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Arttu Välilä netted the winner at two minutes and eleven seconds of overtime as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the two-time defending champion American team on Friday night in the world junior hockey last eight.

"Got to give credit to the United States," remarked Finland's leader Aron Kiviharju. "That's a hell of a team, loaded with exceptional individuals and a well coached team. But I said we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I believe we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals Sunday, Finland will take on the Swedish team, while Canada will play Czechia. Sweden defeated the Latvian side six to three, Canada had a five-goal first period in a seven to one rout over the Slovakian team, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Dramatic Final Frame and Overtime

The Michigan State Spartan L. Ryker tied it for the U.S. team with 1:33 left in regulation and the Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen found the net in a fifty-five-second burst in the third to hand their team a two to one lead. Tuuva tied it at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds left, then set up his teammate's game-leading goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. Saarelainen also assisted on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Reactions

The BU blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head against the Swiss and missing two games.

"I thought we executed well for most of the game," Hutson said. "But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their high-quality opportunities resulted from our mistakes."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman gave the U.S. a 2-1 edge on a man advantage with 9:45 remaining in the second period. He took a feed from his teammate and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right circle.

C. Hutson scored on a fast break 35 seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen tied it at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Finland's goalie saved 28 shots.
• Kempf made twenty-one stops.

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

"It was an honor to lead this group," said the team's coach. "Our guys played a terrific game tonight and came up just short. Give the Finns. It's an hollow feeling at the moment, but our players left everything on the ice."

Additional Playoff Action

In the late game in the host city, the Canadian team overwhelmed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, M. Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin tallied in the first period, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

"This demonstrates how dominant we can be," Martin remarked. "Going up five-nothing advantage, it really saps their confidence."

In the opening playoff game, Anton 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 stay perfect in their five outings.

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

Relegation Game Outcome

Germany triumphed in the consolation match, defeating the Danes 8-4. M. Schams had two goals to ensure Germany retain its spot for the following season in the top division. The Danish side dropped to the second tier.