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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday evening in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"Got to give full credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, full of great individuals and a superbly organized team. But I said we wanted that revenge from the previous final, and I think we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semi-finals Sunday, Finland will take on the Swedish team, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden defeated Latvia 6-3, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped the Swiss by a 6-2 margin.

Thrilling Third Period and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second burst in the third period to give Finland a two to one advantage. Tuuva leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Reactions

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the Americans after being struck in the head against the Swiss and sitting out 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 Grade-A chances resulted from our mistakes."

His BU teammate C. Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 edge on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

C. Hutson tallied on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• The American netminder recorded twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to lead this group," stated the team's coach. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and fell just a bit short. Give Finland. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Quarter-Final Action

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

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

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

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. 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, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Consolation Game Outcome

The German team triumphed in the relegation game, defeating the Danes 8-4. M. Schams had two goals to ensure Germany keep its spot next year in the main event. The Danish side dropped to Division I-A.