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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of overtime as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"Got to give full credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain A. Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with great individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, the Finns will face the Swedish team, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden defeated the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and Czechia topped the Swiss by a six to two score.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with 1:33 left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second span in the third to hand Finland a 2-1 lead. Tuuva tied it at 2 with 7:17 to go, then set up Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The Boston University defenseman C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after being struck in the back of the head against the Swiss and sitting out the next two contests.

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

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman gave the U.S. a two to one edge on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

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

Goaltending Summary

• Rimpinen stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf made 21 saves.

The U.S. squad lost their last two games – losing six to three to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It was an honor to lead this team," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a great game today and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an empty feeling right now, but our players left everything on the ice."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

In the late game in the host city, the Canadians overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the following period. Jack Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how powerful we are," Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it kind of kills their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedes stay perfect in five games.

In Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, Jiri Klima and Jakub Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Consolation Game Outcome

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating Denmark 8-4. M. Schams had two goals to ensure Germany retain its place next year in the top division. Denmark dropped to the second tier.