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Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as the Finnish squad engineered a remarkable four to three victory over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the world junior hockey last eight.

"Got to give full credit to the US," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I said we wanted that payback from last year, and I think we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat Latvia six to three, Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 romp over Slovakia, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a six to two score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in regulation and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen scored in a 55-second burst in the third period to give their team a 2-1 advantage. He leveled the score at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The Boston University defenseman C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after being struck in the head versus Switzerland and missing two games.

"I thought we executed well for a lot of the game," Hutson said. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 lead on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right circle.

C. Hutson scored on a fast break 35 seconds into the second. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Finland's goalie stopped 28 shots.
• Kempf made 21 saves.

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – losing 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

"It was an honor to lead this group," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a great game tonight and came up just short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our guys gave it all they had."

Other Quarter-Final Action

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how dominant we can be," B. Martin said. "Going up five-nothing advantage, it really saps their morale."

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

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

Consolation Game Outcome

Germany won the relegation game, defeating the Danes 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure his nation retain its spot for the following season in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.