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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of extra time as Finland 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.

"Got to give full credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I said we wanted that revenge from last year, and I believe we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while Canada will meet Czechia. The Swedes defeated Latvia six to three, Team Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 romp over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped the Swiss by a six to two score.

Dramatic Final Frame and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second burst in the third period to hand Finland a 2-1 lead. He leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then set up his teammate's game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The BU defenseman Cole Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head versus Switzerland and sitting out two games.

"I thought we made good plays for most of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances resulted from our errors."

His BU teammate C. Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 edge on a man advantage with 9:45 left in the middle frame. He took a feed from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

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

Goaltending Summary

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

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an privilege to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game today and fell just a bit short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Results

In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadians overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it really saps their confidence."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to aid the Swedes stay undefeated in five games.

In Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and Jakub Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Consolation Game Outcome

Germany won the consolation match, beating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to help Germany retain its spot for the following season in the main event. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.