1996–97 SM-liiga season
The 1996–97 SM-liiga season was the 22nd season of the SM-liiga, the top level of ice hockey in Finland. 12 teams participated in the league, and Jokerit Helsinki won the championship.
Standings
| Club | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | Diff | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jokerit | 50 | 35 | 4 | 11 | 192 | 116 | +76 | 74 |
| 2 | TPS |
50 | 32 | 7 | 11 | 191 | 105 | +86 | 71 |
| 3 | HPK | 50 | 28 | 7 | 15 | 190 | 143 | +47 | 63 |
| 4 | Ilves | 50 | 26 | 7 | 17 | 183 | 147 | +36 | 59 |
| 5 | JYP | 50 | 25 | 6 | 19 | 163 | 136 | +27 | 56 |
| 6 | Kiekko-Espoo |
50 | 21 | 9 | 20 | 154 | 163 | -9 | 51 |
| 7 | Ässät | 50 | 19 | 10 | 21 | 171 | 181 | -10 | 48 |
| 8 | Tappara | 50 | 18 | 8 | 24 | 139 | 171 | -32 | 44 |
| 9 | HIFK | 50 | 17 | 8 | 25 | 159 | 171 | -12 | 42 |
| 10 | Lukko | 50 | 16 | 5 | 29 | 136 | 170 | -34 | 37 |
| 11 | SaiPa | 50 | 13 | 8 | 29 | 118 | 181 | -63 | 34 |
| 12 | KalPa | 50 | 8 | 5 | 37 | 116 | 228 | -112 | 21 |
Playoffs
Quarterfinals
- Jokerit - Tappara 3:0 (3:1, 6:5 P, 4:0)
- TPS - Ässät3:1 (1:3, 7:4, 6:3, 4:2)
- Kiekko-Espoo3:1 (3:0, 4:3, 2:3, 4:3)
- Ilves - JYP 3:1 (4:2, 1:6, 4:1, 5:2)
Semifinal
3rd place
Final
- TPS3:0 (3:2 P, 4:2, 4:0)
Relegation
First round
- KalPa - Haukat 3–0 on series
- Kärpät - Karhut 3–0 on series
Final
- KalPa - Kärpät 3–0 on series