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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at two minutes and eleven seconds 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 night in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the United States," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of great individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. The Swedes defeated the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one romp over Slovakia, and Czechia overcame Switzerland by a six to two score.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker knotted the score for the United States with 1:33 remaining in regulation and the University of Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second span in the third period to hand Finland a two to one lead. He tied it at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then set up his teammate's go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Key Performances and Post-Game Comments

The BU defenseman C. Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head against the Swiss and missing the next two contests.

"In my opinion we made good plays for most of the game," Hutson commented. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their high-quality opportunities came from our mistakes."

His BU teammate C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one edge on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He took a feed from Hutson and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right side.

Hutson tallied on a rush 35 seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Finland's goalie saved 28 shots.
• The American netminder made 21 saves.

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

"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 players gave it all they had."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

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

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the first period, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the following period. Jack Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," Martin remarked. "Going up five-nothing lead, it kind of saps their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to help the Swedes stay perfect in five games.

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

Consolation Game Result

The German team won the consolation match, defeating the Danes 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure Germany retain its place for the following season in the top division. Denmark dropped to the second tier.