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2021–22 Naisten Liiga season

2021–22 Naisten Liiga season
LeagueNaisten Liiga
SportIce hockey
Duration11 September 2021 (2021-09-11) –
20 March 2022
Playoffs
26 March–24 April 2022
Number of games30
Number of teams10 in Preliminaries
6 in Regular season, 6 in Lower division series
TV partner(s)Leijonat.fi
Regular Season
Season championsKiekko-Espoo
  Runners-upHIFK Helsinki
Top scorerEstelle Duvin (TPS)
Promoted to Lower division seriesAlavuden Peli-Veikot
Rauman Lukko
Relegated to 2022–23 Naisten MestisAlavuden Peli-Veikot
Vaasan Sport
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPNelli Laitinen (K-Espoo)
Finals championsKiekko-Espoo (16)
  Runners-upHIFK Helsinki
Naisten Liiga seasons

The 2021–22 Naisten Liiga season was the thirty-ninth season of the Naisten Liiga, the premier level of women's ice hockey in Finland, since the league's establishment as the Naisten SM-sarja in 1982. The season began on 11 September 2021 and concluded on 20 March 2022.

League business

Offseason

HPK Kiekkonaiset team transfer

In June 2021, it was announced that the HPK Kiekkonaiset team would be transferred to HPK Liiga Oy, owner of the Liiga team HPK and the U20 SM-sarja team HPK U20.[1] HPK Kiekkonaiset had previously been a part of the HPK-affiliated junior club HPK Edustusjääkiekko Ry, a non-profit association. According to Antti Toivanen, CEO of HPK Liiga Oy and general manager of the HPK men's team, the move was motivated by an interest in capitalizing on the growing women's ice hockey market, which was highlighted by the record crowds that attended the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship in Espoo. Jorma Hassinen, general manager of HPK Kiekkonaiset, expressed hope that the transfer would allow female players to develop with the same opportunities as their male counterparts.[2]

Financial support for RoKi players

Rovaniemen Kiekko ry announced it would begin supporting RoKi Naiset ice hockey players selected to women's national team camps and evaluation tournaments with grants of several hundred to a thousand euros. RoKi Naiset head coach Tuomas Liitola stated the club's long-term goal is to reduce the cost of playing with RoKi Naiset to zero.[3]

Coaching changes

Team 2019–20 2020–21 Details
Off–season
HPK Kiekkonaiset Mari Saarinen Harri Nummela Appointed in May 2021, Nummela is the fourth HPK head coach in as many seasons. He has previously served as head coach of men's teams in the Suomi-sarja and 2. Divisioona.[4]
Oulun Kärpät Naiset Janne Salmela Samuli Hassi Hassi was appointed as the new Kärpät head coach in April 2021, replacing Salmela after two seasons at the helm.[5] The 27 year old, originally from Oulu, spent the previous four seasons studying in Rovaniemi and coaching in the junior organization of Rovaniemen Kiekko (RoKi). He served as the head coach of RoKi U18 in the 2020–21 season of the men's U18 Mestis.[6]
TPS Naiset Matti Tähkäpää, Kai Ortio Terhi Mertanen Ortio was promoted from assistant coach to head coach after Tähkäpää's contract was terminated with five games remaining in the 2020–21 regular season.[7] Mertanen was named the 2021–22 head coach shortly thereafter, in March 2021. An Olympic medalist with the Finnish national team at the 2010 Winter Olympics, Mertanen spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach of RoKi Naiset.[8][9]

Player signings of note

Note: The following tables do not include all player movements made during the Naisten Liiga season but rather feature moves involving national team players or international players, extra-league moves, and player movements determined to be otherwise notable.

Pre-season

Player Previous team 2021–22 team ref.
Incoming players
Nicole Andenmatten Neuchâtel HA (SWHL A) HPK [10]
Samantha Benoit Norwich Cadets (NCAA D3) HPK [11]
Megan Delay Buffalo Beauts (PHF) HPK
Paula Mandlíková ŽHK Zvolen (Slovakia) RoKi [12]
Alena Mills KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL) HPK [11]
Noora Räty KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL) HPK [13]
Minttu Tuominen KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL) Kiekko-Espoo [14]
Lucie Velinská HC 2001 Kladno RoKi
Intra-league transfers
Elisa Holopainen KalPa Kiekko-Espoo [14]
Julia Liikala HPK HIFK [15]
Matilda Nilsson KalPa HIFK [16]
Sanni Rantala Team Kuortane Kiekko-Espoo [14]
Kiira Yrjänen Team Kuortane Kiekko-Espoo [14]
Departing players
Julia Hagnäs Vaasan Sport Färjestad BK (Damettan)
Aino Laitinen Team Kuortane Budapest JA (EWHL) [17]
Meeri Räisänen HPK JYP U20 Akatemia (U20 Mestis)
Jenna Suokko Tampereen Ilves Buffalo Beauts (PHF) [18]

Preliminaries

Player Initial 2021–22 team Joining 2021–22 team ref.
Incoming players
Lívia Kúbeková ŠKP Bratislava (EWHL) HPK
Lucia Ištocyová ŠKP Bratislava (EWHL) HPK
Departing players
Aino Karppinen RoKi Luleå HF/MSSK (L) (SDHL)
Jenna Pirttijärvi RoKi Luleå HF/MSSK (SDHL) [19]

Divisional series

Player Initial 2021–22 team Joining 2021–22 team ref.
Incoming players
Júlia Matejková ŠKP Bratislava (EWHL) HPK
Linnea Melotindos St. Cloud State Huskies (NCAA D1) Ilves
Kassidy Sauvé Toronto (PWHPA) HPK
Sofia Vysokajová ŠKP Bratislava (EWHL) HPK
Departing players
Nicole Andenmatten HPK Neuchâtel HA (SWHL A)
Anna Kilponen Ilves KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL) [20]
Lívia Kúbeková HPK ŠKP Bratislava (EWHL)
Lucia Ištocyová HPK ŠKP Bratislava (EWHL)
Paula Mandlíková RoKi HK Nové Zámky U16 (Slovakia U16)
Noora Räty HPK KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL) [20]
Minttu Tuominen Kiekko-Espoo KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL) [20]

Teams

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Location of teams in the Naisten Liiga
   : Upper division; : Lower division
Team Location Home venue Head coach Captain
HIFK Naiset
or Stadin Gimmat 		Helsinki Pirkkolan jäähalli Saara Niemi Karoliina Rantamäki
HPK Kiekkonaiset Hämeenlinna Jääliikuntakeskus Hakio Harri Nummela Heta Seikkula
Ilves Naiset Tampere Tesoman jäähalli Linda Leppänen Anna Kilponen
KalPa Naiset Kuopio Niiralan Monttu Marjo Voutilainen Johanna Juutilainen
Kiekko-Espoo Naiset Espoo Tapiolan harjoitusareena Sami Haapanen Minttu Tuominen
Kärpät Naiset Oulu Raksilan jäähalli Samuli Hassi Suvi Käyhkö
RoKi Naiset Rovaniemi Lappi Areena Tuomas Liitola Emmi Mourujärvi
Sport Naiset Vaasa Vaasan Sähkö Arena Susanne Uppgård Pauliina Suoniemi
Team Kuortane Kuortane Kuortaneen jäähalli Mira Kuisma Nea Tervonen
TPS Naiset Turku Kupittaan jäähalli Terhi Mertanen Elina Heikkinen
Team promoted from the Naisten Mestis to the lower division
APV Naiset Alavus Alavus Areena Noora Mäkiranta Pinja Niemistö
Lukko Naiset Rauma Westinghouse Areena Sami Piilikangas Maija Koski

Preliminary series

The preliminary series began on 11 September and concluded on 12 December 2021. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association opted to use the points per game ranking system first implemented in the 2020–21 season to allow for the potential of cancelled matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21] Some games in the preliminary series were rescheduled, however, each team was able to play all twenty matches.

The top six ranked teams in the preliminaries advanced to the regular season, also called the upper division series (Finnish: Ylempi jatkosarja) and were guaranteed playoff berths.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Final Result
1 Kiekko-Espoo 20 20 0 0 0 137 25 +112 60 Advanced to Upper division
2 HIFK 20 17 0 0 3 100 31 +69 51
3 Oulun Kärpät 20 13 1 0 6 67 38 +29 41
4 Tampereen Ilves 20 9 2 2 7 59 42 +17 33
5 Team Kuortane 20 9 1 2 8 65 72 −7 31
6 TPS 20 7 3 1 9 72 68 +4 28
7 HPK 20 7 2 1 10 47 68 −21 26 Proceeded to Lower division
8 RoKi 20 6 0 2 12 43 83 −40 20
9 KalPa 20 2 1 2 15 36 78 −42 10
10 Vaasan Sport 20 0 0 0 20 27 148 −121 0
Updated to match(es) played on 12 December 2021. Source: Leijonat

Official ranking

Teams were officially ranked by average points per game with ties broken by greater number of games played, followed by best goal difference, then greater number of goals.[22]

Schedule

Major events

  • 26 September 2021 – Ilves 3–0 TPS, Tesoman jäähalli (Tampere)
    TPS forward Maija Otamo was issued a six-game ban – the longest suspension ever handed down to a player in the Naisten Liiga – after rendering Ilves forward Emilia Varpula unconscious with two hits in the head and neck area.[23] The hits came with just nine seconds left on the clock and less than a minute after Varpula contributed an assist to Ilves' third and final goal in the eventual shutout. Varpula was taken directly from the ice to hospital by ambulance and was ultimately diagnosed with a concussion.[24] Following the hits, a fight broke out between TPS forward Estelle Duvin and Ilves defenseman Elli Suoranta, resulting in one game suspensions for both players.[25]

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of games the preliminaries on 12 December 2021.[26]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
1 Elisa Holopainen K-Espoo 19 19 23 42 2
2 Matilda Nilsson HIFK 20 28 12 40 18
3 Estelle Duvin TPS 17 23 16 39 49
4 Kiira Yrjänen K-Espoo 20 20 15 35 6
5 Emmi Rakkolainen K-Espoo 16 13 16 29 4
6 Sofianna Sundelin Kuortane 17 14 13 27 8
7 Maija Otamo TPS 14 11 16 27 33
8 Julia Liikala HIFK 20 11 15 26 6
9 Tinja-Mariia Haukijärvi K-Espoo 20 14 11 25 31
10 Oona Havana Kärpät 20 13 12 25 6
11 Nea Tervonen Kuortane 19 7 18 25 0

The following skaters were the top point scorers of teams not represented in the scoring leader table at the conclusion of the preliminary series, noted with their overall league scoring rank:

Elisa Holopainen was the leading point scorer in the preliminaries for the third consecutive season

Goaltenders

The following goaltenders lead the league in save percentage at the conclusion of the preliminary series on 12 December 2021, while starting at least one third of matches.[27]

Player Team GP TOI W L S GA SO SV% GAA
1 Noora Räty HPK 14 822:47 7 5 493 24 2 .954 1.75
2 Iina Kuusela HIFK 12 717:13 9 3 315 18 3 .946 1.51
3 Anni Keisala Ilves 15 891:38 6 7 462 27 3 .945 1.82
4 Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 12 680:00 12 0 231 14 3 .943 1.24
5 Kati Asikainen Kärpät 11 660:06 8 3 301 19 2 .941 1.73
6 Johanna Oksman Kärpät 9 537:17 6 3 261 17 2 .939 1.90
7 Minja Drufva K-Espoo 8 460:00 7 0 129 9 1 .935 1.17
8 Janita Haapasaari RoKi 10 559:41 4 5 351 33 0 .914 3.54
9 Erica Jaskari TPS 12 726:44 4 6 367 37 1 .908 3.05
10 Janika Järvikari RoKi 7 388:02 2 4 250 27 0 .903 4.17
11 Hannele Tarkiainen Kuortane 10 546:15 6 4 234 26 3 .900 2.86

Vaasan Sport was the only team not represented in the top goaltenders table at the conclusion of the preliminary series. Sport's best goaltender was Oona Mäki, who played in thirteen games and recorded a .860 save percentage and 7.38 goals against average.

Regular season

The preliminary series began on 11 September and concluded on 12 December 2021. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association opted to use the points per game ranking system first implemented in the 2020–21 season to allow for the potential of cancelled matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[28] Some games in the preliminary series were rescheduled, however, each team was able to play all twenty matches.

The top six ranked teams from the preliminary series advanced to the regular season, also called the upper division series (Finnish: Ylempi jatkosarja), while teams ranked seventh through tenth progressed to the lower division series (Finnish: Alempi jatkosarja). The regular season began on 8 January 2022.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Final Result
1 Kiekko-Espoo 30 27 1 0 2 182 44 +138 83 Playoff quarterfinals
2 HIFK 29 26 0 0 3 137 41 +96 78
3 Oulun Kärpät 29 16 2 0 11 85 62 +23 52
4 Tampereen Ilves 30 12 2 3 13 78 72 +6 43
5 TPS 29 10 3 2 14 101 108 −7 38
6 Team Kuortane 27 9 1 2 15 72 104 −32 31
Updated to match(es) played on 20 March 2022. Source: Leijonat

Official ranking

Teams are officially ranked by average points per game with ties broken by greater number of games played, followed by best goal difference, then greater number of goals.

Pos Team PpG
1 K-Espoo 2.77
2 HIFK 2.69
3 Kärpät 1.79
4 Ilves 1.43
5 TPS 1.31
6 Kuortane 1.15

Schedule

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the regular season on 20 March 2022. In a change from the previous seasons, scoring statistics were carried over from the preliminaries and points scored in the regular season were added to those totals.[29]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
1 Estelle Duvin TPS 26 31 26 57 65
2 Elisa Holopainen K-Espoo 27 29 27 56 4
3 Matilda Nilsson HIFK 29 37 18 55 22
4 Kiira Yrjänen K-Espoo 28 26 20 46 10
5 Maija Otamo TPS 23 17 27 44 37
6 Michaela Pejzlová HIFK 21 15 27 42 8
7 Tinja-Mariia Haukijärvi K-Espoo 30 18 19 37 33
8 Emmi Rakkolainen K-Espoo 23 15 22 37 10
9 Emmanuelle Passard HIFK 28 18 15 33 0
10 Julia Liikala HIFK 27 15 18 33 10
11 Nelli Laitinen K-Espoo 23 7 24 31 16
12 Anniina Kaitala Ilves 27 17 13 30 10
13 Sofianna Sundelin Kuortane 22 16 13 29 8
14 Oona Havana Kärpät 25 13 14 27 10
15 Tilli Keränen Kärpät 22 14 12 26 4

Goaltenders

The following goaltenders lead the league in save percentage at the conclusion of games played on 20 March 2022, while starting at least one third of matches. Goaltending statistics were not carried over from the preliminaries, only statistics accumulated in the regular season were counted towards totals.[30]

Player Team GP TOI W L S GA SO SV% GAA
1 Iina Kuusela HIFK 6 360:00 6 0 113 4 3 .966 0.67
2 Minja Drufva K-Espoo 4 240:00 4 0 75 5 2 .938 1.25
3 Kati Asikainen Kärpät 5 299:04 2 3 188 13 1 .935 2.61
4 Johanna Oksman Kärpät 4 244:25 2 2 151 11 0 .932 2.70
5 Tiia Pajarinen K-Espoo 6 357:42 4 2 164 13 1 .927 2.18
6 Anni Keisala Ilves 6 357:41 3 3 196 18 0 .916 3.02
7 Emilia Kyrkkö Kuortane 5 285:35 0 4 178 17 0 .913 3.57
8 Lumi Jääskeläinen HIFK 3 180:00 3 0 53 6 1 .898 2.00
9 Mila Houni TPS 7 407:07 1 6 211 33 0 .865 4.86
10 Hennele Tarkiainen Kuortane 3 125:41 0 3 68 12 0 .850 5.73

Lower division series

The teams ranked seventh through tenth in the Naisten Liiga preliminaries – HPK, KalPa, RoKi, and Sport – progressed to the lower division series (Finnish: Alempi jatkosarja), where they were joined by the top two teams from the Naisten Mestis cross-qualifiers, Alavuden Peli-Veikot (APV) and Rauman Lukko. The lower division series began on 5 February and concluded on 20 March. It was played as a double round-robin, with every team playing each of their five opponents twice. The two teams with the top points per game averages at the conclusion of the series, HPK and KalPa, progress to the playoff quarterfinals. The remaining four teams – APV, Lukko, RoKi, and Sport – proceed to the qualifiers (Finnish: karsintasarja), where they face potential relegation.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts Postseason placement
1 HPK 10 10 0 0 0 67 12 +55 30 Playoff quarterfinals
2 KalPa 10 6 2 0 2 34 18 +16 22
3 RoKi 10 4 1 1 4 46 46 0 15 Qualifiers
4 Lukko 10 4 0 0 6 19 32 −13 12
5 Sport 10 1 0 3 6 24 45 −21 6
6 APV 10 1 1 0 8 29 66 −37 5
Updated to match(es) played on 20 March 2022. Source: Leijonat

Official ranking

Pos Team PpG
1 HPK 3.00
2 KalPa 2.20
3 RoKi 1.50
4 Lukko 1.20
5 Sport 0.60
6 APV 0.50

Schedule

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players led the series in points at the conclusion of lower division play on 20 March 2022. No statistics were carried over from the preliminaries, all totals represent tallies from the lower division only.[31]

RoKi forward Jenna Hietala topped the scoring charts for both goals and points, with 18 goals and 24 points in 10 games played. Slovak forward Júlia Matejková of HPK and KalPa's Johanna Juutilainen tied to lead the series in assists, both tallying 12 assists in 10 games played.

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
1 Jenna Hietala RoKi 10 18 6 24 0
2 Kiti Seikkula HPK 10 12 11 23 0
3 Julia Matejkova HPK 10 9 12 21 6
4 Jutta Stoltenberg HPK 10 10 8 18 12
5 Noora Mylläri Sport 9 11 6 17 6
6 Riikka Noronen HPK 8 6 10 16 2
7 Jade Mäkivaara HPK 8 5 11 16 0
8 Kaisla Kortelainen KalPa 10 6 9 15 2
9 Johanna Juutilainen KalPa 10 3 12 15 0
10 Saimi Lehto HPK 7 5 9 14 2
11 Susanna Järvenpää APV 10 6 7 13 4

Rauman Lukko was the only team not represented in the scoring leaders table at the conclusion of the lower division series. Lukko's top scorer was Roosa-Maria Kangasniemi, who notched 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in ten games played. She ranked 28th overall on the list of lower division scoring leaders.

Goaltenders

The following goaltenders lead the series in save percentage at the conclusion of lower division play on 20 March 2022, while starting at least one third of matches. Goaltending statistics were not carried over from the preliminaries, only statistics accumulated during the lower division series were considered.[32]

Player Team GP TOI W L S GA SO SV% GAA
1 Kassidy Sauvé HPK 8 480:00 8 0 188 7 3 .964 0.88
2 Tiina Ranne KalPa 9 543:10 7 2 245 17 2 .935 1.88
3 Melisa Mörönen Sport 8 482:13 1 7 283 28 0 .910 3.48
4 Janika Järvikari RoKi 7 371:10 4 1 197 20 1 .908 3.23
5 Johanna Niemi Lukko 7 419:00 4 3 159 18 0 .898 2.58
6 Riina Valkama APV 10 543:59 2 7 358 56 0 .865 6.18

Playoffs

This section is an excerpt from 2022 Aurora Borealis Cup playoffs § Playoff bracket.[]
Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Kiekko-Espoo 3
8 KalPa Kuopio 1
1 Kiekko-Espoo 3
5 TPS Turku 0
4 Ilves Tampere 0
5 TPS Turku 3
1st place, gold medalist(s) Kiekko-Espoo 3
2nd place, silver medalist(s) HIFK Helsinki 2
2 HIFK Helsinki 3
7 HPK Hämeenlinna 1
2 HIFK Helsinki 3 Bronze medal game
3 Kärpät Oulu 0
3 Kärpät Oulu 3 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Kärpät Oulu 3
6 Team Kuortane 0 4 TPS Turku 2

Qualification series

The qualification series (Finnish: karsintasarja) began on 26 March and concluded 10 April.

Three teams from the 2021 qualification series returned to the promotion/relegation tournament in 2022: Lukko, RoKi, and Vaasan Sport. Promoted from the Naisten Mestis to the lower division series alongside Lukko, APV last appeared in the 2020 qualification series, in which they did not gain promotion.

On April 3, Rovaniemen Kiekko (RoKi) and Rauman Lukko both amassed unbeatable point advantages and secured league positions. RoKi will remain in the Naisten Liiga for the 2022–23 season and Lukko will make their return to the league after being relegated to the Naisten Mestis in the 2020–21 Naisten Liiga qualifiers.[33]

Vaasan Sport will be relegated to the 2022–23 Naisten Mestis, following four seasons in the Naisten Liiga in which they qualified for the playoffs as the eighth-seed in 2020 and faced relegation in both 2021 and 2022. APV will return to the Naisten Mestis after missing out on the opportunity for promotion for the second time in three seasons.[33]

Pos Team Pld W OTW OTL L GF GA GD Pts 2022–23 placement
1 RoKi 16 8 1 1 6 80 62 +18 27 Qualify for Naisten Liiga
2 Lukko 16 8 0 0 8 39 50 −11 24
3 Sport 16 4 0 3 9 42 70 −28 15 Relegated to Naisten Mestis
4 APV 16 2 1 0 13 45 95 −50 8
Updated to match(es) played on 3 April 2022. Source: Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto[34]

Official ranking

Pos Team GP Pts PpG
1 RoKi 16 27 1.69
2 Lukko 16 24 1.50
3 Sport 16 15 0.94
4 APV 16 8 0.50

Results

26 March 2022
12:00		APV Alavus4–6
(0–2, 1–1, 3–3)		Sport VaasaAlavus Areena, Alavus
Attendance: 80
Game reference
Riina ValkamaGoaliesMelisa MörönenReferee:
Seppo Rintaoja
Linesmen:
Mika Pajunen
Elisa Kohtala
0–106:20 – Hautamäki (Laamanen, Kuusisto)
0–208:40 – PS – Mylläri
Vainionpää – 31:011–2
1–331:01 – Tervala (Karppinen)
1–443:16 – Viitala (Tervala, Mylläri)
1–548:23 – Mylläri (Haaranoja)
Peltoniemi (Kaitola, Järvenpää) – PP – 52:172–5
Niemistö (Kaitola, Paalanen) – 53:353–5
Saarimaa – 56:054–5
4–658:01 – Viitala (Mylläri, Hautamäki)
20 minPenalties6 min
37Shots39
26 March 2022
13:00		RoKi Rovaniemi1–4
(0–2, 0–0, 1–2)		Lukko RaumaLappi Areena, Rovaniemi
Attendance: 63
Game reference
Janika JärvikariGoaliesSaara RintamaaReferee:
Mikko Kallio
Linesmen:
Sami Kylmäluoma
Lauri Alamartin
0–108:20 – PP – Koskinen
0–219:13 – SH – M. Koski (Lehikoinen)
0–346:13 – Grönroos (M. Koski, Kaukola)
O. Koski (Hietala) – 50:531–3
1–459:22 – EN – M. Koski (Toivonen, Kangasniemi)
6 minPenalties12 min
31Shots27
27 March 2022
13:00		RoKi Rovaniemi7–1
(4–1, 1–0, 2–0)		APV AlavusLappi Areena, Rovaniemi
Attendance: 39
Game reference
Janita HaapasaariGoaliesRosa-Maria OjalaReferee:
Sami Kylmäluoma
Linesmen:
Kalle Tuovila
Lauri Alamartin
Keskisarja (Mourujärvi) – PP – 02:331–0
Lahtela (Hietala) – 03:322–0
Kontiosalo (Lahtela, Hietala) – PP – 09:063–0
E. Lappalainen (Lahtela) – PP – 10:334–0
4–114:53 – PP – Nuolikoski
Mourujärvi (Iso-Kouvola, Ollila) – SH – 26:205–1
Lahtela (Kontiosalo, Heikonen) – 41:106–1
Ollila – 49:077–1
8 minPenalties22 min
43Shots35
27 March 2022
15:15		Sport Vaasa2–3
(0–1, 1–2, 1–0)		Lukko RaumaVaasa Arena, Vaasa
Attendance: 40
Game reference
Melisa MörönenGoaliesJohanna NiemiReferee:
Robert Svartbäck
Linesmen:
Mika Mäkinen
Eero Torkinlampi
0–100:46 – Toivonen (Julkunen, Kangasniemi)
0–229:39 – Grönroos (Koski, Leino)
Mylläri (Viitala, Erkkilä) – 32:331–2
1–337:00 – Toivonen (Kahlhammer, Brofelt)
Viitala (Haaranoja) – 45:102–3
4 minPenalties6 min
31Shots28
2 April 2022
12:30		RoKi Rovaniemi8–0
(2–0, 5–0, 1–0)		Sport VaasaLappi Areena, Rovaniemi
Attendance: 42
Game reference
Janita HaapasaariGoaliesMelisa Mörönen
Oona Mäki		Referee:
Mikko Kallio
Linesmen:
Teemu Paldanius
Anton Heikka
Keskisarja (I. Lappalainen) – 01:021–0
Hietala – 18:532–0
Keskisarja (Iso-Kouvola) – 25:513–0
Ad. Makkonen (Iso-Kouvola, Haapasaari) – PP – 29:164–0
Hietala (Kontiosalo, Lappalainen) – PP – 31:545–0
Kontiosalo (Hietala) – 37:146–0
Iso-Kouvola (Mourujärvi) – 37:477–0
Iso-Kouvola (Keskisarja, Mourujärvi) – 46:258–0
14 minPenalties14 min
24Shots18
2 April 2022
16:15		Lukko Rauma2–3
(0–1, 2–1, 0–1)		APV AlavusEurajoen jäähalli, Eurajoki
Attendance: 40
Game reference
Johanna NiemiGoaliesRiina ValkamaReferee:
Jussi Hirsimäki
Linesmen:
Teemu Karhu
Teemu Kantola
0–109:06 – Paalanen (Järvenpää, Särkinen)
Koski (Grönroos, Hyytiä) – 20:241–1
1–224:58 – Paalanen (Järvenpää, Vainionpää)
Hyytiä (Koski, Karru) – 27:402–2
2–357:36 – Niemistö (Särkinen, Nuolikoski)
6 minPenalties4 min
32Shots24
3 April 2022
13:00		APV Alavus2–3
(0–0, 1–2, 1–1)		Lukko RaumaAlavus Areena, Alavus
Attendance: 78
Game reference
Riina ValkamaGoaliesJohanna NiemiReferee:
Joni Koivunen
Linesmen:
Jesse Viertola
Lassi Mukkala
0–128:24 – Harjula (Brofelt, Hyytiä)
Turunen (Järvenpää, Peltoniemi) – PP – 34:571–1
1–239:31 – Kahlhammer (Harjula)
1–344:18 – Koski (Brofelt, Harjula)
Turunen (Järvenpää) – 45:162–3
6 minPenalties12 min
33Shots34
3 April 2022
14:15		Sport Vaasa1–6
(0–3, 1–2, 0–1)		RoKi RovaniemiVaasa Arena, Vaasa
Attendance: 25
Game reference
Melisa Mörönen
Oona Mäki		GoaliesOlivia LastReferee:
Tero Peltomaa
Linesmen:
Teemu Saari
Sebastian Rosenqvist
0–101:45 – Ad. Makkonen (Ollila)
0–209:18 – Mourujärvi (Kontiosalo, Heikonen)
0–313:30 – Keskisarja (Lahtela, I. Lappalainen)
0–427:38 – Keskisarja (Ad. Makkonen)
Mylläri (Viitala) – 29:041–4
1–533:01 – Keskisarja (E. Lappalainen, Lassila)
1–642:47 – PP – Hietala (Kontiosalo)
10 minPenalties6 min
32Shots35
9 April 2022
13:30		Sport Vaasa3–1
(1–0, 1–1, 1–0)		APV AlavusVaasa Arena, Vaasa
Attendance: 60
Game reference
Oona MäkiGoaliesRiina ValkamaReferee:
Tero Peltomaa
Linesmen:
Joonas Nurmi
Eero Torkinlampi
Kuusisto (Haaranoja, Fagerudd) – 14:481–0
Suoniemi (Kuusisto) – PP – 33:012–0
2–138:55 – Järvenpää (Kaitola, Turunen)
Tervala (Kuusisto) – 47:493–1
6 minPenalties20 min
39Shots26
9 April 2022
15:30		Lukko Rauma5–4
(3–1, 2–1, 0–2)		RoKi RovaniemiEurajoen jäähalli, Eurajoki
Attendance: 80
Game reference
Saara RintamaaGoaliesOlivia Last
Janika Järvikari		Referee:
Niko Rautavuori
Linesmen:
Teemu Karhu
Kaapo Elomaa
Koski (Laiho, Kangasniemi) – 06:181–0
Toivonen – 11:232–0
2–117:00 – Hietala (Ad. Makkonen, Kontiosalo)
Koski (Brofelt, Hyytiä) – 19:053–1
Hyytiä (Koski) – 29:394–1
4–232:02 – PP – Hietala (Kontiosalo, Mourujärvi)
Hyytiä (Koski, Arola) – 39:025–2
5–348:42 – Lahtela (Hietala, Kontiosalo)
5–459:53 – EA – Keskisarja (Kontiosalo, Mourujärvi)
2 minPenalties6 min
20Shots25
10 April 2022
13:00		APV Alavus5–8
(1–3, 4–3, 0–2)		RoKi RovaniemiAlavus Areena, Alavus
Attendance: 70
Game reference
Riina ValkamaGoaliesJanika JärvikariReferee:
Kristian Ouri
Linesmen:
Mika Pajunen
Lassi Mukkala
0–103:41 – E. Lappalainen (I. Lappalainen, Keskisarja)
0–205:08 – Felcmanová (Velinská, Koski)
Turunen (Niemistö) – 11:041–2
1–315:07 – Hietala (Kontiosalo, Felcmanová)
Järvenpää (Ylinen) – 22:282–3
Liikala (Kaitola, Mäki) – 23:093–3
Järvenpää (Turunen, Niemistö) – 26:104–3
4–431:30 – E. Lappalainen (I. Lappalainen, Mourujärvi)
Turunen (Järvenpää, Niemistö) – 32:145–4
5–533:12 – Ad. Makkonen (Kontiosalo)
5–634:21 – Tulkki (Hietala)
5–741:20 – Keskisarja (E. Leppalainen)
5–843:53 – Felcmanová (Kontiosalo, Keskisarja)
6 minPenalties6 min
35Shots66
10 April 2022
14:00		Lukko Rauma3–6
(2–1, 1–2, 0–3)		Sport VaasaEurajoen jäähalli, Eurajoki
Attendance: 90
Game reference
Johanna NiemiGoaliesMelisa MörönenReferee:
Jussi Hirsimäki
Linesmen:
Vilho Salo
Teemu Kantola
0–102:31 – Viitala (Tervala, Kupari)
Koskinen (Julkunen, Kangasniemi) – PP – 04:121–1
Toivonen (Leino) – 05:502–1
Karru (Harjula, Brofelt) – 31:123–1
3–236:57 – Mylläri (Suoniemi, Karppinen)
3–337:46 – Tervala (Laamanen, Kuusisto)
3–443:59 – SH – Mylläri (Viitala)
3–558:37 – EN – Kuusisto
3–659:43 – EN – Mylläri (Kupari)
2 minPenalties8 min
17Shots21

Statistics

Scoring leaders

The following players led scoring in the qualification series at the conclusion of games played on 9 April 2022.[35]

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
1 Maija Koski Lukko 5 6 5 11 0
2 Jenna Hietala RoKi 5 5 5 10 4
3 Sanni Kontiosalo RoKi 5 2 8 10 2
4 Moona Keskisarja RoKi 5 7 1 8 2
5 Emmi Mourujärvi RoKi 5 2 5 7 6
6 Noora Mylläri Sport 5 4 2 6 8
7 Ella Lahtela RoKi 5 3 3 6 0
7 Sara Hyytiä Lukko 5 3 3 6 2
9 Susanna Järvenpää APV 5 1 5 6 18
10 Susanna Viitala Sport 5 3 2 5 0
11 Viivi Iso-Kouvola RoKi 3 2 3 5 0

Leading goaltenders

The following goaltenders have played at least one match in the qualification series at the conclusion of games played on 9 April 2022, sorted by save percentage.[36]

Player Team GP TOI W L SA GA SO SV% GA60
1 Janita Haapasaari RoKi 2 120:00 2 0 53 1 1 .981 0.50
2 Johanna Niemi Lukko 3 180:00 2 1 88 7 0 .926 2.33
3 Oona Mäki Sport 3 112:22 1 0 49 4 0 .925 2.14
4 Saara Rintamaa Lukko 2 120:00 2 0 52 5 0 .912 2.50
5 Riina Valkama APV 4 238:07 1 3 144 14 0 .911 3.53
6 Olivia Last RoKi 2 80:00 1 0 41 4 0 .911 3.00
7 Janika Järvikari RoKi W 96:55 0 2 42 5 0 .894 3.10
8 Rosa-Marie Ojala APV 1 60:00 0 1 43 7 0 .860 7.00
9 Melisa Mörönen Sport 4 187:38 1 3 101 18 0 .849 5.76

Awards and honours

Finnish Ice Hockey Association awards

Source: Finnish Ice Hockey Association[37][38]

French forward Estelle Duvin of TPS claimed the Marianne Ihalainen Award as regular season scoring champion, amassing a staggering 31 goals and 26 assists for 57 points in 26 games played. She became the second international player to ever capture the honor, following Czech forward Michaela Pejzlová who won the award in 2021. HIFK Naiset winger Matilda Nilsson was the top goalscorer of the regular season, notching 37 goals in 29 games played and winning the Tiia Reima Award for the second consecutive season.

All-Star Teams

All-Star Team

  • Goaltender: Anni Keisala, Ilves
  • Defenceman: Nelli Laitinen, Kiekko-Espoo
  • Defenceman: Sanni Rantala, Kiekko-Espoo
  • Left Wing: Elisa Holopainen, Kiekko-Espoo
  • Center: Estelle Duvin, TPS
  • Right Wing: Kiira Yrjänen, Kiekko-Espoo

All-Star Team II

Source: Finnish Ice Hockey Association[38]

Player of the Month

  • September 2021: Kiira Yrjänen (F), Kiekko-Espoo[39]
  • October 2021: Estelle Duvin (F), TPS[40]
  • November 2021: Elisa Holopainen (F), Kiekko-Espoo[41]
  • December 2021: too few games played due to holiday break, no player named
  • January 2022: number of games limited due to COVID-19 Omicron, no player named
  • February/March 2022: Suvi Käyhkö (F), Kärpät[42]

References

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Quelle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_Naisten_Liiga_season