Kuopio Steelers stay on top as Maple League playoff race tightens

With the regular season entering its final stretch, the Finnish Maple League playoff picture is beginning to take shape. The Kuopio Steelers sit atop the standings at 5-2, while the Porvoon Butchers and Seinäjoki Crocodiles remain within striking distance. Behind them, every game has become crucial as the rest of the league battles for postseason positioning.

1. Kuopio Steelers (5-2)

The Steelers remain the team to catch after picking up a 47-35 road victory over the Tampere Saints in Week 7. Their only defeats came against the East City Giants in the season opener and the Porvoon Butchers in a dramatic one-point contest. Wins over the Helsinki Roosters, Tampere Saints, East City Giants, and Wasa Royals have kept Kuopio in control of first place.

2. Porvoon Butchers (4-2)

The Butchers have steadily climbed into second after bouncing back from an early loss to the East City Giants. They own one of the league’s biggest wins after edging the Steelers 43-42 before adding victories over the Seinäjoki Crocodiles and Tampere Saints. Their 20-7 road win over the Crocodiles in Week 7 tightened the race at the top.

3. Seinäjoki Crocodiles (4-1)

Having played one fewer game than the teams above them, the Crocodiles remain in an excellent position. They opened the season with four straight victories over the Helsinki Roosters, East City Giants, Tampere Saints, and Porvoon Butchers before suffering their first loss against the Butchers in Week 7. With games in hand, Seinäjoki still controls its own path toward the top of the standings.

4. Tampere Saints (2-5)

The Saints have shown flashes of offensive firepower but have struggled to string together wins. Victories over the Wasa Royals and the East City Giants have been offset by losses to the league’s top contenders, including last week’s 47-35 defeat against the Steelers. They’ll need a strong finish to keep their playoff hopes alive.

5. Wasa Royals (2-3)

The Royals have remained in the middle of the playoff chase despite having played only five games. Wins over the Helsinki Roosters and Tampere Saints provided a solid start, but consecutive losses to the Kuopio Steelers, Tampere Saints, and the East City Giants have made the remaining schedule even more important.

6. Helsinki Roosters (2-3)

The defending champions have yet to find the consistency that carried them to last year’s title. Victories over the East City Giants and the Porvoon Butchers have kept the Roosters in contention, but they’ll need to capitalize on their remaining opportunities to climb back into the playoff picture.

7. East City Giants (2-5)

The record doesn’t tell the whole story for the Giants. They stunned the Kuopio Steelers in Week 1 and followed that with a road victory over the Wasa Royals in Week 7, proving they can compete with anyone in the league. If they can build on that momentum, they could still have a major say in how the Maple League playoff race unfolds.