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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 win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey 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 well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, Finland will take on Sweden, while the Canadians will play Czechia. Sweden beat Latvia 6-3, Team Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Thrilling Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the University of Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second burst in the third period to give their team a two to one advantage. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then set up his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The BU blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and an assist for the United States after taking a shot in the head versus the Swiss and missing two games.

"In my opinion we executed well for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A opportunities resulted from our mistakes."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman gave the United States a two to one lead on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

Hutson tallied on a fast break 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Rimpinen stopped 28 shots.
• The American netminder recorded twenty-one stops.

The Americans lost their last two games – falling six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to lead this group," said the team's coach. "They played a great game tonight and fell just a bit short. All credit to the Finns. It's an empty emotion at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Other Playoff Action

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

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," Martin remarked. "Going up 5-0 advantage, it really kills 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 Swedish side remain perfect in five games.

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

Relegation Game Outcome

Germany won the consolation match, defeating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to help his nation keep its place next year in the top division. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.