Benjamin Rautiainen, a 20-year-old forward for Tappara, made headlines in the SM-liiga on Wednesday by becoming the first player to reach 70 points in the league since the 2007-08 season. Rautiainen reached this milestone with a critical assist that helped Tappara secure a 3-0 lead over Jukurit. His performance not only included an assist but also a goal in the second period of the match, contributing heavily to Tappara's eventual 3-1 victory.

The last time a player reached the 70-point threshold was during the 2007-08 season, when Janne Pesonen and Ville Leino achieved this feat, with Pesonen scoring 78 points and Leino following closely with 77 in significantly fewer games. Rautiainen reached this landmark in the 53rd game of the season, and with still six games remaining in the regular season, he has a good chance to surpass both Pesonen's and Leino's records, particularly given his scoring rate this season.

Rautiainen's achievement places him among an elite group, as he is only the 18th player in the history of the SM-liiga to score 70 points in a single season. Additionally, his performance has garnered attention not just in Finland but potentially also in the NHL, as he was drafted last year, indicating a bright future ahead for this young talent in professional hockey.