Tappara would have lost their long-held first place had SaiPa beaten JYP two nights ago following back-to-back losses against IFK Helsinki and TPS Turku, and that seemed to act as a wake-up call, particularly for Eetu and Joni Tuulola, who put the visitors 2-0 up in just over five minutes.
When Simon Johansson was sent to the box, Tappara took full advantage of their first powerplay to make it 3-0 midway through the first period, as Kristian Tanus got his name on the scoresheet.
After a slashing call against Kasper Simontaival, Ilves managed to hit back on their first powerplay soon after, as Jens Looke scored in the 12th minute, and 3-1 was how it stayed until the 20-minute mark.
Oliver Suvanto was twice penalised in the second period, but Ilves failed to reduce the deficit further on both resulting powerplays, which came back to haunt them later in the period, as Simontaival scored his second of the game, then Oiva Keskinen made it 5-1 in the 40th minute.
Lukas Svekjovsky pulled one back for Ilves early in the final period, but that was no more than a consolation, especially as Daniel Brickley added another for Tappara two minutes later, securing a 6-2 final score which levels the Tampere derby head-to-head record at two wins each this season.
It also takes Tappara's lead back to four points, while Ilves are sixth - three points shy of the top four - following a third loss in four.
Ilves are, in fact, only three points shy of the top three, as Lukko fell to a third consecutive loss after Assat secured a 2-1 overtime win on home ice. Jonne Tammela scored the decisive goal that moves the Aces to within six points of the top four despite remaining in eighth place.
Kiekko-Espoo are one place but nine points behind Assat after they lost for the second game in a row, beaten by Karpat who held on for a 2-1 victory on the road. It's a third win in four for the Oulu side, who are now just three points outside the Playoff places.
Karpat remain one from bottom thanks to an Aidan Dudas goal in overtime which gave Pelicans a 4-3 win over TPS Turku. It's two wins on the spin for the Lahti side, who are now just two points from Playoff contention, while TPS' 11th place is looking more precarious after three losses in four.