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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning four to three win over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, full of great players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from last year, and I believe we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will take on the Swedish team, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden defeated Latvia six to three, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker knotted the score for the United States with 1:33 left in the third period and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second burst in the third to give their team a two to one advantage. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then set up Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Reactions

The BU defenseman C. Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head against Switzerland 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 high-quality opportunities came from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman gave the U.S. a two to one lead on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

Hutson tallied on a fast break 35 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 twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder recorded 21 saves.

The U.S. squad lost their last two games – falling six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "They played a terrific game today and fell just a bit short. All credit to Finland. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our players left everything on the ice."

Additional Playoff Action

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

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," Martin remarked. "Going up five-nothing lead, it kind of saps their morale."

In the opening playoff game, Anton Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedes remain undefeated in five games.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Relegation Game Outcome

Germany triumphed in the relegation game, defeating the Danes eight to four. Manuel Schams had two goals to help Germany retain its spot for the following season in the top division. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.