Ilves shuts out Kärpät as Järvinen scores twice

Ilves beat Kärpät 2–0 in their final preseason game in Tampere. It was the club's final Hakametsä warm‑up before the Liiga season the club had billed as their last dress rehearsal. Captain Jan‑Mikael Järvinen, who rejoined Ilves this summer after 19 seasons away, scored both goals to seal the victory.

Goalkeeper Christoffer Rifalk made 29 saves to keep a clean sheet. Ilves finished the preseason having conceded just three goals across four friendlies, and opponents were scoreless in their last three matches.

The goals came at 21:09, when Järvinen redirected a delivery from Jarkko Parikka, and at 50:16, a quick finish from Matic Török after a pass from Austin Strand. Attendance was 1,441.

Ilves now head into the 2026–2027 Liiga season with a five-game road trip against Lukko, Ässät, HPK, Kärpät and KalPa. They open at home in Nokia Arena on Friday 25 September against KooKoo. Match tickets go on sale Monday 31 August at 12:00 via Ilves' ticket shop, Lippupiste outlets and the Nokia Arena Ilves Shop.