JYP secured a 3:1 victory over Pelicans Lahti in the Liiga on Friday, extending their unbeaten start to the campaign. The result keeps the visitors at the summit of the table, while Pelicans remain in seventh after six matches. I had backed the home side at 42 per cent confidence, but the game unfolded quite differently to what I expected.
JYP have now won all five of their opening fixtures, maintaining that flawless run away from home. Pelicans, by contrast, have taken three losses in their six games so far. The visitors' recent form has been impressive — four wins in their last five outings, including a convincing 4:2 win over Jokerit.
The match itself was not a spectacle in the traditional sense. JYP controlled the tempo without dominating possession, and it was the visitors who carved them open when it mattered. Pelicans struggled to find rhythm against a side that let the game flow with purpose rather than panic.
The table situation is worth noting, though the points display is unusual. Both teams show zero points despite having played multiple matches — the hosts with six games and the visitors with five. That pattern suggests the standings are still being compiled, so I won't read too much into the numbers yet.
What did stand out was JYP's composure after going ahead. They saw it out without chasing the result or slowing down. Pelicans pushed for something but couldn't claw their way back against a team that looked comfortable in their system.
The result means JYP stay top with a perfect record, while Pelicans have work to do. They were not outclassed so much as outthought — and that distinction matters when you're trying to understand where things went wrong.
