1977–78 Porin Ässät season
Ässät won its second Finnish title and earned European Cup bronze.
The 1977–78 season was Porin Ässät's third in the SM-liiga and their eleventh overall in Finland's top ice hockey tier. They placed second in the regular season, trailing Tappara by two points. In the playoffs, Ässät defeated TPS 3–2 in the semifinals, then lost the first game of the final series to Tappara 8–0 in Tampere. Ässät won the next three games to claim the Finnish championship for the second time in club history. The decisive match at the Pori Ice Hall drew an estimated crowd of over 14,000, despite the arena's official capacity of 8,600; the violation led to a court case, and the attendance set a new record for any hockey game in Finland. The championship also earned Ässät a place in the 1978–79 IIHF European Cup, where they entered directly in the fourth round, beat Podhale Nowy Targ 7–2, and advanced to the final series. After losses to Poldi Kladno (8–3) and CSKA Moscow (12–3), they defeated Skellefteå AIK 3–2 to finish third and win the bronze medal.
The team's regular season began with a 7–1 win over Kiekko-Reipas. Their largest victory came in a Satakunnan derby against Rauman Lukko, winning 17–3 at home. Key players included captain and center Veli-Pekka Ketola, who returned from the North American WHA League and set a playoff point record, along with Pekka Rautakallio, also back from North America, and promising young talents Arto Javanainen, Kari Makkonen, Tapio Levo, and Harry Nikander. During the early years of the SM-liiga in the late 1970s, Ässät was one of the league's strongest teams.
Quick Facts
- Season
- 1977–78
- League
- SM-liiga
- Team
- Porin Ässät
- Leaguerank
- 2nd
- Record
- 24–2–10
- Goalsfor
- 194
- Goalsagainst
- 121
- Coach
- Lasse Heikkilä
- Captain
- Veli-Pekka Ketola
- Arena
- Pori Ice Hall
- Goalsleader
- Veli-Pekka Ketola (27)
- Assistsleader
- Tapio Koskinen (30)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The 1977–78 season again raised hopes of success when Pekka Rautakallio and Veli-Pekka Ketola returned to Ässät from North America. In addition, promising young people played in the club, such as Arto Javanainen, Kari Makkonen, Tapio Levo and Harry Nikander. Ässät's regular season started with a 7–1 victory over Kiekko-Reipas. Ässät's biggest victory in the season came in a Satakunnan derby rivalry match against Rauman Lukko, when Ässät beat them 17–3 at home.
Reader's Guide
Ässät finished second in the regular season after Tappara and defeated TPS 3–2 in the semi-finals. The final series against Tappara did not start promisingly, as Tappara won the first match in Tampere 8–0. However, Ässät won the rest of the games, and the club achieved its second Finnish Championship. The last match at the Pori Ice Hall was estimated to have been attended by more than 14,000 spectators, even though only 8,600 spectators should have been allowed into the arena at that time. The violation was taken into court. There were more spectators in the auditorium than in any other previous hockey match played in Finland. In the early years of the SM-liiga in the second half of the 1970s, Ässät was one of the league's absolute top teams. The most important player on the team was the captain, center Veli-Pekka Ketola, who had returned from the North American WHA League. Ketola broke the point record in the playoffs at the time. By winning the SM-liiga championship, Ässät qualified for the 1978–79 IIHF European Cup, directly to the fourth round. Ässät beat Podhale Nowy Targ 7–2 and advanced straight to the final series with four other teams. Ässät's first game in the final series ended in a 3–8 loss to Poldi Kladno. The second game Ässät lost 3–12 against CSKA Moscow, but by beating Skellefteå AIK 3–2 in the 3rd match, Ässät barely finished third place and won bronze.
Did You Know?
- The final match at Pori Ice Hall had an estimated attendance of over 14,000, though capacity was only 8,600.
- Veli-Pekka Ketola broke the playoff point record that season.
- Ässät's biggest victory was a 17–3 home win over Rauman Lukko.
- Ässät won bronze in the 1978–79 IIHF European Cup.
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