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

"We must give full credit to the US," remarked Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, loaded with great players and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from the previous final, and I think we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. The Swedes defeated Latvia six to three, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one romp over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a six to two score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second span in the third period to give Finland a two to one advantage. Tuuva tied it at 2 with 7:17 to go, then assisted on his teammate's game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A chances came from our mistakes."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman handed the United States a two to one edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the middle frame. He took a feed from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

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

Goaltending Stats

• Rimpinen saved twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf recorded twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to lead this group," said the team's coach. "Our guys played a great game tonight and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our guys gave it all they had."

Other Quarter-Final Action

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

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how dominant we are," Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it really saps their confidence."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman L. Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to help the Swedes remain undefeated in their five outings.

In Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Consolation Game Result

Germany won the relegation game, defeating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure his nation keep its spot for the following season in the top division. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.