Assat had needed back-to-back overtime wins to keep that run going, but it looked like their luck was finally out in Lahti, as Anton Kettunen put Pelicans ahead in the ninth minute, before Onni Kayhko doubled the hosts' lead just past the midpoint of the opening period.
Having been dominated in the first period, Assat had more shots on goal than their opponents across the following 40 minutes, but they could find no way past Pelicans' goaltender Patrik Bartosak, who kept out all 19 shots on goal that came his way.
Thus the two goals were enough for the home side, who have won two in a row for the first time in over a month. Assat's place at the top of the pile was not under threat today, as second-placed JYP were not in action.
Pelicans' points were made all the more important by the fact Vaasan Sport scored three times in the final period to beat TPS Turku 3-1, but stay in the bottom two owing to Pelicans' victory.
Remaining rock bottom are IFK Helsinki, who were thrashed 8-1 at the hands of KooKoo - it's a fifth win in succession for the Kouvola side who remain in fourth place, unable to draw level with Tappara who needed an overtime winner to beat Jukurit 3-2 on the road.
Lukko lost ground to KooKoo in the race for the top four, as they were soundly beaten in a match between Champions Hockey League sides, going down 6-2 to KalPa. The champions go ninth, a place behind Kiekko-Espoo, who beat Ilves 4-3 after overtime.
