Kiekko-Pojat Joensuu — RoKi Rovaniemi: 5:2, Mestis

Kiekko-Pojat Joensuu beat RoKi Rovaniemi 5-2 in Mestis on Saturday. The hosts took all three points at home, while the visitors left with nothing despite arriving on the back of a win. The result shifts the balance between two sides that met earlier this month.

Kiekko-Pojat sit fifth after ten games, six losses and four wins. RoKi sit fourth after nine games, three defeats and six wins. Both teams start on zero points at this stage, so the table tells only part of the story. The recent form adds an edge to what happened today.

Kiekko-Pojat had won 3-2 against KeuPa on Thursday and beat Germes 5-4 earlier in October. RoKi came into the fixture with a 1-0 victory over Kettera on Friday. That away win gave the visitors a sense of momentum, but the hosts kept them in it all evening. RoKi's confidence from their previous meeting didn't translate here.

The earlier encounter on 3 October ended 3-4 to RoKi, and we backed the visitors at 44% confidence. That prediction didn't come off. Kiekko-Pojat switched off at the back in the first period, then tightened things up. The visitors were left flat-footed when the hosts raised the tempo.

Five goals for the hosts and two for the visitors marks a clear shift in control. RoKi had chances but couldn't convert when it mattered. Kiekko-Pojat took their opportunities and got over the line. The scoreline reflects a game where one side dominated the key moments.