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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning four to three victory over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the United States," remarked Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of great players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from the previous final, and I believe we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while Canada will meet Czechia. Sweden beat Latvia 6-3, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped the Swiss by a six to two score.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period 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 span in the third period to hand Finland a 2-1 lead. Tuuva leveled the score at 2 with 7:17 to go, then set up his teammate's go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Performances and Post-Game Comments

The BU defenseman C. Hutson had a goal and an assist for the United States after being struck in the back of the head against Switzerland and missing two games.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their high-quality chances resulted from our errors."

His university colleague C. Eiserman gave the United States a two to one edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from Hutson and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

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

Between the Pipes Stats

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

The Americans lost their final two games – falling 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to coach this team," stated the team's coach. "They played a terrific game today and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an empty feeling right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Quarter-Final Action

In the late game in Minneapolis, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the following period. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

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

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to aid the Swedes remain perfect in their five outings.

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

Consolation Match Result

Germany triumphed in the relegation game, beating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its place next year in the top division. The Danish side dropped to the second tier.