The Finnish Team Shocks Back-to-Back Defending Champions US in World Junior Quarter-Finals.

Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"Got to give full credit to the United States," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I said we were seeking that payback from last year, and I think we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden defeated Latvia six to three, Canada had a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker knotted the score for the United States with 1:33 left in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second span in the third period to hand their team a 2-1 lead. He leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then assisted on his teammate's game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the United States after being struck in the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances came from our errors."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from Hutson and fooled Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

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

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• The American netminder made 21 saves.

The U.S. squad lost their last two games – falling 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an honor to lead this team," said the team's coach. "They played a terrific game today and fell just a bit short. Give Finland. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our guys gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Action

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it really saps their morale."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to help the Swedes remain perfect in five games.

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

Consolation Match Outcome

The German team triumphed in the relegation game, defeating the Danes 8-4. M. Schams scored twice to ensure Germany keep its spot for the following season in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.