🔗 Share this article

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

"Got to give credit to the US," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, loaded with great players and a superbly organized team. But I said we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, the Finns will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. The Swedes beat Latvia six to three, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a six to two score.

Dramatic Final Frame and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the University of Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second burst in the third to hand Finland a two to one lead. Tuuva tied it at 2 with 7:17 to go, then assisted on his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Reactions

The Boston University defenseman C. Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the Americans after being struck in the head against the Swiss and sitting out two games.

"In my opinion we executed well for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A opportunities resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

C. Hutson tallied on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Summary

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

The U.S. squad lost their final two games – losing six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their initial three matches.

"It was an honor to lead this team," said the team's coach. "They played a great game tonight and fell just a bit short. Give Finland. It's an hollow emotion at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Quarter-Final Results

In the late game in the host city, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the second. Jack Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

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

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

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

Relegation Game Outcome

Germany won the consolation match, defeating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure Germany keep its spot for the following season in the top division. The Danish side dropped to Division I-A.