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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the United States," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with great players and a superbly organized team. But I said we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I think we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semi-finals Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden beat the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one romp over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame Switzerland by a six to two margin.

Dramatic Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 left in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second burst in the third period to give Finland a two to one lead. He tied it at 2 with 7:17 left, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head versus Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"In my opinion we made good plays for a lot of the game," the defenseman said. "But the small details that they got, many of their Grade-A opportunities came from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one lead on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

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

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen saved twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf recorded 21 saves.

The Americans lost their last two games – falling 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their initial three matches.

"It was an honor to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game today and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an empty feeling right now, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Playoff Action

In the second match in the host city, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it kind of saps their morale."

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

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

Consolation Match Outcome

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, beating Denmark eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its spot next year in the top division. Denmark was relegated to Division I-A.