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Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as the Finnish squad engineered a remarkable 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight.

"Got to give full credit to the US," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, loaded with great players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from last year, and I think we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden defeated Latvia six to three, Canada had a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second span in the third to hand Finland a two to one lead. Tuuva tied it at two-all with 7:17 left, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Performances and Reactions

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the head versus Switzerland and sitting out two games.

"In my opinion we made good plays for most of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their high-quality opportunities resulted from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 edge on a man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a one-timer from the right side.

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

Between the Pipes Summary

• Finland's goalie saved 28 shots.
• Kempf recorded 21 saves.

The Americans lost their final two games – falling six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and fell just a bit short. Give Finland. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

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 tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we are," Martin said. "Going up 5-0 lead, it really kills their morale."

In the opening playoff game, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Team Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to aid the Swedish side stay perfect in their five outings.

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

Relegation Game Result

Germany won the consolation match, beating Denmark eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to help Germany keep its place next year in the top division. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.