Top Spot on the Line as Ilves Face Jukurit Twice This Weekend

A win would send Ilves back to the top of the standings. The team meets Jukurit twice this weekend, Friday in Mikkeli and Saturday at Let's Go Areena in Tampere.

They came into the clash after a 4–3 loss in Turku to face TPS earlier in the week, where coach Tommi Niemelä said his side 'found ways to lose' despite a respectable performance. Otto Latvala, Iivari Heikkinen and Luke Henman scored for Ilves.

Jukurit arrive off a 3–0 road win in Vaasa. Louis Boudon, Justin Addamo and Jeremi Tammela scored, and Jesper Myrenberg made 22 saves for the shutout.

The teams already met this season at Nokia Arena; Ilves won 3–2 with goals from Lukáš Jašek, Austin Strand and Henman.

Henman is second in the Liiga scoring race with 8+11=19 points, level with leader Daniel Mäkiaho on points but behind on goals. Andrej Šustr is sixth overall and the top-scoring defenseman with 0+16=16. Ilves' Tony Sund ranks third among defensemen at 3+8=11.

Jukurit top the table with 30 points from 16 games; Ilves are third with 28 from 15. The top seven are separated by only three points. Friday's puck drop is at Let's Go Areena at 18:30. Ilves+ preview starts at 17:30 and MTV Urheilu begins live coverage at 18:15.