute mark with a delayed penalty goal by Johanna Juutilainen and quickly followed by unassisted goals from Veera Paroinen and Tanja Koljonen; Saarinen was replaced in net by Mila Houni following Koljonen's goal. TPS managed to come within one goal of KalPa two times as the match went on, notching goals from Tereza Pištěková, Heli Allinen, Emmi Mourujärvi, and Raphaëlle Grenier, but KalPa held their lead with goals scored by Hietala and Rantanen.[11] The series concluded on the most balanced game of the three – though TPS never held the lead, they kept the score at a tie for nearly fifteen minutes and played a majority of the game trailing KalPa by just one goal. TPS third goaltender Tanja Koljonen was selected to backstop the team and Viitala, Uche Udeh, and Anni Timonen lit the lamp for TPS. KalPa tallied two power play goals, scored by Kaila and Johanna Juutilainen, and two regular strength goals, by Hietala and Kaisla Kortelainen, to punch their ticket to the semifinals.[12]

(3) K-Espoo vs. (6) Kuortane

Defending Aurora Borealis Cup champions Kiekko-Espoo ranked third in the regular season, ending the team’s reign as the top team in the regular season over the previous four seasons, due in large part to the dramatic number of player departures following the 2022 Finnish Championship, which included six of the previous season’s top-ten point scorers and team captain Minttu Tuominen. In their absence, several young players staged breakout seasons: Anni-Elina Montonen ranked tenth in the league with 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points, Sofia Nuutinen ranked fifteenth with 25 assists and 39 points, and seventeen year old Julia Schalin tallied 17 goals and 30 points. Newly-appointed captain Emmi Rakkolainen was the team’s top performing centre, posting 38 points in 29 games played. Starting netminder Tiia Pajarinen, MVP of the 2021 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs, ranked second for goals against average of all goaltenders playing at least one-third of their team's minutes, at 1.66 GAA, and fifth for save percentage, at 92.1%, across 21 games played.

Team Kuortane secured the sixth seed on account of their excellent goaltending. Despite being the lowest scoring team to qualify for the playoffs – they amassed just 91 goals on the season – Team Kuortane finished the season with a positive goal difference and won as many games as they lost (wins+OTW=18; losses+OTL=18). Emilia Kyrkkö played 24 games in net and faced nearly 700 shots while maintaining a 92.5 save percentage, good for fourth of all goaltenders playing at least one-third of their team's minutes, and 2.35 goals against average, which ranked sixth. Backup entminter Venla Varis played ten games and recorded a save percentage of 90.1%, 2.63 goals against average, and a shutout. Team Kuortane’s top scorers were Nea Tervonen (32 points), Sinna Varjonen (21 points), Neea Pelkonen (19 points), and Sofianna Sundelin, who scored 10 goals and 8 assists in just fourteen games played after injury kept her sidelined for much of the season.[1]

Kiekko-Espoo and Team Kuortane faced one another four times during the 2022–23 regular season; Kiekko-Espoo won three of the four matches.[6]

The teams last met in the 2021 Aurora Borealis Cup quarterfinals, which Kiekko-Espoo swept in two games.

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00)

25 February 2023
13:00
Kiekko-Espoo3  4
(1–0, 2–3, 0–1)
Team KuortaneTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 89
[Game reference 7]
Minja DrufvaGoaliesEmilia KyrkköReferee:
Jenni Jaatinen
Linesmen:
Ilona Silander
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Aro – 00:541–0
1–123:08 – Sundelin (Tervonen)
Rakkolainen (Villilä, Schalin) (PP) – 28:462–1
2–233:55 – Lehmus (Mustonen, Varjonen)
Täks (Holmström) – 35:323–2
3–337:24 – Lehmus (Kari, Mustonen) (PP)
3–446:05 – Sundelin (Pelkonen)
8 minPenalties10 min
40Shots29
26 February 2023
15:00
Team Kuortane1  2 OT
(0–1, 1–0, 0–0)
(OT: 0–1)
Kiekko-EspooKuortaneen jäähalli, Kuortane
Attendance: 80
[Game reference 8]
Emilia KyrkköGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Joonas Nurmi
Linesmen:
Joakim Rinta-Paavola
Lassi Mukkala
0–110:09 – Talvitie (Vuosalmi, Nuutinen)
Sundelin – 22:001–1
1–268:09 – Nuutinen (Aro, Haukijärvi)
4 minPenalties2 min
48Shots21
1 March 2023
19:10
Kiekko-Espoo4  3 OT
(1–0, 0–1, 2–2)
(OT: 1–0)
Team KuortaneTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 152
[Game reference 9]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesEmilia KyrkköReferee:
Akos Berger
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Johanna Oksanen
Montonen (Schalin, Rakkolainen) – 11:321–0
1–124:58 – Tallinen (Mustonen, Pelkonen (PP)
1–243:06 – Byskata (Sundelin, Tervonen)
Nuutinen (Rakkolainen, Villilä) (PP) – 49:362–2
2–352:01 – Kokora
Nuutinen (Villilä, Valkjärvi) (PP) – 58:043–3
Schalin (Villilä, Nuutinen) (PP) – 60:354–3
10 minPenalties10 min
52Shots28
4 March 2023
15:00
Team Kuortane0  3
(0–1, 0–2, 0–0)
Kiekko-EspooKuortaneen jäähalli, Kuortane
Attendance: 80
[Game reference 10]
Emilia KyrkköGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Joonas Nurmi
Linesmen:
Mika Pajunen
Joakim Rinta-Paavola
0–111:19 – Nuutinen (Schalin, Rakkolainen)
0–228:05 – Nuutinen (Schalin, Villilä)
0–338:27 – Rakkolainen (Nuutinen, Holmström)
2 minPenalties6 min
18Shots49

Kiekko-Espoo won the series in four games.


(4) HPK vs. (5) Ilves

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00)

25 February 2023
14:00
HPK Hämeenlinna5  0
(1–0, 2–0, 2–0)
Ilves TampereHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 160
[Game reference 11]
Noora RätyGoaliesJuuli KivimäkiReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Veeti Hurme
Topi Laurila
Matejková (H. Seikkula) – 17:041–0
Mäkivaara (Záborská, Lehto) – 24:322–0
Erbanová (H. Seikkula, K. Seikkula) – 25:153–0
K. Seikkula (Matejková, H. Seikkula) – 45:244–0
Lehto (Koukkula, Ahlskog) (PP) – 52:505–0
10 minPenalties10 min
24Shots33
26 February 2023
14:45
Ilves Tampere5  1
(2–0, 3–0, 0–1)
HPK HämeenlinnaTesoman jäähalli, Tampere
Attendance: 125
[Game reference 12]
Juuli KivimäkiGoaliesSalla SivulaReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Linnea Sainio
Tiina Saarimäki
Narinen (Rouhiainen, Mylläri) (PP) – 08:081–0
Kaitala (Mylläri, Puputti) – 16:132–0
Puputti (Kaitala, Varpula) – 34:593–0
T. Ollikainen (Melotindos, Timonen) – 37:584–0
Mylläri (Melotindos, Narinen) – 39:485–0
5–141:59 – Matejková (K. Seikkula)
6 minPenalties10 min
36Shots21
1 March 2023
18:45
HPK Hämeenlinna5  3
(2–0, 2–1, 1–2)
Ilves TampereHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 90
[Game reference 13]
Noora RätyGoaliesJuuli Kivimäki
Neea Pohjamo
Referee:
Kaisa Ketonen
Linesmen:
Tiina Saarimäki
Linnea Sainio
H. Seikkula (Matejková, K. Seikkula) – 06:191–0
Viitala – 14:212–0
2–129:51 – V. Ollikainen (SH)
Skog (Matejková, K. Seikkula) (PP2) – 38:593–1
Ahlskog (Juříčková, Záborská) (PP) – 39:234–1
Matejková (PS) – 41:365–1
5–257:32 – Melotindos (Mylläri, Rouhiainen)
5–358:58 – Mylläri (Melotindos, Rouhiainen)
14 minPenalties12 min
27Shots25
4 March 2023
12:00
Ilves Tampere2  4
(1–0, 0–0, 1–4)
HPK HämeenlinnaTesoman jäähalli, Tampere
Attendance: 100
[Game reference 14]
Juuli KivimäkiGoaliesNoora RätyReferee:
Kaisa Ketonen
Linesmen:
Jere Kaijanen
Tiina Saarimäki
Kaitala (Siira) – 17:461–0
1–142:40 – Matejková (PS)
1–243:30 – Mäkivaara (Lehto, Záborská)
1–345:13 – Erbanová (H. Seikkula, Matejková)
Varpula (Kaitala) (PP) – 51:572–3
2–459:14 – Lehto (EN)
4 minPenalties10 min
40Shots36

HPK won the series in four games.[13]

Quarterfinal statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in quarterfinal points at the conclusion of the quarterfinals on Saturday, 4 March.[14]

Note: This table includes games played during the quarterfinals only. For cumulative playoff totals, see Player statistics.

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Michaela Pejzlová HIFK 365110
Emilia Vesa HIFK 337100
Sanni Vanhanen HIFK 35380
Sofia Nuutinen K-Espoo 45380
Júlia Matejková HPK 44482
Jenna Kaila KalPa 33470
Siiri Yrjölä HIFK 22460
Johanna Juutilainen KalPa 32460
Sanni Rantala KalPa 31564
Clara Rozier HIFK 33250
Karoliina Rantamäki HIFK 32350
Julia Liikala HIFK 32352
Emmi Rakkolainen K-Espoo 42352
Noora Mylläri Ilves 42356
Julia Schalin K-Espoo 41450
Heta Seikkula HPK 41450
Kiti Seikkula HPK 41454

The following skaters were the top point scorers of teams not represented in the scoring leader table at the conclusion of the quarterfinals on 4 March 2023, noted with their overall league scoring rank:

  • 21. Sofianna Sundelin (F), Kuortane: 4 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 5 Pts, 2 PIM
  • 27. Heli Allinen (D), TPS: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, 0 PIM
    Tereza Pištěková (F), TPS: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, 0 PIM

Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders had played at least two periods of a quarterfinal match at the conclusion of quarterfinals on Saturday, 4 March, sorted by save percentage.[15]

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
Kiia Lahtinen HIFK 2 120:00 202502100.00.00
Inna Kuusela HIFK 1 60:00 102101100.00.00
Noora Räty HPK 3 180:00 30935194.91.67
Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 3 188:44 30634194.01.27
Emilia Kyrkkö Kuortane 4 248:00 1317712093.72.90
Mila Houni TPS 1 51:12 01212091.32.34
Tiina Ranne KalPa 3 180:00 30808090.92.67
Juuli Kivimäki Ilves 4 218:55 138813087.13.56
Tea Koljonen TPS 1 60:00 01274087.14.11
Salla Sivula HPK 1 60:00 01315086.15.00
Kati Asikainen Kärpät 3 177:46 0313125084.08.44
Suvi Saarinen TPS 2 65:15 01306083.35.52
Minja Drufva K-Espoo 1 59:10 01144077.84.06

Semifinals

The best-of-five semifinals (Finnish: välierät) will began on Tuesday, 7 March and concluded on Sunday, 12 March 2023.

(1) HIFK vs. (4) HPK

[16][17]

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00)

7 March 2023
19:00
HIFK Helsinki2  0
(0–0, 1–0, 1–0)
HPK HämeenlinnaPirkkolan jäähalli, Helsinki
Attendance: 179
[Game reference 15]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesNoora RätyReferee:
Henna Åberg
Linesmen:
Johanna Oksanen
Helinä Anttila
Pejzlová (Rantamäki, Liikala) – 39:341–0
Pejzlová (Liikala) (EN) – 59:362–0
4 minPenalties2 min
37Shots21
9 March 2023
18:45
HPK Hämeenlinna1  6
(0–0, 1–3, 0–3)
HIFK HelsinkiHämeenlinnan harjoitushalli, Hämeenlinna
Attendance: 150
[Game reference 16]
Noora RätyGoaliesKiia LahtinenReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Linnea Sainio
Tiina Saarimäki
0–124:06 – Saukkonen (Vanhanen)
0–229:42 – Liikala (Pejzlová, Locatelli) (VR)
0–333:37 – Rozier (Kylliäinen, Vesa (VR)
Matejková (Erbanová) – 38:321–3
1–441:24 – Vanhanen
1–555:40 – Pejzlová (EN)
1–659:00 – Vesa (Vanhanen) (SH, EN)
4 minPenalties4 min
21Shots37
11 March 2023
15:00
HIFK Helsinki6  2
(2–0, 2–1, 2–1)
HPK HämeenlinnaTöölö 2, Helsinki
Attendance: 182
[Game reference 17]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesNoora RätyReferee:
Henna Åberg
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Helinä Anttila
Rozier (Vanhanen, Vesa) – 16:341–0
Kemppainen (Yrjölä, Liikala) (PP) – 18:522–0
Vanhanen (Vesa) – 30:493–0
3–133:52 – Stoltenberg (Matejková, Mäkivaara)
Korhonen (Pejzlová, Kitula) – 39:044–1
Liikala (Pejzlová, Rantamäki) – 42:375–1
Rantamäki (Pejzlová, Saukkonen) – 56:436–1
6–257:21 – K. Seikkula (VR)
6 minPenalties2 min
35Shots24


(2) KalPa vs. (3) K-Espoo

All times local, Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00) during 8–11 March and Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+03:00) during 12 March

8 March 2023
18:00
KalPa Kuopio2  3 OT
(1–2, 0–0, 1–0)
(OT: 0–1)
Kiekko-EspooNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 161
[Game reference 18]
Tiina RanneGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Johanna Tauriainen
Linesmen:
Santeri Smahl
Juuso Herranen
Kaila (Rantanen, Rantala) – 03:211–0
1–103:56 – Montonen (Täks)
1–211:36 – Täks (Aro, Schalin)
Jo. Juutilainen (Rantala, Rantanen) (DP) – 49:302–2
2–360:23 – Rakkolainen (Villilä, Montonen)
2 minPenalties4 min
29Shots21
9 March 2023
18:45
Kiekko-Espoo2  3 OT
(1–1, 1–1, 0–0)
(OT: 0–1)
KalPa KuopioTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 86
[Game reference 19]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Reetta-Kaisa Lusi
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Johanna Oksanen
0–104:37 – Kastikainen (Pohjala)
Katajamäki (Holmström) – 05:141–1
1–221:05 – Hietala (Rantanen)
Nuutinen (Rakkolainen) – 35:292–2
2–360:42 – Jo. Juutilainen (Rantanen, Kaila)
2 minPenalties2 min
31Shots21
11 March 2023
12:30
KalPa Kuopio1  2 OT
(1–1, 0–0, 0–0)
(OT: 0–1)
Kiekko-EspooNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 158
[Game reference 20]
Tiina RanneGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Johanna Tauriainen
Linesmen:
Santeri Smahl
Juuso Herranen
0–102:06 – Rakkolainen (Nuutinen, Schalin)
Rantanen (Jo. Juutilainen, Rantala) (PP) – 12:041–1
1–260:55 – Täks (Zielińska) (VR)
12 minPenalties4 min
19Shots30
12 March 2023
15:45
Kiekko-Espoo2  0
(1–0, 1–0, 0–0)
KalPa KuopioTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 146
[Game reference 21]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesTiina RanneReferee:
Reetta-Kaisa Lusi
Linesmen:
Salla-Maaria Raitala
Johanna Oksanen
Schalin (Nuutinen, Villilä) (PP) – 13:191–0
Villilä (Schalin, Rakkolainen) (PP) – 23:442–0
2 minPenalties10 min
35Shots24

Third seed Kiekko-Espoo unexpectedly won the series against second seed KalPa in four games, proceeding to their fifth consecutive Aurora Borealis Cup finals.[18]

Semifinal statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in points scored in the semifinals at the conclusion of the series on Sunday, 12 March.

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 32570
Julia Liikala HIFK 32350
Sanni Vanhanen HIFK 32350
Salla Rantanen KalPa 41450
Emmi Rakkolainen K-Espoo 42240
Emilia Vesa HIFK 31340
Julia Schalin K-Espoo 41340
Johanna Juutilainen KalPa 42132
Lisette Täks K-Espoo 42130
Karoliina Rantamäki HIFK 31230
Sofia Nuutinen K-Espoo 41230
Tea Villilä K-Espoo 41230
Sanni Rantala KalPa 40330
Clara Rozier HIFK 32022
Júlia Matejková HPK 31124
Michaela Saukkonen HIFK 31126


Bronze medal game

The Aurora Borealis Cup bronze medal game (Finnish: pronssiottelu) was played on Saturday, 18 March 2023. KalPa won the game and claimed the fourth Finnish Championship bronze medal in team history.[19]

Game time local, Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+03:00)

18 March 2023
12:00
KalPa Kuopio3  1
(1–1, 1–0, 1–0)
HPK HämeenlinnaNiirala, Kuopio
Attendance: 236
[Game reference 22]
Tiina RanneGoaliesNoora RätyReferee:
Johanna Tauriainen
Linesmen:
Linnea Sainio
Tiina Saarimäki
Kortelainen (Koljonen) – 01:201–0
1–113:57 – Matejková (Juříčková)
Rantanen (Kaila, Knee) (VR) – 31:122–1
Rantala (EN) – 59:323–1
4 minPenalties2 min
34Shots17

Finals

The best-of-five Finnish Championship finals (Finnish: Suomen mestaruus finaalit or SM-finaalit) or grand finale (Finnish: loppuottelut) began on Saturday, 18 March and the Aurora Borealis Cup will be awarded no later than 25 March 2023.

All times local, Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+03:00)

18 March 2023
16:30
HIFK Helsinki9  2
(2–1, 3–0, 4–1)
Kiekko-EspooPirkkolan jäähalli, Helsinki
Attendance: 274
[Game reference 23]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesTiia Pajarinen
Minja Drufva
Referee:
Henna Åberg
Linesmen:
Johanna Oksanen
Helinä Anttila
Liikala (Yrjölä, Pejzlová) (PP) – 12:571–0
Liikala (Pejzlová) (SH) – 14:022–0
2–119:08 – Zielińska (Montonen, Katajamäki) (PP)
Vanhanen (Rozier, Locatelli) – 31:013–1
Vesa (Vanhanen) – 32:104–1
Vesa (Vanhanen, Korhonen) – 37:185–1
Rozier (Vesa) – 45:536–1
Pejzlová (Liikala) – 53:287–1
Rantamäki (Pejzlová, Yrjölä) – 53:288–1
8–254:10 – Haukijärvi (Täks, Aro)
Vanhanen (Liikala, Rantamäki) – 55:079–2
4 minPenalties12 min
28Shots16
19 March 2023
16:15
Kiekko-Espoo0  4
(0–1, 0–2, 0–1)
HIFK HelsinkiTapiola 2, Espoo
Attendance: 269
[Game reference 24]
Tiia PajarinenGoaliesKiia LahtinenReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Tiina Saarimäki
Salla-Maaria Raitala
0–113:22 – Vanhanen (Vesa, Rozier)
0–236:32 – Mehtonen (Rantamäki) (DP)
0–337:31 – Vesa (Yrjölä, Pejzlová) (PP)
0–443:00 – Locatelli (Rozier) (PP)
10 minPenalties6 min
21Shots23
21 March 2023
18:00
HIFK Helsinki3  2
(1–1, 1–0, 1–1)
Kiekko-EspooTöölö, Helsinki
Attendance: 1,311
[Game reference 25]
Kiia LahtinenGoaliesTiia PajarinenReferee:
Anniina Nurmi
Linesmen:
Tiina Saarimäki
Salla-Maaria Raitala
0–116:01 – Täks (Katajamäki) (VR)
Vanhanen (Rantamäki, Rozier) (PP) – 18:501–1
Pejzlová (Liikala, Rantamäki) – 32:552–1
2–258:26 – Rakkolainen (Valkjärvi) (EA)
Vanhanen (Rozier, Liikala) (VR) – 59:243–2
12 minPenalties12 min
24Shots32

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players were the playoff point leaders at the conclusion of the playoffs on Tuesday, 21 March 2023.[20]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Michaela Pejzlová HIFK 91113242
Sanni Vanhanen HIFK 9128200
Emilia Vesa HIFK 9712190
Julia Liikala HIFK 9610164
Clara Rozier HIFK 967134
Karoliina Rantamäki HIFK 949130
Júlia Matejková HPK 865116
Sofia Nuutinen K-Espoo 1165110
Emmi Rakkolainen K-Espoo 1155108
Jenna Kaila KalPa 846102
Siiri Yrjölä HIFK 828100
Sanni Rantala KalPa 828104
Salla Rantanen KalPa 84590
Johanna Juutilainen KalPa 84592
Julia Schalin K-Espoo 112792

Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders had played at least thirty minutes or half a playoff match at the conclusion of games played Sunday, 19 March, sorted by save percentage.[21]

  Team eliminated in quarterfinals
Player Team GP TOI W L SA GA SO SV% GAA
Inna Kuusela HIFK 1 60:00 102101100.00.00
Kiia Lahtinen HIFK 7 420:00 701235496.10.71
Emilia Kyrkkö Kuortane 4 248:00 1317712093.72.90
Noora Räty HPK 7 414:34 3421918192.42.61
Tiina Ranne KalPa 8 480:20 5321218092.2.25
Mila Houni TPS 1 51:12 01212091.32.34
Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 9 527:17 6317019289.92.16
Juuli Kivimäki Ilves 4 218:55 138813087.13.56
Tea Koljonen TPS 1 58:22 01274087.14.11
Salla Sivula HPK 1 60:00 01315086.15.00
Kati Asikainen Kärpät 3 177:46 0313125084.08.44
Suvi Saarinen TPS 2 65:15 01306083.35.52
Minja Drufva K-Espoo 2 79:10 01248075.06.06

References

  1. 1 2 3 Seppä, Lassi (24 February 2023). "HIFK ja KalPa sarjojensa suursuosikit Naisten Liigan puolivälierissä, HPK:n ja Ilveksen kohtaaminen on ennakkoon äärimmäisen tiukka". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. "2022-2023 Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  3. "Naisten Sarjajärjestelmät 22-23" (DOCX). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 28 April 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  4. Hirvonen, Hinni (19 February 2023). "HIFK nousi viime hetkillä runkosarjan voittoon, KalPa kärsii ykköshyökkääjänsä poissaolosta – katso tästä Naisten Liigan puolivälieräparit". Yle Urheilu (in Finnish). Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  5. Hirvonen, Hinni (19 February 2023). "HIFK nousi viime hetkillä runkosarjan voittoon, KalPa kärsii ykköshyökkääjänsä poissaolosta – katso tästä Naisten Liigan puolivälieräparit". Yle Urheilu. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Löfman, Heikki (22 February 2023). "Naisten Liiga: Pudotuspelit käyntiin – näin puolivälieräparit mittelivät runkosarjassa". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  7. Teiskonlahti, Riku (1 March 2023). "HIFK välieriin Naisten liigassa suvereenilla esityksellä – Kärpät ei tehnyt sarjassa maaliakaan". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. Savela, Timo (2 March 2023). "Hyvää, huonoa ja runsaasti uutta: TPS menestyi vahvuuksillaan Naisten Liigassa, muttei kyennyt petraamaan heikkouksiaan riittävästi". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  9. Leskinen, Kari (1 March 2023). "TPS:n naiset lähtivät lomanviettoon Kuopiosta: KalPa suuntaa välieriin". Turun Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  10. Seppä, Lassi (25 February 2023). "Kuortane haki vierasryöstön Kiekko-Espoolta Naisten Liigan puolivälierissä, HPK avasi Ilves-sarjan vakuuttavasti − "Nousimme aina vain uudestaan"". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  11. Seppä, Lassi (26 February 2023). "Ilveksen ja HPK:n eriskummallinen puolivälieräsarja sai jatkoa Naisten Liigassa, KalPa joutui pulaan Turussa − "Olimme tänään oikeasti yhtenäinen joukkue"". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  12. Seppä, Lassi (1 March 2023). "Kiekko-Espoo ja Kuortane tarjosivat jälleen jatkoaikatrillerin Naisten Liigassa, HPK kaatoi Ilveksen dramaattisessa ottelussa − "Kun on välineet käytössä niin en ymmärrä, miksi niitä ei käytetä"". Jatkoaika (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  13. Lainesalo, Joonas (4 March 2023). "HPK:n naiset kaatoivat Ilveksen kolmannen kerran ja jatkavat kauttaan mitalipeleissä – "Daamit laittoivat viimeisessä erässä luita likoon"". Hämeen Sanomat. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  14. "2022–2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga, pudotuspelit: Pelaajatilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  15. "2022–2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga, pudotuspelit: Maalivahtitilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  16. Koivunen, Pertti (7 March 2023). ""Hieman raikkautta voittoon saakka venyminen vielä kaipaa" – HPK:n naiset aloittivat tappiolla liigavälierät". Hämeen Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  17. Lainesalo, Joonas (11 March 2023). "HPK:n naisten joukkueen kausi päättyy pronssiottelussa – "Yrityksen puutteesta ei voi syyttää"". Hämeen Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  18. Löfman, Heikki (12 March 2023). "Kiekko-Espoo finaaleihin – espoolaisylivoima KalPan turma". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  19. Löfman, Heikki (18 March 2023). "KalPa juhlii pronssia – HPK taipui Niiralassa". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  20. "2022–2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga, pudotuspelit: Pelaajatilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  21. "2022–2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liiga, pudotuspelit: Maalivahtitilastot" (XLS). Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

Game references

  1. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 1. La 25.02.2023 HIFK - Kärpät". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  2. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 2. Su 26.02.2023 HIFK - Kärpät". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  3. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 3. Ke 01.03.2023 Kärpät - HIFK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  4. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 1. La 25.02.2023 KalPa - TPS". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  5. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 2. Su 26.02.2023 TPS - KalPa". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  6. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 3. Ke 01.03.2023 KalPa - TPS". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  7. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 1. La 25.02.2023 K-Espoo - Kuortane". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  8. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 2. Su 26.02.2023 Kuortane - K-Espoo". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  9. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 3. Ke 01.03.2023 K-Espoo - Kuortane". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  10. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 4. La 04.03.2023 Kuortane - K-Espoo". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  11. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 1. La 25.02.2023 HPK - Ilves". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  12. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 2. Su 26.02.2023 Ilves - HPK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  13. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 3. Ke 01.03.2023 HPK - Ilves". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  14. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Puolivälierät: 4. La 04.03.2023 Ilves - HPK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  15. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Välierät: 1. Ti 07.03.2023 HIFK - HPK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 7 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  16. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Välierät: 2. To 09.03.2023 HPK - HIFK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 9 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  17. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Välierät: 3. La 11.03.2023 HIFK - HPK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  18. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Välierät: 1. Ke 08.03.2023 KalPa - K-Espoo". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  19. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Välierät: 2. To 09.03.2023 K-Espoo - KalPa". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 9 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  20. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Välierät: 3. La 11.03.2023 KalPa - K-Espoo". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  21. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Välierät: 4. Su 12.03.2023 K-Espoo - KalPa". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  22. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Pronssiottelu: 1. La 18.03.2023 KalPa - HPK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  23. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Loppuottelut: 1. La 18.03.2023 HIFK - K-Espoo". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  24. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Loppuottelut: 2. Su 19.03.2023 K-Espoo - HIFK". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  25. "2022-2023 Naisten Liiga, Naisten Liigan pudotuspelit: Loppuottelut: 3. Ti 21.03.2023 HIFK - K-Espoo". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
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