JYP came into this match on the back of defeats to IFK Helsinki and top-four challengers KooKoo, but looked to be getting back on track when Trenton Bourque gave them the lead just over four minutes in, yet they failed to increase their advantage despite a run of six KalPa two-minute suspensions.
That lack of killer instinct came back to bite nine minutes into the second period when Konsta Kapanen equalised, before Andreas Okany gave KalPa the lead four minutes later.
In the third period, the Kuopio side taught their hosts a lesson in taking advantage when on top, as Aleksi Klemetti and Joona Saarelainen got on the board either side of Kapanen's second, giving KalPa a 5-1 lead with 12 minutes to play.
Leevi Tukiainen added a consolation for JYP to make it 5-2, but the Jyvaskyla side were well-beaten and remain without a point in 2026, locked together on 66 points with fifth-placed KooKoo, who were not in action this weekend.
Four goals in the third period turned what looked to be a certain loss for SaiPa away at Kiekko-Espoo into a dramatic 4-3 victory. It's a third win in four for SaiPa who go above JYP into third, while Kivikova cannot catch a break, losing for the third time in three games in 2026.
The leaders, meanwhile, had easier times of it - Joachim Blichfeld scored twice as Tappara scored five times in the second period to wrap up a 5-1 win at Assat. It's four wins on the bounce for the Battle Axe, while the Aces have just one victory in as many games and sit eighth.
After their 11-match winning run was ended last time out by IFK Helsinki, Ilves bounced back in fine style by thrashing the same opponents 6-0 on home ice.
Jens Looke and Samuli Ratinen bookended the scoring in the first and third periods, respectively, as Simon Johansson, John Nyberg, Matic Torok shorthanded and Erik Borg all got on the scoresheet in period two as the Lynx completely dominated.
Dominik Pavlat saved all 22 of the shots he faced as HIFK lost for the first time in four matches, though they have retained their spot in the Playoff places for now. Ilves remain sixth but are tied with JYP and KooKoo on 66 points apiece.
In the scrap for the Playoffs, Jukurit ended a two-match losing run and defended 12th place with a 3-1 win over bottom side Vaasan Sport, who have now lost four on the bounce.
Hameenlinna won 4-1 on the road at Pelicans for their second win in a row to stay a point behind the Mikkeli men, as the Lahti side now sit second-bottom following five games without a point.
Two third-period goals from Julius Junttila gave Karpat a 3-2 success on the road at TPS Turku as they moved up one place, above Pelicans, and are now four points from the Playoffs. TPS remain ninth with a fourth loss in five, but are now just three points ahead of 13th-placed Hameenlinna.
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