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Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning four to three win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the US," remarked Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while Canada will meet Czechia. The Swedes defeated Latvia 6-3, Canada had a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a six to two score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second span in the third to give their team a 2-1 advantage. Tuuva tied it at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The BU blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and an assist for the Americans after being struck in the head versus the Swiss and sitting out the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for a lot of the game," the defenseman said. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their Grade-A opportunities came from our errors."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 lead on a man advantage with 9:45 left in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right side.

Hutson scored on a rush 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Finland's goalie saved twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder made 21 saves.

The Americans lost their final two games – falling six to three to Sweden on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after starting with their first three.

"It has been an honor to lead this team," said the American bench boss. "They played a great game today and came up just short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow emotion at the moment, but our players left everything on the ice."

Additional Playoff Action

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the first period, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," Martin remarked. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it kind of saps their confidence."

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedish side remain undefeated in five games.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, Adam Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Relegation Game Result

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, defeating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams had two goals to help Germany keep its place for the following season in the main event. The Danish side dropped to Division I-A.