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Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday evening in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"Got to give full credit to the United States," remarked Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of exceptional players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I think we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden beat the Latvian side 6-3, Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one romp over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs topped the Swiss by a six to two score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 left in the third period and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second burst in the third to hand Finland a two to one lead. Tuuva leveled the score at two-all with 7:17 to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Performances and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the head versus the Swiss and sitting out two games.

"I thought we executed well for a lot of the game," the defenseman said. "But the small details that they got, many of their high-quality opportunities resulted from our errors."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the United States a two to one edge on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He took a feed from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer 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

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• Kempf recorded 21 saves.

The U.S. squad lost their final two games – losing 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It was an privilege to lead this team," stated the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game today and fell just a bit short. All credit to the Finns. It's an empty feeling at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Action

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

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," B. Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it really saps 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 remain undefeated in their five outings.

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

Consolation Game Result

The German team triumphed in the relegation game, beating Denmark 8-4. M. Schams had two goals to ensure his nation keep its spot next year in the top division. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.