Ilves host KalPa in Hakametsä preseason clash Thursday

Ilves open their third of four preseason games on Thursday at Hakametsä, where they will host KalPa. The match starts at 17:45 and will be streamed live on ILVES+.

Ilves began its preseason at the Tampere Cup, finishing third after a 3–2 overtime loss to local rival Tappara and a 1–0 shootout win over HIFK in the bronze match. John Nyberg and Arttu Niskanen scored against Tappara, and Matic Török converted the decisive shootout penalty. KalPa has played two warm-ups of its own: a 3–2 shootout win over Jukurit, where Konsta Kapanen scored in regulation and in the shootout, and a 3–2 shootout loss to Kärpät, with Juuso Mäenpää and Könönen on the scoresheet.

They met four times in last season’s regular season; KalPa won the opener, Ilves the next three. Ilves then eliminated KalPa from the playoffs 4–2 to reach the semifinals in April.

KalPa made several roster changes over the summer. Departures include Patrick Curry, Filip Westerlund, Jaakko Lantta, Benjamin Korhonen, Andreas Okany, Tim Södelund Leger and goaltender Talyn Boyko. Arrivals include Rasmus Korhonen, Joonas Lyytinen, Mitja Jokinen, Jesper Kotajärvi, Jesper Piitulainen, Otto Somppi, Samuel Jung and Elias Vilén.

Tickets are valid for Tampere region public transport (Nyssen) from three hours before until five hours after puck drop. Single tickets and season packages are on sale via ilves.lippu.fi, Lippupiste outlets and the Nokia Arena Ilves Shop.

ILVES+ subscribers can watch the live broadcast with commentary by Mikko Aaltonen. The service offers combined hockey and football subscriptions, as well as sport-specific and discounted season-ticket pricing.