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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday evening in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with great players 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 meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada had a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Dramatic Final Frame and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 remaining in regulation and the University of Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen scored in a 55-second burst in the third period to give Finland a two to one advantage. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then set up Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Reactions

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson had a goal and a helper for the Americans after taking a shot in the head versus Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," the defenseman said. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances came from our errors."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the United States a 2-1 lead on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right side.

C. Hutson tallied on a rush 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

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

The Americans fell in their last two games – losing 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday in the final preliminary game – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an privilege to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "They played a great game tonight and fell just a bit short. All credit to Finland. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

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

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the first period, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how dominant we are," Martin remarked. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it kind of saps their morale."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to help the Swedes remain undefeated in their five outings.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek, P. Sikora, Jiri Klima and Jakub Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Consolation Match Result

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure his nation retain its place for the following season in the top division. Denmark dropped to the second tier.