A place in the top four was on offer for whichever of JYP and Lukko could claim victory in the first game of the season to be played in Jyvaskyla, and it was the home side who snatched it 3-2 after penalties for just their second win in five, while sixth-placed Lukko have lost two of their last three.
Arttu Valila twice put the visitors ahead, but both times JYP came back through Eetu Peltola and Valtteri Ojantakanen to force overtime. There were no goals in the extra period, but there was still time for Ojantakanen to be the hero, as he was the only player to score in the shootout, giving JYP the points.
Assat are up to second in the table and are just a point behind Ilves thanks to a 1-0 win over KalPa in Kuopio. It's three wins in four for the Pori side, while KalPa have lost four in a row and only goal difference is keeping them out the relegation zone.
The home side dominated the shots on goal, having 10 more than Assat's 19, but Jan Bednar was equal to everything KalPa threw at him, as Kasper Bjorkqvist scored the only goal of the game on a powerplay four minutes into period three.
IFK Helsinki lifted themselves a point clear of the relegation zone but it could have been so much more had they not lost 4-3 to TPS Turku after another shootout. TPS are up to 10th with two wins in three, while the inconsistent HIFK climb to 13th.
The home side looked to be on course for victory after Daniel Makiaho and Lassi Vanhatalo scored either side of the first break to put them 2-0 up, only for Otto Paajanen, Kasper Pikkarainen and Lukas Wernblom to turn the match around with 10 minutes to play. That was enough time for Makiaho to level, but after a goalless overtime, he couldn't score again in a shootout where Pikkarainen was the only successful penalty taker.
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