Tappara vs JYP

The opening period was dominated by structured defence, with neither side willing to concede clear chances. Tappara edged the territorial battle early but found JYP goalkeeper Otto Hannikainen in commanding form. Tappara registered 12 shots to JYP's 19 in the first frame but could not break through.

First period: 0-0

JYP drew first blood at 25:46 of the second period. Santeri Huovila sprung Leevi Tukiainen free at the back post with a clever pass, and the winger controlled before lifting a wrist shot into the top of the net for the opener.

Tappara responded with sustained pressure as the period wore on, exploiting growing cracks in JYP's defensive structure. With 17 seconds left in the period, Michael Lindqvist — who had earlier taken a holding penalty — crashed the crease to poke home a loose puck after Benjamin Rautiainen's shot rebounded around the goalmouth. Joni Tuulola also drew a secondary assist.

Second period: 1-1 (Tukiainen 25:46, Lindqvist 39:43)

The final period was a tense, even battle. Tappara created two breakaway opportunities but Hannikainen stood tall each time. JYP, meanwhile, continued to grind for openings.

The decisive moment came at 54:57. Valtteri Ojantakanen was first to a loose puck that deflected through traffic in the Tappara crease after Otto Jaatinen's initial pass took a fortunate bounce, and the forward quickly jabbed it past Juha Metsola.

Third period: 0-1 (Ojantakanen 54:57)

Tappara pulled Metsola for an extra attacker in the closing minute but could not manufacture an equaliser.

Ojantakanen's 55th-minute goal arrived during a scrappy stretch when both teams struggled to maintain possession. Tappara had just missed on two breakaway chances — one saved by Hannikainen's pad — and the momentum pendulum swung instantly. Jaatinen's pass deflected off a skate and fell perfectly for Ojantakanen, who reacted quickest to tap in from close range. JYP had generated few high-quality chances all period but capitalised on the one that mattered.

• Valtteri Ojantakanen (JYP) — Scored the game-winning goal at 54:57, showing sharp instincts to pounce on a loose puck in traffic. His finish gave JYP the Tampere Cup crown.

• Otto Hannikainen (JYP) — The goaltender was outstanding, particularly in the third period when he denied Tappara on two clean breakaway looks. He finished with 33 saves on 34 shots as JYP were outshot 34-41.

• Michael Lindqvist (Tappara) — The veteran Swedish forward scored Tappara's only goal with 17 seconds left in the second period, his second of the Tampere Cup. He was a physical presence throughout despite an early holding penalty.

• Leevi Tukiainen (JYP) — Opened the scoring with a composed finish in the second period and was a constant threat on the counter-attack.

Player of the Match: Valtteri Ojantakanen (JYP)

JYP outshot Tappara 41-34 overall, including a 19-12 edge in the first period, but the shot count tells only part of the story. Tappara created the higher-quality chances — two third-period breakaways and constant traffic around Hannikainen's crease — yet converted only once. JYP, by contrast, were less prolific but more clinical, scoring on two of their cleaner looks. Both teams took just one minor penalty each, reflecting the disciplined, low-risk nature of a pre-season final where neither side wanted to gift the opposition a power-play opportunity.

JYP claimed the Tampere Cup for 2026, finishing the two-day pre-season tournament unbeaten after routing HIFK 5-3 on Friday and defeating Tappara in Saturday's final. For Tappara, it was a second consecutive narrow defeat to JYP in pre-season (following a 3-2 OT win over Ilves on Friday), but the performance offered encouraging signs: the team generated quality chances and defended well for long stretches.

Tappara's next pre-season fixture is against Kiekko-Espoo on 14 August at 14:00 EEST in Kirkkonummi. JYP continue their preparation with a home friendly against SaiPa on 14 August.

A classic pre-season final: tight, disciplined and decided by a single moment of fortune. JYP rode Hannikainen's goaltending and Ojantakanen's opportunistic finish to silverware, while Tappara will rue their third-period finishing. Both sides showed enough to suggest solid Liiga campaigns ahead.