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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the two-time defending champion United States on Friday evening in the world junior hockey last eight.

"We must give credit to the United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I said we wanted that revenge from last year, and I think we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden defeated the Latvian side 6-3, Team Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a six to two margin.

Dramatic Final Frame and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in the third period and the University of Notre Dame goalie 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 Finland a 2-1 lead. He tied it at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then set up Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Reactions

The BU defenseman C. Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the United States after being struck in the head against the Swiss and missing two games.

"In my opinion we executed well for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot 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 man advantage with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

Hutson tallied on a fast break 35 seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Summary

• Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder recorded twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad fell in their final two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday in the group finale – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It was an privilege to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "They played a great game today and came up just short. All credit to Finland. It's an hollow feeling right now, but our guys left everything on the ice."

Other Quarter-Final Action

In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

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

"This demonstrates how powerful we are," B. Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it kind of saps their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to help the Swedish side remain undefeated in their five outings.

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

Relegation Match Result

Germany won the consolation match, beating Denmark 8-4. M. Schams had two goals to ensure his nation keep its place next year in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.