SaiPa, a hockey club that finished third in the SM-liiga regular season, took to Instagram on Wednesday to apologize for the congestion experienced at their online ticket store during a sale. The club acknowledged that their ticket sales had not performed as expected, leading to a 45-minute delay in processing due to high demand. They expressed their appreciation for the patience of customers during these issues.

In the apology, SaiPa mentioned that the backlog could result in a delay in sending tickets via email to buyers, highlighting the overwhelming interest in attending their games, especially as they gear up for the playoffs. With the Lappeenrannan ice hall experiencing strong demand this spring, tickets are reportedly selling out quickly. SaiPa’s coach, Raimo Helminen, emphasized the importance of the playoff season beginning on March 28, where they will face the lowest-ranked team that advances from the first playoff round.

The SM-liiga playoffs commence on March 20, with various matchups set for the first round of the playoffs. The excitement surrounding the playoffs and the high stakes this season adds to the anticipation among fans, making ticket availability an even more critical issue. As SaiPa prepares for the playoff battles, the club is hopeful that their ticketing operations will improve to meet the overwhelming fan enthusiasm and support during this crucial time of the year.