The Finnish Team Shocks Two-Time Defending Title Holders the United States in World Junior Quarter-Finals.

Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of overtime as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"Got to give credit to the United States," remarked Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, full of great players and a well coached team. But I said we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I think we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. Sweden beat Latvia six to three, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one romp over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs topped the Swiss by a 6-2 margin.

Dramatic Third Period and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie 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 their team a 2-1 lead. Tuuva tied it at 2 with 7:17 left, then assisted on his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and an assist for the Americans after being struck in the head against the Swiss and sitting out two games.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the small details that they got, many of their high-quality opportunities came from our mistakes."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the U.S. a two to one lead on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the middle frame. He took a feed from his teammate and fooled Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right side.

Hutson tallied on a rush 35 seconds into the second. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Finland's goalie stopped 28 shots.
• Kempf recorded twenty-one stops.

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

"It was an honor to lead this group," stated the team's coach. "Our guys played a great game today and fell just a bit short. All credit to Finland. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

In the second match in the host city, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the first period, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," Martin remarked. "Going up 5-0 lead, it kind of kills their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to aid the Swedish side stay perfect in their five outings.

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

Consolation Game Result

The German team triumphed in the relegation game, beating the Danes 8-4. M. Schams had two goals to ensure Germany keep its place for the following season in the top division. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.