After blowing a 3-0 series lead to IFK Helsinki, the Lahti Pelicans won to advance to the Liiga semifinals

The semifinals are set in Finland’s Liiga after the Lahti Pelicans staged a late come-from-behind victory over visiting IFK Helsinki in Game 7 of the quarterfinals.

Tied 2-2 after two periods, American defenseman Luke Martin – playing his first season in Europe – gave IFK the lead early in the third period but two goals from Swedish winger Lars Bryggman – the equalizer midway through the period and the series-winner with 1:03 remaining in regulation time – brought victory to the Pelicans to the delight and relief of most of the 4403 in attendance.

It capped a three-point night for Bryggman, who also had an assist in the second period. Linemate Ryan Lasch – an American center with a long and successful career in Europe – also chipped in with a goal and two helpers. Twenty-year-old netminder Niklas Kokko – a second-round pick of the Seattle Kraken in 2022 – stopped 14 of 17 for the win.

The late comeback to win spared the Pelicans the embarrassment of blowing a 3-0 series lead. Three of the first six games were decided in overtime, including HIFK’s Game 6 victory on Saturday.

The Pelicans–HIFK matchup was the lone quarterfinal series to go the distance.

In the semis, the Pelicans, who finished third in the Liiga’s regular season, will open up at home against fourth-seeded Kärpät Oulu. It's an interesting matchup for Kokko, who is from Oulu and grew up in the Kärpät system – he even played there the first half of this season. 

The other semifinal features the regular season’s top-ranked team, Tappara Tampere, against seventh-seeded KalPa Kuopio. Kalpa is just coming off an upset win over Tampere’s other team – Ilves – in the quarters.

Both semifinals are set to start on Friday.