SaiPa faced one of its most humiliations of the season on December 27, 2023, falling to KalPa with a staggering score of 9-2 at the Kuopio arena. The defeat not only left the team reeling but also sent them crashing from the top spot of the Liiga standings, paving the way for Tappara to claim first place.
The night began poorly for SaiPa as they struggled to assert themselves, and KalPa quickly capitalized on SaiPa's vulnerabilities, dominating the game from the very first puck drop. By the end of the first period, they had already established a commanding 4-1 lead, showcasing their offensive prowess and tactical superiority.
Jere Karjalainen proved to be the standout player for KalPa, netting three goals and providing one assist, alongside Juuso Mäenpää who contributed two goals and two assists. Their contributions played a significant role in translating KalPa's strong start to the match.
Despite the significant scoring by KalPa, SaiPa's only response came from Ville Petman, who managed to score both of SaiPa's goals. Unfortunately for the visitors, their performance throughout the match was far below expectations. Coach Raimo Helminen was left to reflect on the team's lackluster performance, saying, "Kyllä saa valmentaja katsoa peiliin, että millaisen joukkueen tuo tällaiseen joulun jälkeiseen peliin. Se oli anteeksiantamatonta, että millainen esitys tuotiin tänne," which translates to, "The coach must look in the mirror at the kind of team he brings to such a post-Christmas game. It was unforgivable the kind of showcase we brought here."
Helminen made it clear after the game where the blame lay, stating, "Ei ollut kentällä kuin yksi joukkue," meaning "There was only one team on the ice," indicating the complete dominance KalPa had over the course of the game. He didn't shy away from taking full responsibility, emphasizing the importance of accountability and how his team let themselves down.
The brutal loss marks the largest margin of defeat this season for SaiPa, who until this game had not lost by more than three goals this year. The once-promising squad, which kicked off the season with 14 straight victories, has struggled lately, managing only six points from their last seven games. This performance, coupled with such a devastating outing, raises questions about the team's morale and direction moving forward.
SaiPa is poised for immediate redemption, as they are scheduled to face Kiekko-Espoo on December 28. This next match could provide the team with the opportunity to reassess and regroup. The players will need to shake off the heavy defeat and be ready to face the challenges presented by their next opponents.
Meanwhile, KalPa's sharp ascent continues. The victory has bolstered KalPa's standing within the league as they build on their momentum. Their ability to capitalize on a floundering SaiPa shows their readiness to compete at the highest level as they prepare for upcoming matches, including one against Ilves on December 30.
SaiPa fans will be watching closely to see if the team can rally from this defeat and return to their winning ways. It is clear from Helminen's statements post-match, the coach and the players are well aware of the need for reflection and improvement. The spotlight is on them as they move forward from this debacle, as the eyes of the Liiga—and their loyal fans—are trained on their next steps.
