The Finnish Team Upsets Back-to-Back Reigning Champions the United States in World Junior Quarter-Finals.

Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of overtime as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the two-time defending champion United States on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the US," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I said we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I think we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, Finland will take on the Swedish team, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. The Swedes defeated the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 romp over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a six to two score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation and the Notre Dame netminder N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-second span in the third to hand Finland a two to one advantage. Tuuva leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then set up Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The BU blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the head versus Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

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

His BU teammate C. Eiserman gave the United States a two to one edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from Hutson and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right side.

Hutson tallied on a rush 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen saved twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder made twenty-one stops.

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

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," said the team's coach. "Our guys played a great game tonight and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our players left everything on the ice."

Other Playoff Results

In the late game in Minneapolis, the Canadian team routed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it really kills their confidence."

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman L. Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to aid the Swedes stay perfect in their five outings.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Relegation Match Result

Germany triumphed in the relegation game, defeating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany retain its spot for the following season in the main event. The Danish side was relegated to Division I-A.