1996–97 I-Divisioona season
The 1996/97 season was the 23rd season of the I- divisioona, the second highest Finnish ice hockey league. The top six teams qualified for the SM- liiga relegation in which all failed six teams. The four last placed rose directly from the third league. In addition, the teams failed in the squares 11 and 12 in the relegation and also dismounted.
Mode
In the main round each of the 16 teams completed a total of 30 games. The top eight teams in the main round qualified for the final round, the six best teams again qualified for the SM- liiga relegation. The remaining eight teams in the Main Round completed a relegation round, descended the four last placed in the third division, while the teams had to play on the courts 11 and 12 of the relegation round in the relegation for the league. The results from the main round were incorporated into the final or relegation round. For a win, each team was given two points, a draw there was a point and a defeat.
Final round
Sp = Matches, W = Wins, D = Draws, L = Defeats
Relegation round
Sp = Matches, W = Wins, D = Draws, L = Defeats
Expulsion
- Kiekko -67 Turku - Vaasan Sport 1:2 ( 5:3, 2:7, 1:2 aet)
- Discos Jyväskylä - Titaanit Kotka 2:1 ( 5:3, 1:2, 4:1)