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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the US," remarked Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of great players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from the previous final, and I believe we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while the Canadians will play Czechia. Sweden 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 Switzerland by a six to two score.

Dramatic Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second span in the third period to give their team a two to one advantage. He leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then assisted on his teammate's game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson had a goal and an assist for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head against the Swiss and missing the next two contests.

"In my opinion we executed well for most of the game," Hutson commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their high-quality opportunities resulted from our errors."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 lead on a man advantage with 9:45 left 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 tallied on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Finland's goalie saved twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf recorded twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad lost their final two games – losing 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the group finale – after winning their initial three matches.

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," said the team's coach. "Our guys played a great game today and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadian team routed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the first period, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," Martin said. "Going up 5-0 lead, it really saps their confidence."

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

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek, P. Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Relegation Game Outcome

Germany won the consolation match, beating the Danes 8-4. M. Schams had two goals to ensure Germany retain its spot next year in the top division. The Danish side dropped to Division I-A.