Elimination preview: 2021

Can Hamina turn their fortunes around and break SiiPe’s home record?

Whilst the spotlight is on the top 8, the most intriguing matchup is the elimination series between SiiPe and Hamina. The loser will be relegated, the winner will have the change to stay in Superpesis if they can beat the league leaders in Ykköspesis (which will be either Oulu or Kuopio). 


(14) SiiPe v (15) Hamina

SiiPe start this series coming off the back of a remarkably up and down season. Siilinjärvi have beaten the likes of KPL, KiPa, Seinäjoki and Tahko - all at home. In fact, their home record has been so much at odds with their away record, that their points won from home games was 13 (an average of 0.93 per game) and points won from away games was a disastrous 2 (an average of 0.17). 


On the other side, Hamina have struggled to reach their potential in 2021, mostly as a result of a series of injuries to Sasu Toikka and Matias Hangasmaa, but the lost opportunities and games where points were given away added to their woes. Hamina have since replaced their game manager and undertaken a forced break in their schedule due to a positive covid case. The recent results from Hamina are a stark contrast to their earlier form - prior to the Covid break Hamina had 5 points, but since the break have scored 6 points from 8 games (0.75 points per game). The points may not seem that impressive, but  4 of the 8 games consisted of games against Manse and Sotkamo! 


The fact that SiiPe has home advantage makes this series interesting; ordinarily, Hamina would be clear favourites (especially considering they beat them 2-0  in their only game during the regular season), but the fact that SiiPe has home field advantage will throw some uncertainty into the mix. Whilst SiiPe may have some great home results, they are currently on a 13 game losing streak and their season has been in decline for some time.


Prediction: SiiPe 1 - 3 Hamina


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