KooKoo’s historic ice hockey spring turns Kouvola orange and black

The city of Kouvola is embracing its local ice hockey team KooKoo as the club reaches its first-ever SM-liiga finals, with residents donning the team’s orange-and-black colours and rallying around the underdog story, Yle reports.

KooKoo now leads the best-of-seven final series 2–0 against Tappara, following a dramatic 3–2 victory on Monday. The team’s success has sparked widespread celebration, with fans decorating shop windows, balconies, and even their hair in the club’s signature colours. Handmade orange-and-black hearts and flags are visible across the city, while strangers bond over discussions of the team’s chances.

At Bomonti pub, owner Alparslan Arik describes how each game draws bigger crowds, with cheers erupting after every KooKoo goal. “People buy drinks for each other—it’s a real community moment,” he says. The excitement extends to public squares, where screens broadcast games and fans gather even on non-game days.

Kouvola’s marketing chief Charissa McCarron notes that the team’s run has fostered rare unity in a spring otherwise marked by budget cuts, school closures, and negative headlines. “This is something that truly brings people together,” she says. “You can feel it in your heart.”

For long-time fan Jere Huuhko, the finals berth fulfils a lifelong dream. “We’ve only ever dared imagine this,” he admits, though he tries to stay grounded. The city has leaned into the hype, handing out KooKoo-branded pucks and flying the team’s colours outside city hall on game days.

With the series resuming Wednesday in Tampere, locals hope KooKoo’s success will reshape Kouvola’s image. “It’s a great feeling,” Arik says. “The city is full of friendly people—now the world can see that.”