Finland Stuns Two-Time Defending Title Holders US in World Junior Quarterfinal Round.

Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win 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 United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will play Czechia. The Swedes beat the Latvian side six to three, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs topped the Swiss by a six to two score.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second span in the third to give Finland a two to one advantage. Tuuva leveled the score at 2 with 7:17 left, then set up Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Reactions

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

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

His BU teammate C. Eiserman gave the United States a two to one edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He took a feed from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

C. Hutson scored on a fast break 35 seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left side.

Goaltending Stats

• Finland's goalie saved 28 shots.
• Kempf recorded twenty-one stops.

The Americans lost their final two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

"It was an privilege to lead this group," stated the team's coach. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an empty feeling at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Other Quarter-Final Results

In the second match in the host city, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

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

"Just goes to show how powerful we are," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it kind of saps their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, Anton 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.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, Adam Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr provided the goals for the Czech team.

Relegation Game Result

The German team triumphed in the relegation game, beating Denmark eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to help his nation keep its spot next year in the main event. Denmark dropped to the second tier.