Finland Stuns Back-to-Back Reigning Champions US in U20 World Championship Quarterfinal Round.

Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday evening in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"Got to give credit to the US," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, full of exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I think we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will take on Sweden, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden defeated Latvia six to three, Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 romp over the Slovakian team, and Czechia overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 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 the third period and the University of Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second span in the third period to give Finland a two to one lead. He tied it at two-all with 7:17 to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Performances and Reactions

The Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson had a goal and a helper for the Americans after taking a shot in the head versus the Swiss and sitting out two games.

"I thought we made good plays for a lot of the game," Hutson commented. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their high-quality chances came from our mistakes."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

Hutson scored on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left side.

Goaltending Summary

• Rimpinen stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad lost their final two games – falling six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," said the American bench boss. "They played a great game tonight and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an empty feeling right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Results

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

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how powerful we are," B. Martin said. "Taking a 5-0 advantage, it really kills their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman L. Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to help the Swedes stay perfect in five games.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Consolation Game Result

Germany won the consolation match, beating Denmark eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to help Germany retain its place for the following season in the top division. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.