Finland Upsets Two-Time Defending Champions US in World Junior Quarterfinal Round.

Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday evening in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"Got to give credit to the United States," remarked Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, full of exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from last year, and I believe we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals Sunday, the Finns will take on Sweden, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. The Swedes beat Latvia six to three, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second burst in the third to hand Finland a two to one lead. Tuuva tied it at two-all with 7:17 to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for most of the game," the defenseman said. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A opportunities resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the U.S. a two to one lead on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right side.

Hutson scored on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen stopped 28 shots.
• Kempf recorded twenty-one stops.

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

"It has been an privilege to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and fell just a bit short. All credit to Finland. It's an empty emotion at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Playoff Results

In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadian team routed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the following period. Jack Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," B. Martin remarked. "Going up 5-0 lead, it kind of saps their confidence."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to aid the Swedish side remain undefeated in five games.

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

Consolation Match Outcome

Germany won the consolation match, defeating the Danes eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to help Germany retain its spot for the following season in the top division. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.