During a Liiga match on Saturday between Ässät and Sport, a distressing incident occurred in the third period when Sport's Anton Stråka suffered a serious injury. He fell into the boards after a heavy check from Ässät's Aleksi Anttalainen, remaining motionless on the ice. The game was immediately halted, and medical staff attended to him on the ice for several minutes before he was transported off on a stretcher.

After the incident, the referees reviewed the check using video but ultimately decided not to penalize the action, which raised concerns among players and fans about the safety of such checks in the game. Stråka, who is 27 years old, had made a notable contribution this season with 10 points (4 goals and 6 assists) across 50 games, but his future in the league might be uncertain depending on the severity of his injury.

The match concluded with Ässät winning 4-1, while Sport faced their 12th consecutive loss, marking a disappointing start to the year 2026, with only one victory in their last 18 matches. Following the unfortunate incident, Sport released a statement on social media emphasizing that the result of the match was secondary, and they would provide updates on Stråka's condition when more information becomes available.