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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday evening in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"We must give credit to the US," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. The Swedes defeated the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and Czechia overcame Switzerland by a six to two margin.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 left in regulation and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second span in the third period to give Finland a 2-1 lead. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 to go, then set up his teammate's go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after being struck in the head versus the Swiss and missing the next two contests.

"In my opinion 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 chances came from our errors."

His BU teammate C. Eiserman gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right side.

Hutson scored on a fast break 35 seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen equalized at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Finland's goalie stopped 28 shots.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The Americans lost their final two games – falling 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale – after starting with their first three.

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

Additional Quarter-Final Results

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

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

"This demonstrates how powerful we are," B. Martin said. "Going up 5-0 lead, it really kills their confidence."

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedish side remain undefeated in their five outings.

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

Consolation Game Outcome

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating Denmark eight to four. Manuel Schams had two goals to help Germany retain its place for the following season in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.