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Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey last eight.

"Got to give full credit to the US," remarked Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "They are 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 think we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, the Finns will take on the Swedish team, while the Canadians will play Czechia. Sweden defeated Latvia 6-3, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia overcame Switzerland by a 6-2 score.

Dramatic Third Period and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in regulation and the University of Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net 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 7:17 to go, 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.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head against the Swiss and sitting out the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for a lot of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A chances came from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the United States a 2-1 edge on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right side.

C. Hutson tallied on a fast break 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

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

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – losing 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It was an privilege to coach this group," said the team's coach. "Our guys played a great game tonight and came up just short. All credit to Finland. It's an hollow emotion at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Other Quarter-Final Results

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," Martin said. "Going up five-nothing lead, it kind of saps their morale."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to aid the Swedes stay perfect in their five outings.

In Minneapolis T. Galvas, S. Drancak, Adam Jiricek, P. Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Relegation Game Outcome

Germany won the relegation game, beating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams had two goals to help his nation retain its place for the following season in the top division. Denmark dropped to the second tier.