Club Friendly· Season 2026
Pelicans Lahti U20 beat Ilves U20 2-1 in a shootout in pre-season action. Elmer Peräaho scored the opener and the decisive shootout goal; Juho Nyberg equalised for Ilves.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
The game started with both sides feeling each other out in the early stages. Pelicans struck first through defenceman Elmer Peräaho, who stepped up from the blue line to beat Ilves' netminder Luka Paavola at 15:25 of the opening period. Ilves responded swiftly: Juho Nyberg capitalised on a scramble in front of the Pelicans goal to slot the equaliser at 18:39, sending the teams to the first intermission level at 1–1.
The second period was a defensive stalemate. Ilves outshot Pelicans 6–4 over the middle frame but could not beat Frantisek Poletin, who was solid throughout. The third period followed a similar pattern — both sides created half-chances but neither could break the deadlock, and overtime solved nothing.
In the shootout, Pelicans' Peräaho was the lone scorer, and Poletin stood tall to deny Ilves' attempts, sealing the extra-session win for the home side.
The Turning Point
The shootout itself was the decisive phase. With Pelicans' Frantisek Poletin stopping all Ilves attempts and Elmer Peräaho converting his opportunity, the game flipped from a hard-fought deadlock to a Lahti victory. Poletin's 16 saves on 17 shots through regulation and overtime (94.12 save percentage) kept Pelicans in the contest and set the stage.
Key Performers
- Elmer Peräaho (Pelicans) — Defenceman scored the opening goal in regulation and the only shootout attempt. A composed display at both ends.
- Frantisek Poletin (Pelicans) — The goalkeeper made 16 saves on 17 shots for a 94.12% save rate across 65 minutes. Denied every Ilves opportunity in the shootout.
- Juho Nyberg (Ilves) — Forward scored the equaliser midway through the first period and was a consistent threat on the rush.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
While the match page displays basic possession and shot counts, the underlying story lies in the efficiency of the goaltending. Poletin faced 17 shots and allowed just one goal in regulation, while the combined Ilves tandem of Luka Paavola and Justus Vuorinen stopped 15 of 16 shots they faced. The 1–1 regulation scoreline reflects two evenly matched defences rather than a lack of attacking intent — Ilves held a narrow 17–16 edge in shots on goal.
Pelicans committed 6 penalty minutes to Ilves' 4, but neither team scored on the power play, pointing to disciplined penalty-killing units on both sides in this pre-season fixture.
What It Means
This was a pre-season friendly for both sides as they build toward the 2026–27 U20 SM-Sarja campaign. For Pelicans, the shootout win provides a confidence boost ahead of their competitive opener. Ilves will take encouragement from a disciplined road performance despite the shootout loss.
Pelicans Lahti U20 continue their pre-season schedule against KooKoo U20 on 4 September, while Ilves U20 face HPK U20 at home on the same date.
Verdict
A typical pre-season affair — tight-checking, low-scoring and decided by fine margins in a shootout. Poletin's goaltending and Peräaho's composure in the shootout were the difference. Both teams will view this as a useful sharpener before the real business of the U20 SM-Sarja season begins.
Referee: Jaakko Telkkinen Linesmen: Sampo Junnila, Nikita Nikolajevs Venue: Webasto Areena, Lahti Attendance: 100
Rivalry since 2017
Pelicans Lahti U20 vs Ilves U20 Head to Head Results· 20
Pelicans Lahti U20 and Ilves U20 have met 20 times — Pelicans Lahti U20 won 13, Ilves U20 won 7, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2017. Pelicans Lahti U20 leads the head-to-head with 13 victories from 20 meetings. A combined 125 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 6.25 per match (71 for the home side, 54 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 18 matches (90%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 18 games (90%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 8–5 in 2019.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 30 Aug 2026