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Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable 4-3 victory over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday evening in the world junior hockey last eight.

"We must give credit to the United States," remarked Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional players and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I think we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. The Swedes beat Latvia six to three, Team Canada had a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over Slovakia, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a 6-2 score.

Thrilling Final Frame and Overtime

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team 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 55-second span in the third period to hand their team a 2-1 advantage. Tuuva leveled the score at 2 with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then set up his teammate's go-ahead goal with 6:22 on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.

Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson had a goal and an assist for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head versus the Swiss and missing the next two contests.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A chances resulted from our errors."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the United States a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right side.

Hutson scored on a fast break thirty-five seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left side.

Between the Pipes Stats

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

The Americans fell in their last two games – falling six to three to Sweden on Wednesday in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an privilege to coach this team," stated the American bench boss. "They played a great 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 Quarter-Final Action

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

C. Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. J. Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves.

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

In the opening playoff game, A. Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two assists to help the Swedish side stay undefeated in five games.

In Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and J. Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Relegation Match Outcome

Germany won the relegation game, beating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams had two goals to help his nation keep its place next year in the main event. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.