🔗 Share this article

Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional players and a well coached team. But I said we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semi-finals Sunday, the Finns will face the Swedish team, while Canada will meet Czechia. Sweden defeated Latvia 6-3, Team Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia overcame Switzerland by a six to two margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan Lee 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 pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second span in the third 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 his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Performances and Reactions

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after being struck in the head against the Swiss and sitting out two games.

"In my opinion we made good plays for a lot of the game," Hutson commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their high-quality opportunities came from our errors."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining 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 rush 35 seconds into the second. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder recorded 21 saves.

The Americans fell in their last two games – losing 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday in the final preliminary game – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an privilege to coach this group," said the American bench boss. "They played a terrific game today and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our guys gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Action

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

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," B. Martin said. "Going up 5-0 lead, it kind of kills their morale."

In the first quarter-final, A. Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman L. Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to help the Swedes remain undefeated in their five outings.

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

Consolation Game Result

Germany won the relegation game, defeating Denmark eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to help his nation retain its place next year in the top division. Denmark dropped to the second tier.