🔗 Share this article Finland Shocks Two-Time Reigning Title Holders the United States in U20 World Championship Quarterfinal Round. Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of extra time as Finland engineered a remarkable four to three win over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the IIHF World Junior Championship quarter-finals. "Got to give credit to the US," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "They are a hell of a team, loaded with great players and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we wanted that revenge from the previous final, and I think we truly deserved it this evening." In the semifinal matches Sunday, Finland will take on Sweden, while Canada will play the Czech Republic. The Swedes defeated the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada had a five-goal first period in a seven to one romp over the Slovakian team, and Czechia overcame the Swiss by a 6-2 margin. Thrilling Third Period and Extra Session The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker knotted the score for the United States with 1:33 left in regulation and the Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker. L. Tuuva and J. Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second burst in the third period to give Finland a two to one advantage. 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 on the clock. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal. Key Contributions and Post-Game Comments The Boston University defenseman C. Hutson had a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head against the Swiss and sitting out the next two contests. "I thought we executed well for most of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances came from our errors." His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the United States a two to one lead on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He accepted a pass from his teammate and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a one-timer from the right side. Hutson tallied on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left wing. Goaltending Summary Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts. The American netminder recorded 21 saves. The Americans fell in their final two games – losing 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the final preliminary game – after winning their first three. "It has been an honor to coach this team," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a great game today and came up just short. All credit to the Finns. It's an hollow emotion at the moment, but our guys gave it all they had." Other Quarter-Final Results In the late game in the host city, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion. Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin scored in the opening twenty minutes, and Porter Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic turned aside 21 saves. "This demonstrates how dominant we can be," B. Martin remarked. "Going up 5-0 advantage, it really saps their confidence." In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. The defender Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two helpers to aid the Swedish side remain undefeated in five games. Meanwhile, in Minneapolis T. Galvas, Samuel Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and Jakub Fibigr scored for the Czech team. Consolation Game Result Germany won the relegation game, beating Denmark 8-4. M. Schams scored twice to ensure Germany keep its spot for the following season in the top division. The Danish side was relegated to the second tier.