🔗 Share this article

Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of extra time as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday evening in the world junior hockey last eight.

"We must give full credit to the United States," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, full of great players and a well coached team. But I said we wanted that revenge from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will take on Sweden, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat Latvia 6-3, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one romp over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a six to two score.

Dramatic Third Period and Overtime

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second burst in the third to hand Finland a 2-1 lead. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then assisted on his teammate's game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson had a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head versus Switzerland and missing two games.

"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 high-quality chances resulted from our mistakes."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman gave the United States a two to one lead on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

C. Hutson scored on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left side.

Goaltending Stats

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The Americans lost their last two games – falling six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their initial three matches.

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

Additional Playoff Action

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how powerful we are," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it kind of saps their confidence."

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

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

Consolation Game Result

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, beating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to help his nation keep its place next year in the top division. Denmark dropped to the second tier.