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

"Got to give credit to the United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, loaded with great individuals and a well coached team. But I said we were seeking that payback from last year, and I think we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semi-finals Sunday, the Finns will face the Swedish team, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden defeated the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada had a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame Switzerland by a six to two margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period and the University of Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second span in the third to hand Finland a two to one lead. Tuuva tied it at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Key Performances and Reactions

The BU blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after being struck in the back of the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

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

His university colleague Cole Eiserman handed the United States a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from Hutson and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right side.

C. Hutson scored on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf recorded 21 saves.

The U.S. squad fell in their final two games – losing 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "They played a great game today and came up just short. All credit to Finland. It's an empty feeling right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Playoff Results

In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadian team routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how powerful we are," Martin said. "Going up five-nothing lead, it kind of kills their confidence."

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

In Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Relegation Match Result

The German team won the relegation game, beating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure Germany keep its place for the following season in the main event. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.