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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning four to three victory over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"Got to give credit to the United States," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with great individuals and a well coached team. But I said we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. The Swedes defeated the Latvian side six to three, Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Third Period and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second burst in the third period to hand Finland a 2-1 lead. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 to go, then assisted on his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson had a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head versus the Swiss and missing two games.

"I thought we executed well for a lot of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A chances resulted from our mistakes."

His BU teammate C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one lead on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He accepted a pass from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right side.

C. Hutson tallied on a fast break 35 seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left side.

Goaltending Summary

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• The American netminder made 21 saves.

The Americans lost their last two games – losing 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It was an privilege to lead this group," stated the American bench boss. "They played a great game tonight and came up just short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our players left everything on the ice."

Other Quarter-Final Action

In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the first period, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it kind of saps their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to help the Swedish side stay perfect in five games.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Consolation Match Result

The German team won the relegation game, beating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams had two goals to help Germany keep its place next year in the top division. The Danish side dropped to the second tier.