🔗 Share this article

Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three victory over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, loaded with great individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that payback from last year, and I believe we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semi-finals Sunday, Finland will take on the Swedish team, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden defeated Latvia six to three, Team Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 romp over Slovakia, and the Czechs topped the Swiss by a six to two margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame netminder Nick 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 their team a 2-1 lead. He tied it at 2 with 7:17 left, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and an assist for the Americans after being struck in the head versus Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

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

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman gave the United States a two to one lead on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

C. Hutson tallied on a rush 35 seconds into the second. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left side.

Goaltending Stats

• Rimpinen stopped 28 shots.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The Americans fell in their final two games – falling six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to lead this team," stated the American bench boss. "Our guys played a great game tonight and fell just a bit short. All credit to Finland. It's an hollow emotion at the moment, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

In the late game 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 scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how powerful we can be," Martin said. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it really kills their morale."

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedish side remain perfect in five games.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr provided the goals for the Czech team.

Consolation Match Outcome

The German team won the relegation game, beating the Danes 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to help Germany keep its place next year in the main event. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.