Ilves Eliminates Reigning Champion KalPa with Deciding Win in Kuopio

Ilves knocked out reigning Finnish champion KalPa to clinch a spot in the Liiga semifinals, completing the quarterfinal series 4–2 with a deciding victory in Kuopio. Jasek scored the game-winner: "We earned this victory," he said. Head coach Radek Kucerik praised the squad's effort: "Today we showed that we deserved our place in the semifinals." Tickets for the first home semifinal are now on sale. Ilves is celebrating its 95th anniversary this week, and the U20 side closed its season with a silver medal.