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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning four to three win over the two-time defending champion United States on Friday evening in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"We must give full credit to the United States," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with great individuals and a superbly organized team. But I said we wanted that payback from last year, and I think we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will face the Swedish team, while Canada will meet Czechia. The Swedes defeated the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one romp over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a six to two score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the University of Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second burst in the third to hand Finland a 2-1 lead. He leveled the score at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then set up Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Performances and Reactions

The BU blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head against Switzerland and sitting out two games.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," the defenseman said. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the U.S. a 2-1 edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

C. Hutson scored on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Finland's goalie saved 28 shots.
• Kempf made 21 saves.

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – losing six to three to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an honor to coach this team," stated the team's coach. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and came up just short. Give the Finns. It's an empty emotion at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Playoff Action

In the late game in the host city, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it kind of kills their morale."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to help the Swedish side stay perfect in five games.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Consolation Game Outcome

Germany won the relegation game, defeating the Danes 8-4. M. Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its place next year in the main event. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.