Question about U18 SM-sarja

[alko]

When i look to the schedule, there can i see this teams:

KalPa Ak
Kärpät Ak
.
.
On 09.01.2021 there are games:
Kärpät Ak vs KalPa Ak
and also
Kärpät vs KalPa

Now im a little bid confused. What is that? Some B teams?

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[Vepe21]

Those are indeed B-teams, the Ak stands for Akatemia, meaning Academy.

The thing here is that the teams aren't really in the same championship, even though they are, sort of.

I'll try to explain: So there is two levels in U18, the SM-sarja and Mestis. There are 18 teams in the SM-sarja at the beginning, and 33 in Mestis. The season is divided into phases, and after the first phase the top-10 of the SM-sarja continue in the "upper series" (this is where Kärpät and KalPa play), while the remaining 8 teams are joined by the top 8 from the 1st phase of U18 Mestis (this is where the Academy teams play). Officially both are a part of the U18 SM-sarja.

 

[alko]

Those are indeed B-teams, the Ak stands for Akatemia, meaning Academy.

The thing here is that the teams aren't really in the same championship, even though they are, sort of.

I'll try to explain: So there is two levels in U18, the SM-sarja and Mestis. There are 18 teams in the SM-sarja at the beginning, and 33 in Mestis. The season is divided into phases, and after the first phase the top-10 of the SM-sarja continue in the "upper series" (this is where Kärpät and KalPa play), while the remaining 8 teams are joined by the top 8 from the 1st phase of U18 Mestis (this is where the Academy teams play). Officially both are a part of the U18 SM-sarja.

Why to have something simple, if it could be difficult.

 

[Vepe21]

Why to have something simple, if it could be difficult.

I think the idea is to have more opportunities for more higher level games for teams and thus help in the development of players. There is a similar structure in all age groups.

 

[alko]

Is there any problem? I saw only few games this weekend.