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Finland's Arttu Välilä scored the decisive goal at 2:11 of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over the reigning two-time champion American team on Friday night in the world junior hockey last eight.

"We must give credit to the United States," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional players and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from the previous final, and I believe we truly deserved it this evening."

In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, while the Canadians will play the Czech Republic. Sweden beat the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada had a first-period five-goal outburst in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs topped Switzerland by a six to two score.

Thrilling Third Period and Extra Session

The Michigan State Spartan Lee Ryker knotted the score for the United States with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in regulation 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 to give Finland a 2-1 lead. Tuuva tied it at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then set up Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with 6:22 remaining. J. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Notable Performances and Post-Game Comments

The BU blueliner C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head versus Switzerland and missing two games.

"I thought we made good plays for most of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances resulted from our errors."

His university colleague C. Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 lead on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from Hutson and fooled the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

Hutson scored on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second period. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

• Rimpinen saved 28 shots.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

The U.S. squad lost their final two games – falling 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an honor to lead this team," stated the American bench boss. "They played a terrific game today and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an empty emotion right now, but our players gave it all they had."

Other Playoff Action

In the late game in the host city, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

C. Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"Just goes to show how powerful we are," B. Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing lead, it kind of saps their morale."

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

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

Consolation Match Outcome

The German team won the consolation match, defeating Denmark eight to four. Manuel Schams scored twice to ensure Germany keep its place next year in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.