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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning four to three win over the two-time defending champion United States on Friday evening in the world junior hockey last eight.

"Got to give full credit to the United States," remarked Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional players and a superbly organized team. But I said we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I believe we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side 6-3, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one romp over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with 1:33 left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second burst in the third to hand Finland a two to one advantage. He leveled the score at two-all with 7:17 left, then assisted on his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Performances and Post-Game Comments

The BU defenseman Cole Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head versus Switzerland and sitting out two games.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A opportunities came from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman gave the U.S. a two to one edge on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right circle.

Hutson tallied 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 Stats

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

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – losing 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale – after starting with their first three.

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

Additional Quarter-Final Results

In the second match in the host city, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," Martin said. "Going up five-nothing lead, it really saps their morale."

In the opening playoff game, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedes stay undefeated in five games.

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

Relegation Match Result

The German team triumphed in the relegation game, beating the Danes eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to help his nation keep its place for the following season in the main event. Denmark was relegated to Division I-A.