🔗 Share this article

Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"Got to give credit to the US," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, loaded with exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in regulation and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second span in the third period to give their team a two to one lead. Tuuva leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then assisted on his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University defenseman C. Hutson had a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head versus the Swiss and sitting out the next two contests.

"In my opinion we executed well for a lot of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the United States a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

Hutson scored on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder recorded twenty-one stops.

The Americans lost their last two games – falling 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after starting with their first three.

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," stated the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and fell just a bit short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

In the second match in the host city, the Canadian team routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. J. Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how dominant we are," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it kind of kills their morale."

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to help the Swedish side stay undefeated in five games.

In Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Relegation Match Result

The German team won the consolation match, beating Denmark eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its place for the following season in the top division. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.