In a thrilling match, Simon Johansson from Ilves assisted on three goals, leading his team to a 3-2 victory over Lukko. This win allowed Ilves to draw level on points with Lukko, currently fourth in the standings. Johansson has been outstanding this season, dominating the league's defenseman points race with 45 points in 49 games, making him not just a standout defenseman but also placing him among the top ten scorers overall when forwards are considered.

With nine regular-season games left, Johansson is on track to challenge the league record for points by a defenseman, which is currently held by Atro Leppänen with 63 points from last season. The intensity of the playoff race is palpable as teams vie for the last few available spots, and every match becomes critical in determining which teams will compete for the championship.

In other matches, Kärpät secured a vital win against Pelicans with a convincing 5-0 triumph, a result that significantly boosts their playoff hopes. Young star Benjamin Pietilä, at just 19, netted his second and third career goals in this match, helping Kärpät reduce the gap to HIFK and Pelicans to six points. With both Kärpät and their competitors nearing the end of the season, the battle for playoff berths is reaching a fever pitch, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the league.