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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 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.

"We must give credit to the US," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, loaded with great players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that payback from last year, and I think we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will take on the Swedish team, while Canada will meet Czechia. Sweden beat Latvia 6-3, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second span in the third period to give Finland a 2-1 lead. Tuuva leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the head against Switzerland and sitting out the next two contests.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," the defenseman said. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their high-quality chances came from our mistakes."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman handed the United States a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right side.

Hutson tallied on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Finland's goalie saved 28 shots.
• Kempf recorded twenty-one stops.

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

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," stated the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an hollow emotion at the moment, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

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

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," Martin said. "Going up 5-0 advantage, it really kills their confidence."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to help the Swedish side remain undefeated in their five outings.

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

Relegation Match Result

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, defeating the Danes 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its place next year in the main event. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.