Patrik Bartosak back in goal for Pelicans as Liiga teams shuffle injured players

Patrik Bartosak will make his first appearance of the season for Lahti Pelicans on Saturday against HIFK. The Czech goaltender missed the start of the campaign after an injury. He was listed as Pelicans' backup against Jokerit on Tuesday and now gets the start. "It's really great to be back. It was difficult because the injury came only 7–10 days before the season started," Bartosak said in a Pelicans' Instagram video. HIFK will be without Tim Juel, who was pulled from Friday's game in the 54th minute; Hugo Alnefelt takes the net for the visitors.

KooKoo travel to face six-game winners Jukurit without starter Eetu Randelin and top forward Veeti Miettinen. Randelin injured himself in Friday's Ilves game, while Miettinen logged barely over three minutes. Jukurit drop Louis Boudon from their lineup and promote Aaro Chrons to the second-line center spot.

In Helsinki, Jokerit are missing defenceman Matthew Caito and his defensive partner Miks Tumanovs, bringing in forward Rasmus Lahnaviik and defenceman Oskari Manninen. Kiekko-Espoo counters by starting Petteri Rimpinen, who rested on Friday.

Other Saturday matches include HPK–Ässät, KalPa–Lukko, Sport–Kärpät and Tappara–SaiPa, all scheduled to begin at 17:00.

The team changes follow an earlier Tamperelainen roundup of Liiga sides reshuffling lineups ahead of weekend games.