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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, loaded with exceptional individuals and a well coached 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 Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side six to three, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen scored in a 55-second span in the third to give their team a two to one lead. Tuuva tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then set up Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The BU defenseman Cole Hutson had a goal and a helper for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head against Switzerland and sitting out the next two contests.

"I thought we executed well for a lot of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their Grade-A opportunities resulted from our errors."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the United States a two to one lead on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and fooled Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

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

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad lost their last two games – falling 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

"It was an honor to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a great game today and came up just short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Playoff Results

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

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how dominant we can be," B. Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it kind of saps their morale."

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman L. Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to aid the Swedes stay undefeated in five games.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Relegation Game Result

The German team won the consolation match, beating the Danes eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its place next year in the top division. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.