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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning four to three victory 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 US," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semi-finals Sunday, Finland will take on Sweden, while Canada will play the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side six to three, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs topped the Swiss by a six to two margin.

Thrilling Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in the third period and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second span in the third to give their team a 2-1 advantage. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then set up his teammate's game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The BU blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for a lot of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their Grade-A opportunities resulted from our errors."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one lead on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He took a feed from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

C. Hutson tallied on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Rimpinen stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad lost their final two games – falling six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

"It has been an privilege to coach this team," said the team's coach. "Our guys played a great game tonight and fell just a bit short. Give Finland. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Quarter-Final Results

In the late game in Minneapolis, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the first period, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it kind of kills their morale."

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedes stay undefeated in their five outings.

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

Consolation Game Result

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure his nation keep its place next year in the main event. The Danish side dropped to Division I-A.