🔗 Share this article

Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning four to three win over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the United States," remarked Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of great individuals and a superbly organized team. But I said we wanted that payback from the previous final, and I believe we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, the Finns will face the Swedish team, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden beat Latvia six to three, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame Switzerland by a six to two score.

Dramatic Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second burst in the third period to give Finland a 2-1 advantage. Tuuva tied it at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then assisted on his teammate's game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Reactions

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the United States after being struck in the back of the head versus Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for most of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their high-quality opportunities resulted from our errors."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the United States a two to one lead on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He took a feed from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right circle.

C. Hutson tallied on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Rimpinen saved twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder made twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad lost their final two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday 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 came up just short. All credit to Finland. It's an empty emotion at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Playoff Action

In the late game in Minneapolis, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how dominant we are," B. Martin said. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it really kills 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 helpers to aid the Swedes stay perfect in their five outings.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr provided the goals for the Czech team.

Consolation Game Result

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating Denmark eight to four. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure his nation keep its place for the following season in the main event. The Danish side was relegated to Division I-A.