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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday night in the world junior hockey last eight.

"We must give credit to the US," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with great individuals and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while the Canadians will play Czechia. The Swedes beat Latvia 6-3, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a six to two margin.

Thrilling Third Period and Extra Session

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with 1:33 left in the third period and the University of 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 to give Finland a two to one advantage. Tuuva tied it at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, 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.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head against Switzerland 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 high-quality chances came from our errors."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the U.S. a 2-1 lead on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

Hutson tallied on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left side.

Goaltending Summary

• Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf recorded 21 saves.

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

"It has been an privilege to coach this group," said the American bench boss. "They played a terrific game tonight and fell just a bit short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Action

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how dominant we are," B. Martin remarked. "Going up five-nothing lead, 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 had a goal and two assists to aid the Swedes stay perfect in their five outings.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Relegation Match Result

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, defeating the Danes eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its spot for the following season in the top division. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.