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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three victory over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"We must give credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, loaded with exceptional players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from the previous final, and I believe we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, Finland will take on Sweden, while Canada will play the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side six to three, Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one romp over the Slovakian team, and Czechia overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Dramatic Third Period and Overtime

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period and the University of Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second burst in the third to hand their team a 2-1 lead. He leveled the score at two-all with 7:17 left, then assisted on his teammate's game-leading goal with 6:22 on the clock. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the head versus Switzerland and sitting out two games.

"In my opinion we executed well for most of the game," the defenseman said. "But the small details that they got, many of their Grade-A chances came from our mistakes."

His BU teammate C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the second period. 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. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left side.

Goaltending Summary

• Rimpinen stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder made 21 saves.

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

"It has been an honor to lead this group," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a great game today and fell just a bit short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Quarter-Final Action

In the late game in the host city, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how dominant we are," B. Martin remarked. "Going up five-nothing lead, it really saps their morale."

In the first quarter-final, Anton 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 their five outings.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Consolation Game Result

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating the Danes eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to help Germany keep its place for the following season in the main event. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.