SM-Liiga schedule

How is the 56 game schedule created ? Is it simply four games against every other teams and eight games against random opponents ?

How is the 56 game schedule created ? Is it simply four games against every other teams and eight games against random opponents ?

13 teams play 4 times against each team = 48 games

Additionally, there is one group of 5 and two groups of 4.

Blues, HIFK, Jokerit, TPS
HPK, Ilves, Pelicans, Tappara
JYP, Kärpät, Lukko, SaiPa, Ässät

In 5-team group, each team plays two extra games (home-away) against everyone. = 8 games

In 4-team groups, there is double round-robin as well, but additionally pairs Blues-TPS, HIFK-Jokerit, HPK-Pelicans and Ilves-Tappara play two games against each other. = 8 games.

So Blues plays for example:
TPS 8 times
HIFK 6 times
Jokerit 6 times
others 4 times

It's sure is an interesting way to have more games between rival teams, but it could be really unbalanced. Is it well accepted ?

It's sure is an interesting way to have more games between rival teams, but it could be really unbalanced. Is it well accepted ?

By those interested in making profit, yes. For now.

By those watching hockey, no.

Even ignoring the unbalance of the system, there are too many games of this type. The rivalries are starting to lose their meaning.

Not that there's much rivalry going on between TPS and Espoo Blues anyway. Only one of these teams have enjoyed success and Turku and Espoo aren't exactly neighbour cities. The fans of both teams are just sick of facing each other time and time again.

I would personally prefer a 14-team league with a 52-game schedule.

Last year, Blues and TPS met also in best-of-7 quarterfinals, and so these teams had a total of 14 matches against each other (TPS won 4-2)

8 is too much against same team, and having playoffs added to this, not good. of course, I like watching playoffs, but still I would have preferred some other team as an opponent.

If KalPa is added for next year (and Pelicans not dropped), I think the best system is what Sampe said.

Yes, except the team added won't be Kalpa but the winner of Mestis (either Kalpa or Sport).

Sport's getting ignored too much because everyone has wet dreams of getting Kalpa into SM-Liiga, well sorry but if they're worse than Sport then they deserve to stay in Mestis.

Sport's getting ignored too much because everyone has wet dreams of getting Kalpa into SM-Liiga, well sorry but if they're worse than Sport then they deserve to stay in Mestis.

Why can't they both join SM Liiga?Especially if Lahti Pelicans do go bankrupt.That would still provid a 14 team league.