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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as the Finnish squad engineered a remarkable 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday night in the world junior hockey last eight.

"Got to give credit to the United States," stated Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with great individuals and a well coached team. But I said we wanted that revenge from the previous final, and I believe we kind of earned it tonight."

In the semifinal matches on Sunday, Finland will face the Swedish team, while Canada will meet Czechia. Sweden defeated the Latvian side 6-3, Canada produced a first-period five-goal outburst in a 7-1 romp over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped the Swiss by a six to two margin.

Dramatic Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the University of Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf pulled for an additional skater.

Lee Tuuva and J. Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second burst in the third period to hand their team a two to one lead. He leveled the score at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then set up his teammate's game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the United States after taking a shot in the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the small details that they got, many of their Grade-A chances came from our mistakes."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one edge on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and fooled Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

Hutson scored on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

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

The Americans lost their last two games – falling six to three to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after winning their initial three matches.

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

Other Playoff Results

In the late game in Minneapolis, the Canadians overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the first period, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how powerful we are," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it kind of saps their morale."

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

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, P. Sikora, Jiri Klima and Jakub Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Consolation Game Outcome

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, beating the Danes 8-4. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure his nation keep its spot for the following season in the main event. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.