Finland Shocks Back-to-Back Reigning Title Holders US in World Junior Quarter-Finals.

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 world junior hockey last eight.

"Got to give credit to the United States," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, full of great individuals and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will take on Sweden, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one romp over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Dramatic Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the University of Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second burst in the third to give Finland a 2-1 advantage. He tied it at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"In my opinion we made good plays for most of the game," Hutson commented. "But the small details that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one lead on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He took a feed from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right circle.

C. Hutson tallied on a fast break 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• The American netminder made twenty-one stops.

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

"It was an privilege to lead this group," stated the team's coach. "They played a great game today and fell just a bit short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our players left everything on the ice."

Other Playoff Results

In the late game in Minneapolis, the Canadians overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the following period. J. Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," Martin remarked. "Going up 5-0 advantage, it really saps their morale."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman L. Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to help the Swedes stay undefeated in five games.

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

Consolation Game Result

The German team won the relegation game, defeating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to help his nation keep its place for the following season in the main event. The Danish side dropped to the second tier.