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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable 4-3 win over the two-time defending champion United States on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"Got to give credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, full of exceptional players and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we were seeking that payback from last year, and I believe we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will take on Sweden, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side 6-3, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 rout over Slovakia, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second burst in the third to hand Finland a 2-1 lead. Tuuva tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then set up Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with 6:22 on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after being struck in the back of the head versus Switzerland and sitting out the next two contests.

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

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one edge on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He took a feed from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer 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 snap shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Rimpinen stopped 28 shots.
• Kempf recorded 21 saves.

The Americans lost their final two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to coach this team," said the team's coach. "They played a terrific game today and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our guys gave it all they had."

Additional Playoff Results

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

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

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it kind of kills their morale."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to help the Swedish side remain perfect in their five outings.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, Adam Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Consolation Match Result

Germany triumphed in the relegation game, defeating the Danes 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to help Germany keep its spot for the following season in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.