Maple League semifinals: Steelers, Crocodiles renew playoff rivalry in Kuopio

The Kuopio Steelers (7-3) host the Seinäjoki Crocodiles (7-3) Friday at Väinölänniemi with a spot in Maple Bowl XLVII on the line and a painful piece of recent playoff history hanging over the matchup.

The Crocodiles knocked the Steelers out in this same semifinal a year ago, punching their ticket to the championship game in overtime. This time, Kuopio enters as the No. 2 seed after beating Seinäjoki twice during the regular season.

The winner advances to face either the Porvoon Butchers or Helsinki Roosters in the September 12 championship game at Bolt Arena in Helsinki.

Steelers must replace Mack

The biggest question facing the Steelers is how their offense responds without star running back Joshua Mack, who will miss the semifinal through suspension.

And Mack isn’t the only absence. National team linemen Henri Hietajärvi and Elmeri Saastamoinen are also out, leaving Kuopio with some reshuffling to do for its biggest game of the season.

Tuukka Lehtonen is listed as the starting running back, but Christopher Cox gives the Steelers an intriguing alternative. Cox has primarily played on defense this season, but he has experience carrying the football. He lined up at running back for the Frederikssund Oaks in Denmark in 2025 and was named the league’s MVP.

The Steelers also get some help back. Daniel Rubinstein has returned to the offensive lineup, while linebacker Jaakko Paananen is available again after missing several games.

Crocodiles bring a dangerous ground game

The Crocodiles have their own uncertainty in the backfield, with Arttu Blomqvist listed as questionable despite appearing in the starting lineup.

If Blomqvist can go, his running ability alongside quarterback CJ Fowler gives the Steelers another problem to solve. Seinäjoki also comes into the postseason with momentum after producing what was described as its best performance of the season against the Helsinki Roosters in the final round.

The defense has been the backbone of the Crocodiles, allowing fewer yards than any other unit in the league. Aatu Tuokko leads Seinäjoki with 62.5 tackles and will be right in the middle of the challenge against one of the league’s most productive offenses.

Last year’s finish still looms large

These teams don’t need much introduction.

Last year’s semifinal went to overtime before Akseli Syrjänen kicked the Crocodiles into the championship game. The twist this time is that Syrjänen will be wearing Steelers colors.

Kuopio has already beaten Seinäjoki twice this season, but playoff football wipes away much of what happened during the regular season. The Crocodiles know they can win at this stage against the Steelers, while Kuopio has spent its bye week preparing for life without Mack.

The Steelers have home field and two wins over the Crocodiles in their pocket. Seinäjoki has last year’s semifinal memory and a defense capable of making every yard difficult.

On Friday night at Väinölänniemi, one of them gets another shot at the Maple Bowl.