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HPK crowned champion
Ässät loses their first home game in this years playoffs at a crucial time
HPK Hämeenlinna archieved their first championship in SM-Liiga, after playing playing four years in a row in the bronze game. Ässät Pori fought bravely, but lost the fouth final 4-1 and the series with it.
Neither team was one of the favorites for the gold and both have been less succesful in the past decades. HPK has won plenty of silverware, no brigter than bronze since 1993 though. Ässät was the biggest suprise in the playoffs, beating two big candidates for the championship, Tappara Tampere and Kärpät Oulu.
HPK took the early lead with a goal by Janne Lahti only three minutes of the game. This naturally passified the attempts, though opportunities were handed to them. The game was played evenly, but a cold shower was in store for Ässät: Jukka-Pekka Laamanen gave his team a two goal advantage only a second before the second intermission. Ässät bounced back and scored early in the third, but goal from Jyrki Louhi made the opposition desperate. An empty netter on the last minute of the match was the prelude for HPK celebrations.
HPK coach Jukka Jalonen was proud of his team and noted "we ended all three playoff series on away games. Maybe that makes us the best team in the league".
HPK didn't lose a single home game in the playoffs and were able to adapt to changing situations. Traditionally a small skilled team, they suprised everyone with their ability to answer to the extremely physical game of HIFK Helsinki in the semi-finals and Ässät in the finals.
The final standings in SM-Liiga after playoffs:
1. HPK
2. Ässät
3. Kärpät
4. HIFK
5. Tappara
6. Ilves
7. Saipa
8. Blues
9. JYP
10. TPS
11. Jokerit
12. Pelicans
13. Lukko
14. Kalpa
Story added on 22nd April 2006 at 17:39 GMT
Story submitted by: Olli Hakala.