🔗 Share this article The Finnish Team Stuns Back-to-Back Reigning Champions US in World Junior Quarterfinal Round. Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three victory over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship last eight. "Got to give full credit to the US," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional players and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from the previous final, and I believe we kind of earned it tonight." In the semi-finals Sunday, the Finns will face the Swedish team, while the Canadians will meet the Czech Republic. Sweden defeated the Latvian side 6-3, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 romp over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 margin. Thrilling Third Period and Overtime The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf pulled for an additional skater. L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second burst in the third period to hand their team a 2-1 lead. He leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then assisted on Saarelainen’s game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal. Key Contributions and Reactions The Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson had a goal and a helper for the Americans after being struck in the head versus the Swiss and missing the next two contests. "In my opinion we made good plays for most of the game," the defenseman said. "But the small details that they got, many of their high-quality chances came from our mistakes." His BU teammate C. Eiserman handed the United States a two to one edge on a power play with 9:45 remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle. C. Hutson scored on a fast break 35 seconds into the second. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a snap shot from the left side. Goaltending Summary Rimpinen stopped twenty-eight attempts. Kempf made 21 saves. The Americans lost their final two games – losing 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the group finale – after winning their first three. "It was an privilege to lead this group," stated the team's coach. "Our guys played a terrific game today and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an empty feeling at the moment, but our players left everything on the ice." Other Playoff Results In the second match in Minneapolis, the Canadian team routed Slovakia with the five-goal first. Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin scored in the following period. Jack Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves. "Just goes to show how dominant we are," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it kind of saps their morale." In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedes remain undefeated in five games. In Minneapolis T. Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czechs. Consolation Game Outcome The German team won the relegation game, defeating the Danes 8-4. M. Schams scored twice to ensure his nation retain its spot for the following season in the main event. Denmark was relegated to Division I-A.