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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of overtime as the Finnish squad engineered a remarkable four to three win over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the US," remarked Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, the Finns will take on the Swedish team, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. The Swedes beat the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one romp over Slovakia, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Third Period and Extra Session

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

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second burst in the third period to hand Finland a two to one advantage. Tuuva tied it at two-all with 7:17 to go, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

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

"In my opinion we made good plays for most of the game," Hutson commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A chances came from our mistakes."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the United States a two to one edge on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He took a feed from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right side.

C. Hutson scored on a fast break 35 seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Rimpinen stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• Kempf made 21 saves.

The Americans lost their last two games – losing six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their initial three matches.

"It has been an honor to coach this group," said the team's coach. "Our guys played a terrific game today and fell just a bit short. Give the Finns. It's an empty feeling at the moment, but our guys gave it all they had."

Additional Playoff Results

In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the first period, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," B. Martin said. "Taking a 5-0 lead, it really saps their morale."

In the opening playoff game, Anton Frondell scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. The defender L. Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to aid the Swedish side remain undefeated in their five outings.

In Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Consolation Game Result

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, beating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to help Germany retain its spot next year in the top division. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.