🔗 Share this article

Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory 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 Finnish captain A. Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional players and a well coached team. But I said we were seeking that revenge from the previous final, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, the Finns will take on Sweden, while Canada will play the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side six to three, Canada had a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and Czechia topped the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second span in the third to give Finland a two to one lead. He leveled the score at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Performances and Post-Game Comments

The BU defenseman C. Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head versus the Swiss and sitting out two games.

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

His university colleague Cole Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one lead on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the second period. He took a feed from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right side.

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

Between the Pipes Stats

• Finland's goalie saved 28 shots.
• The American netminder 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 was an privilege to lead this group," stated the team's coach. "They played a terrific game today and came up just short. All credit to Finland. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Results

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

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how powerful we are," Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it really kills their confidence."

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

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis T. Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Relegation Game Result

The German team won the consolation match, defeating Denmark eight to four. M. Schams had two goals to ensure Germany keep its place for the following season in the main event. Denmark dropped to the second tier.