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Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as the Finnish squad pulled off a stunning four to three victory over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"Got to give credit to the United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a fantastic squad, full of exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from last year, and I believe we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semi-finals Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. Sweden beat Latvia six to three, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Third Period and Overtime

Michigan State’s L. Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 remaining in the third period and the Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second burst in the third period to hand Finland a 2-1 advantage. Tuuva tied it at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then set up his teammate's game-leading goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the Americans after taking a shot in the head versus the Swiss and sitting out two games.

"I thought we made good plays for a lot of the game," the defenseman 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 man advantage with 9:45 left in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from Hutson and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right circle.

Hutson tallied on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left side.

Goaltending Stats

• Rimpinen stopped 28 shots.
• The American netminder made 21 saves.

The Americans lost their last two games – losing 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday in the final preliminary game – after starting with their initial three matches.

"It has been an privilege to lead this team," stated the team's coach. "Our guys played a terrific game today and came up just short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Additional Quarter-Final Action

In the late game in Minneapolis, the Canadians overwhelmed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the following period. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how dominant we are," B. Martin said. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it really kills their morale."

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

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr scored for the Czech team.

Consolation Game Outcome

The German team triumphed in the consolation match, defeating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams scored twice to ensure his nation keep its place next year in the top division. Denmark dropped to the second tier.