Played on Oct 18, 2025
Game Played in Tampere Jaahalli (Hakametsa)
General Game Notes: A derby between the two Tampere teams was watched by 1050 spectators, and we could see a very even game in which Ilves eventually claimed the win after a shootout. The opening phase of the game was better from Tappara, who were listed as the home team, but as the game went on, it became more balanced, and in the third period, Ilves looked like the stronger side.
Ossi Tukio (D, L, 6’2″, 187, Ilves U20, 11/03/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Tukio is an agile left-handed defenseman known for his active movement and effective use of his stick on the offensive blue line. He excels at puck movement and has quick feet, which allows him to navigate zone entries with ease. On the power play, he’s particularly effective in getting into shooting positions. Tukio’s board play is also noteworthy, as he uses his speed and agility to get into the slot area and shoot. His passing ability is another asset, as he can deliver accurate passes below the blue line.
2 Viewings
Comments: Ossi is a left-handed defenseman with above-average size who played on his team’s top pairing, as well as on the power play, penalty kill, and in overtime. He wasn’t very noticeable in the first period, but his performance kept improving, and by the third period he was one of the best players on the ice. He showed an aggressive approach in the defensive zone and played a very good physical game overall. This was clear in his one-on-one battles, where his active stick allowed him to separate opponents from the puck and make clean breakout plays. He demonstrated good game awareness throughout the game. His angling on the penalty kill was very effective, which he showed again late in the game when he managed to block a shot with his stick after guiding the opponent into a less dangerous shooting position. He also played well on the boards—at one point he moved smoothly from a tight area into open space, joined the rush, and supported his teammates all the way into the slot. When his team lost the puck immediately after, he didn’t hesitate for a second and sprinted back into a strong backcheck. Ossi recorded nine takeaways.
Jakub Frolo (C, R, 6’1″, 194, Ilves U20, 12/05/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Jakub Frolo is a physically gifted center who excels in both defensive and offensive situations. He consistently demonstrates smart game awareness, making quick decisions that enable him to transition the puck effectively from defense to offense. His close support on both sides of the ice allows him to read the play well and recover the puck quickly. Frolo brings confidence to his team with his soft hands and agility, which enables him to create space and time in the zone. He is accurate with his passes and can distribute the puck effectively to his teammates. However, he sometimes relies too heavily on finding a better-positioned teammate to take the shot, rather than taking initiative himself.
2 Viewings
Comments: Jakub is a right-handed left wing of medium size who played on his team’s top line, on the power play, and also in overtime. He is a good skater who looked confident and calm with the puck, not afraid to make plays. When he gained speed, he was hard to take the puck from, and he showed quick hands, for example with quick moves and sudden changes of direction in the offensive zone. He also moved effectively in the net-front area, and we could see the danger he can create with his quick one-touch shot from the slot in the first period. He combined well, moved the puck quickly, and handled pressure well – for example on the boards, where he was able to quickly move the puck to open space for better-positioned teammates. His close support on both sides of the ice was very good. His work in the defensive zone especially stood out – he stayed close to the puck, had good positioning, which led to frequent puck recoveries and allowed him to transition quickly to offense. He wasn’t afraid to take responsibility and carry the puck into the zone, that’s something his team benefited from for example on the power play. He also used width passes effectively in the neutral zone to stretch the play. In the third period, he received a two-minute penalty for shooting the puck out of play at a very unfortunate time – his team went down to three players. However, his determination to put everything on the line for his team showed later, for example in overtime, when after a quick turnover two Tappara players were heading alone toward the goalie but Jakub hustled back and used his active stick to break up the play. He approached his shootout attempt with confidence and creativity, but did not score. Overall, it was still a strong performance.
Miska Liljeberg (LW, L, 6’1″, 194, Ilves U20, 02/20/2009)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Miska is a left-handed center of medium size who played on his team’s third line, as well as on the power play, penalty kill, and in overtime. On the penalty kill, he showed an aggressive approach and solid physical play, especially around the defensive blue line where he stayed tight on his opponent and wasn’t afraid to play harder when needed. His offensive contribution was excellent. With the puck on his stick he played with real confidence, which he showed, for example, in a situation where he gained speed in the neutral zone, made a quick zone entry, and decisively chose to face the challenge—skating through three opponents and driving all the way into the slot. A similar moment came later when he again gained speed in the neutral zone, cut toward the slot, and created a shooting chance for himself. Overall, he handled one-on-one situations very well with the puck, keeping his head up and playing face to the game, which gave him a clear advantage. His awareness was also visible on the power play, such as when he made a great no-look pass from the slot to a teammate on the wing. His shootout attempt at the end of the game was unsuccessful. One area for improvement is faceoffs—he won only four of fifteen. However, considering his young age and limited experience at this level, this is understandable. Overall, it was a very impressive performance.
Eemil Laurell (RW, R, 6’0″, 167, Ilves U20, 12/17/2004)
Game Rating
A-
Eemil Laurell is a skilled right winger who played a significant role on his team’s top line, showcasing his versatility on both the power play and even strength. His strong skating ability allows him to maintain possession of the puck while moving quickly and effectively through the ice. This speed, combined with his agility and quick changes of direction, enables him to outmaneuver opponents in both forechecking and puck pursuit situations. In the offensive zone, Eemil’s soft hands and puck protection give him an advantage, allowing him to create scoring opportunities through precise passes into the slot area. His game awareness and shot readiness make him a threat on quick shots and breakout plays. While his overall performance was solid, it was his ability to control the pace of the game and capitalize on scoring chances that stood out.
2 Viewings
Comments: Eemil is a right-handed right wing of medium size who played on his team’s top line and also on the power play. He was extremely fast, both with and without the puck. His impact was especially strong in the offensive zone, where he was able to create a lot of puck possession time for his team. He was hard to take the puck from, skated with good edgework, changed direction quickly, and handled the puck very well—shown, for example, by a beautiful no-look pass on the power play. He also showed active backchecking in the neutral zone with an active stick. He moved the puck quickly, and we could see his contribution on zone entries, where after a quick pass he pressured the slot area and caused problems for the opponents. This was especially visible in the third period when he constantly created pressure to the net, which eventually paid off and resulted in the go-ahead goal. There are still areas to improve. He took an unnecessary minor penalty, and at times he held onto the puck too long—for example in the defensive zone, where such turnovers can become dangerous for his team. Overall, though, it was an impressive and very active performance.
William Gammals (G, L, 6’0″, 191, Tappara U20, 02/12/2008)
Game Rating
A
The goaltender exhibited consistent and reliable performance throughout the game, showcasing his ability to stop pucks behind the net and help with the breakout. He demonstrated quick movement and aggressive positioning to gain an advantage in stopping the puck before an incoming forechecker. His reactions on his knees were also impressive, displaying quick reflexes. However, there was a slight lapse in concentration during the first goal against, where he struggled to seal the gap between his arm and body.
2 Viewings
Comments: William is a medium-sized, left-catching goaltender who faced 37 shot attempts and delivered an excellent performance throughout the game, being one of the main reasons the home team earned at least one point. He played with an active style, often coming out to stop the puck and help his teammates with breakouts. He looked very confident in every situation. He tracked and located the puck well in traffic, keeping most of the shots in his equipment, and when he didn’t, he kicked the puck safely to the corner. He stood out not only with his solid saves at 5-on-5, making at least four really crucial stops, but also during penalty killing, where he moved efficiently, cut the angles well, and kept his team alive in key moments — for example, during 2-on-1 and even 2-on-0 situations against Ilves. His quickness and agility were evident when dealing with rebounds, which he controlled very well. In overtime, he made two or three great saves, completing a brilliant all-around performance.
Roni Lehtosaari (C, L, 6’2″, 203, Tappara U20, 08/20/2004)
Game Rating
A-
Roni Lehtosaari is a skilled center who excels in various aspects of the game. He possesses excellent passing skills, consistently delivering effective saucer passes that allow him to utilize the full width of the ice. His calmness on the stick is a notable strength, providing confidence for his team and enabling him to make sound decisions under pressure. He is also adept at reading the game well, often using his head-up positioning to create combination plays and capitalize on opportunities. This sense of space and timing was evident in his ability to score with precision after receiving a feed from a teammate. In addition to his passing prowess, Roni is strong and confident in board play.
2 Viewings
Comments: Roni is a tall, left-handed center who played on his team’s first line and was also used on the power play, penalty kill, and in overtime. He played a physical style of hockey, which was evident in the defensive zone through his aggressive approach and pressure on opponents. He provided close support in the defensive zone, staying near the puck to help create a quick transition to offense, and did not hesitate to protect his goalie when necessary. Offensively, he was very dangerous in the net-front area and showed good game awareness, for example when he quickly moved the puck from the boards through the slot to a well-positioned teammate. He moved the puck quickly both in the neutral zone during zone entries and in the offensive zone, helping his team maintain puck possession — especially on the power play, where he confidently handled the puck. On the penalty kill, he forechecked actively in the offensive zone, causing problems for the opponent, particularly around the offensive blue line. He also showed solid faceoff performance, winning 14 out of 22 draws.
Vilho Vanhatalo (RW, L, 6’3″, 190, Tappara U20, 01/18/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Vilho is a tall, left-handed right wing who played on his team’s second line and was also used on the power play, the penalty kill, and in overtime. His desire to attack and his strong drive to the net were evident not only in his team’s first goal—which he scored by staying composed after a missed hit behind the net, recognizing a loose puck that the opposing goalie failed to cover, and finishing the play despite three opponents trying to stop him—but also in the twelve shot attempts and scoring chances he generated throughout the game. When he got into shooting positions, often in the slot area, his releases were quick. He also showed good puck skills, for example when he attempted a confident deke in the offensive zone. When necessary, he didn’t hesitate to protect the goalie. Right at the start of overtime he showed his readiness, participating actively on the faceoff, gaining great speed with the puck, beating the defender, and creating another scoring chance for himself. He missed his shootout attempt at the end of the game.
Joona Karvonen (D, L, 5’11”, 181, Tappara U20, 09/28/2005)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Joona is a left-handed defenseman of medium size who played on his team’s first defensive pair, being used on the power play, penalty kill, and also in overtime. He is a good skater, quick with the puck on his stick, which he demonstrated for example during zone entries on the power play or during his beautiful individual goal. On that play, he retrieved the puck behind his own net, gained speed, skated along the boards past three opponents, cut to the middle, and after a quick stop released a precise and accurate shot that left the goalie with no chance. His puck skills were also visible below the blue line, where after a quick deke he beat his opponent and got to the slot for a shot, which was blocked by a defender. In the defensive phase, he showed confidence in his own zone and recorded one successful block. In overtime, he displayed active forechecking in the neutral zone, which caused problems for the opponent. Although he made one risky breakout pass in overtime that led to a scoring chance against, overall Joona delivered a very impressive performance.
Roni Teuho-Markkola (D, L, 6’2″, 168, Tappara U20, 09/18/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Roni is a tall, left-handed defenseman who played on his team’s third pair. He delivered a good performance, with the second period being especially impressive from him. He is a puck-moving defenseman who handled pressure well in the defensive zone. He often took the puck himself and started the breakouts, most often accelerating through the middle of the ice, where he either carried the puck in or found a teammate with more speed. His passes were quick, accurate, and hard. Overall, he moved the puck quickly and kept himself open in the defensive zone so his D-partner could give him a fast tape-to-tape pass. He enjoyed joining the rush, which he showed in one situation where he kept skating and demanded the puck. He received it and moved it to a better-positioned teammate, creating a 2v1. Roni joined the play, made a quick stop next to the net after his teammates missed, got the puck back, read the situation well, and took a shot. He recorded a solid seven takeaways in the game.
Juuso Rantala (D, L, 5’10”, 148, Tappara U20, 06/22/2006)
Game Rating
A
Juuso Rantala is a left-handed defenseman known for his smooth skating and puck control, making him an effective playmaker on offense. He consistently joins and supports the rush, providing physicality in the corners to win puck battles. Rantala’s agility allows him to quickly change direction and create space with the puck, while his confidence enables him to initiate breakouts from the defensive zone. His shot is also a notable asset, as seen during his attempts from the blue line.
2 Viewings
Comments: Juuso is a left-handed defenseman of medium size who played in his team’s second defensive pair and was also used on the power play, penalty kill, and in overtime. He stood out especially in the first period, but kept up a good performance throughout the whole game. An agile defenseman who plays with confidence and good puck control, always keeping his head up. Defensively, he showed a strong and physical game, playing with an aggressive approach both on the boards and in 1-on-1 battles, where he used his active stick effectively to keep opponents on the outside. When needed, he wasn’t afraid to freeze the puck on the boards, for example during penalty killing, allowing his teammates to recover and clear the zone. Juuso also showed good surfing on the offensive blue line, where he pushed opponents wide and stopped counterattacks. In the third period, he could also be seen protecting his goalie in front of the net. Offensively, he played with confidence and composure, wasn’t afraid to turn the play in the offensive zone, and used smart width passes to find better-positioned teammates. On the power play, he was active on the blue line, moving well with the play and making accurate passes. Even in overtime, he supported the attack and looked to drive toward the net-front area. He recorded 10 takeaways and, as is often the case with players who handle the puck a lot, also 8 giveaways.
Lucian Bernat (RW, R, 6’3″, 185, Tappara U20, 06/08/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Lucian is a tall, right-handed right wing who played on his team’s third line, was used on the power play, and also played in overtime. He played a physical style, which he wasn’t afraid to show even in OT, and in the offensive zone he provided close support to stay near the puck and help his teammates win battles, using his stick actively. On the power play he moved the puck quickly and was involved in the team’s combinations. In the shootout he scored on his first attempt with a beautiful, quick shot to the lower right corner, but his second attempt was unsuccessful.
Simon Katolicky (RW, L, 6’4″, 194, Tappara U20, 06/24/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Simon is a tall, left-handed right wing who played on his team’s first line, on the power play, and also in overtime. He showed a physical style and a strong forecheck driven by his hunger for the puck. He was confident on the boards and didn’t panic under pressure, often keeping possession and playing with the puck in these situations. We could also see him applying pressure toward the net front area and driving to the net himself. In overtime he demonstrated good angling against opponents and provided smart support on open ice, for example by subtly tying up an opponent’s stick so his teammate could gain more space to move into a better position. He didn’t score on his shootout attempt at the end of the game. One area for improvement is his skating and overall coordination.