The Finnish Team Shocks Two-Time Defending Title Holders the United States in World Junior Quarter-Finals.

Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning four to three victory over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"Got to give credit to the US," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with great players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from the previous final, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side six to three, Canada had a five-goal first period in a seven to one romp over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a six to two score.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 remaining in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second span in the third period to give Finland a two to one advantage. He leveled the score at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then set up his teammate's go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Performances and Post-Game Comments

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

"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 resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a 2-1 edge on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

Hutson scored on a fast break 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Rimpinen stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf made 21 saves.

The Americans fell in their final two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It was an privilege to lead this group," said the American bench boss. "They played a terrific game today and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an hollow emotion at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Playoff Action

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," B. Martin said. "Taking a 5-0 advantage, it kind of kills their morale."

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell scored twice for 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 Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Consolation Match Result

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, beating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its spot for the following season in the main event. Denmark dropped to the second tier.