🔗 Share this article

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 two-time defending champion United States on Friday evening in the world junior hockey last eight.

"Got to give credit to the US," remarked Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, full of exceptional players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from last year, and I believe we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will take on the Swedish team, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. The Swedes defeated the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second span in the third period to give their team a two to one advantage. Tuuva leveled the score at two-all with 7:17 to go, then set up Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson had a goal and an assist for the United States after being struck in the back of the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

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

His university colleague C. Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 edge on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right side.

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

Between the Pipes Summary

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

The Americans lost their last two games – losing six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

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

Other Playoff Action

In the late game in the host city, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the following period. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," B. Martin remarked. "Going up five-nothing advantage, it kind of kills their morale."

In the opening playoff game, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to help the Swedes remain perfect in five games.

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

Relegation Match Result

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, beating Denmark eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to help his nation retain its spot next year in the top division. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.