No Joking Matter

WHILE MUCH OF THE ATTENTION IN FINLAND’S SECOND DIVISION WAS ON JOKERIT’S RETURN TO FINNISH HOCKEY, IT WAS IPK WHO REIGNED SUPREME

– RISTO PAKARINEN

BEFORE THE SEASON, ALL eyes were on Finland’s second-tier Mestis because Jokerit returned to the Finnish league system after withdrawing from the KHL during the 2021-22 playoffs and not icing a team at all last season. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Helsinki club also lost its home arena, which is owned by Russian oligarchs, and had to split its home games between the old Helsinki arena and a 1,200-seat rink in the suburbs. Regardless, Jokerit finished third, 14 points behind a mighty IPK squad that won the regular-season title and then went all the way in the playoffs. Based out of Iisalmi, 250 miles northeast of Helsinki, IPK went the full seven games in the semifinal against Hermes (who ousted Jokerit in six games). The final was another seven-game…

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The Hockey News (Digital) - 1 Issue, Champions Issue 2024

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