SaiPa took a 3-0 lead in the first period against Ässät, securing the victory that eliminated their opponents from playoff contention. The game marked the final appearance for Jan-Mikael Järvinen, who played his last match for Ässät; he had been with the team for four years. The 38-year-old will play for Ilves in Tampere next season, though his specific role with the new team has not been announced. According to Ilta-Sanomat, Jan-Mikael Järvinen described his decision to leave Ässät as difficult, noting there are other things in life besides hockey that required consideration. He also stated that Ässät has risen to a new level in recent years after difficult periods.
In Switzerland, the SCL Tigers' season ended with a 2-0 loss to ZSC Lions in the final regular season game. According to Watson, the Tigers had no chance to reach the play-ins before their last match. The game also marked the final appearance for Harri Pesonen, who played his last match for SCL Tigers. According to Watson, Harri Pesonen described the occasion as very emotional. Fans held a choreography for Pesonen with the message 'Kiitos Harri!' before the game, though his future career plans after leaving the Tigers remain unclear.
The feelings were deep at that point.
Jonathan Dahlén, who has signed a one-year contract with SCL Tigers, outlined his long-term career intentions. According to Hockeysverige, Jonathan Dahlén described his goal as being abroad for a couple of years before potentially returning to Timrå. He stated that if his body holds up and if Timrå wants him back, his aim is to finish his career there. According to Hockeysverige, Jeremy Boyce has meant a lot to Jonathan Dahlén, though the exact terms or duration of his contract with SCL Tigers beyond the one-year deal have not been disclosed.
Elsewhere, several other players concluded their tenures with clubs. Mie Sörensen played her last match for Boden Handboll, which was eliminated by H65 Höör in the quarterfinals. Dartaye Ruffin, 35, played his last match for Nässjö, though his retirement or future plans are unknown. Timrå lost to Växjö in their last match, concluding their season without playoff advancement.
Really big. Amazing people and what we came here to do, we achieved it, meaning creating a culture and such. This time will stay in my heart.
There's still enough energy in the man. Let's digest this first.
In its own way, it was a difficult decision. There are other things in life besides hockey. Sometimes you have to weigh those too. Based on that, we move forward.
We got pretty far this year too. Before the season, few believed in us. Still, the team was tenacious. We managed to dig out a sixth place. Wasn't it said somewhere that we were the worst team that entered these playoffs?
We knew that we have the game there, if we just get the belief back. We managed to play quite decently.
Still, we managed to overcome them after difficult moments, and we came through the mud, so to speak. There was a lot of writing and other things, but here we are. If we had gotten better special situations, we would have been among the four from Saturday onwards.
These things depend on small details. The guy also had an incredibly strong penalty kill.
We have moved forward quite a lot as a team and as an organization. We are quite a credible bunch at the moment.
If my body holds up and if Timrå wants me back, then of course my goal is to finish here.
No, it's invaluable. He has done incredibly well and been nice ever since I came up to the A-team. Fantastic work every day and he has played many, many seasons. Everything. I need to collect myself but I am very moved. Fantastic tribute today, and Boyce is too. For me, I really love playing here and it has been a fantastic time. It's bitter that it ends like this.
It's impossible, it's completely impossible. I may be from Östersund but this is my home and has become... the relationship with the fans and everything. I have loved every second of playing here.
My goal is to be abroad for a couple of years. That's why it's incredibly tough to leave now. If my body holds up and if Timrå wants me back, then of course my goal is to finish here.
It is very emotional for me.