The Helsinki Roosters (4-2) overwhelmed the Helsinki Wolverines (1-5) 56-25 in a sweltering Week 6 Maple League clash at the Velodrome, showcasing their depth and offensive firepower against an injury-ravaged rival.
Roosters’ first-half explosion seals fate
A 42-7 halftime lead highlighted the Roosters’ dominance, with quarterback duo Ambro Urjansson (5/8, 112 yards, 1 TD) and Jerry Silomaa (6/9, 120 yards, 2 TDs) dissecting the Wolverines’ secondary. Defensive back Jyri Jääski added a pick-six, underscoring the team’s multifaceted threat. Six different players scored touchdowns as the Roosters capitalized on mismatches.
Wolverines’ fleeting positives amid collapse
Despite the lopsided loss, the Wolverines’ offensive line avoided surrendering a sack for the first time this season. Safety Sifiso Salama intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, while receiver Joshua Youngblood tallied 84 all-purpose yards. “We showed flashes, but depth issues caught up,” a Wolverines staffer noted postgame.
Photo: Jari Turunen
Depth fuels Roosters’ second-half cruise
With the result secure, the Roosters rotated backups without losing momentum. Running backs Lassi Pajarinen (2 TDs, 20+ yard runs) and Ville Hämäläinen gashed the Wolverines for 145 combined rushing yards. Pajarinen’s all-around performance earned him MVP honors, cementing his role as a breakout star.
Bye week offers contrasting outlooks
The Roosters enter their break as Maple Bowl favorites, averaging 38 points over their last three wins. The Wolverines, now 1-5, face a grim recovery window with 17 players sidelined, including key starters.
Key takeaway
The Roosters’ trench dominance and offensive versatility overwhelmed their crosstown rivals, while the Wolverines’ injury crisis and defensive frailties deepened. Pajarinen’s emergence as a dual-threat weapon signals growing depth for the title-hopeful Roosters.