Finland Upsets Back-to-Back Reigning Title Holders the United States in U20 World Championship Quarter-Finals.

Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three win over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the US," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, full of exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I said we were seeking that payback from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden defeated the Latvian side six to three, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 left in regulation and the University of Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a 55-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 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Contributions and Reactions

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the back of the head against the Swiss and sitting out two games.

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

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He took a feed from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

Hutson scored on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf recorded 21 saves.

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – falling six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday in the final preliminary game – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," stated the team's coach. "Our guys played a great game tonight and came up just short. Give Finland. It's an empty feeling right now, but our guys gave it all they had."

Additional Playoff Results

In the late game in the host city, the Canadian team routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how dominant we are," Martin remarked. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it really saps their morale."

In the opening playoff game, Anton Frondell scored twice for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to help the Swedes stay perfect in their five outings.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, Adam Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Relegation Match Outcome

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to help his nation retain its place next year in the main event. The Danish side was relegated to Division I-A.