A 4-2 win in Kouvola set the tone for KooKoo in game one, and they backed that up with another two-goal victory in Lappeenranta.
They wasted no time in stamping their authority, as just five minutes were on the clock when Jimi Suomi travelled along the blue line before setting himself and firing the puck through traffic to break the deadlock.
Two minutes later it was 2-0 after a delightful reverse pass from Ville Meskanen found Veeti Miettinen in space in front of the net and he finished well.
The KooKoo momentum was quelled just seconds later when Marcus Davidsson was dismissed for boarding, and though SaiPa failed to make use of the long powerplay, the visitors were unable to extend their lead further before the first period was over.
But high-sticking from Samu Bau early in period two was just the opportunity they were looking for, and despite needing two bites of the cherry, Meskanen finished off the move on the powerplay to make it 3-0.
Once again, a goal was followed by a game misconduct penalty for KooKoo, as Jiri Parssinen was called for cross-checking, and this time SaiPa did make the most of the powerplay - albeit only when 5-on-3 after Otto Paajanen was also penalised - as Santeri Airola pulled a goal back.
KooKoo players continued to commit fouls but held off the home side's comeback and then retook a three-goal lead late in the period, again Suomi worked his magic to deke past defenders before shooting into the top corner.
Early in the third, SaiPa survived a penalty against Miikka Salomaki before the same player combined with Eemil Kuusla to set up Antti Kalapudas to make it 4-2, then with two minutes left, the dramatic comeback was on when Salomaki continued an eventful period with a goal of his own.
But in the end, KooKoo held on for the victory, which finished 5-3 in the end after Vilmos Gallo found the empty SaiPa net with 30 seconds to play. KooKoo have the chance to take a 3-0 lead when the teams go back to Kouvola for game three on Tuesday 21st April.