Ice Hockey team the Oulun Kärpät (the Oulu Stoats) trounced the Helsinki-based Jokerit (Jokers) in the third part of a dramatic final last night at the Oulun Energia Areena, in the Raksila district of Oulu. The Kärpät earned a final score of 5-2, 3 points ahead of the Jokerit, having dominated the game for most of the match.

The finals of the SM-Liiga (Suomen Mestaruus Liiga, the Finnish Premiership league for ice hockey) are decided by the best out of five matches. The first match, also held at Raksila, was a 3-2 win for the Oulu team. The second match, held at the Joker’s home venue the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, ended as a 2-4 win for Kärpät, putting them nicely ahead of the opponents.

 

The final victory, played before a packed arena and watched on nearly every television in Oulu, saw Kari Jalonen, the normally stoic coach, break into a smile as the Jokerit crumpled.

Oulun Kärpät also set a new Finnish Ice Hockey record - the first team to win ten consecutive games in a row. This marks the fourth championship for the Kärpät, who have won in 1981, 2004 and 2005.

Needless to say, the cold streets of Oulu last night were filled with celebrating fans as the team made their way to Club Teatria, the official venue for the celebration.