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Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of overtime as the Finnish squad 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," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, full of exceptional players and a superbly organized team. But I said we were seeking that revenge from the previous final, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. The Swedes beat the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over Slovakia, and Czechia topped the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the United States with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the University of Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second span in the third to hand their team a 2-1 advantage. Tuuva leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then set up his teammate's game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Key Contributions and Reactions

The Boston University defenseman C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States 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, many of their Grade-A opportunities came from our mistakes."

His university colleague Cole Eiserman gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He accepted a pass from Hutson and fooled Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right side.

Hutson scored on a rush 35 seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Summary

• Finland's goalie stopped 28 shots.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad fell in their last two games – falling six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after starting with their first three.

"It was an privilege to coach this group," said the American bench boss. "They played a great game tonight and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our players left everything on the ice."

Other Quarter-Final Action

In the second match in the host city, the Canadians overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"Just goes to show how powerful we are," Martin said. "Going up five-nothing advantage, it really saps their confidence."

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

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis T. Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Relegation Game Outcome

Germany won the consolation match, beating Denmark eight to four. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure his nation keep its spot for the following season in the top division. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.