Finland Upsets Two-Time Reigning Title Holders the United States in U20 World Championship Quarter-Finals.

Finland's 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 evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give full credit to the United States," stated Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, full of exceptional individuals and a superbly organized team. But I mentioned we were seeking that payback from the previous final, and I think we kind of earned it this evening."

In the semi-finals on Sunday, the Finns will face Sweden, while Canada will meet the Czech Republic. The Swedes defeated Latvia 6-3, Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over the Slovakian team, and the Czechs overcame Switzerland by a 6-2 margin.

Dramatic 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 Notre Dame goalie N. Kempf off for an extra attacker.

L. Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second burst in the third to hand their team a two to one advantage. Tuuva tied it at two-all with seven minutes and seventeen seconds to go, then set up his teammate's go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Notable Performances and Post-Game Comments

The Boston University blueliner C. Hutson recorded a goal and an assist for the United States after taking a shot in the back of the head against Switzerland and missing the next two contests.

"In my opinion we executed well for most of the game," the defenseman commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their high-quality chances came from our mistakes."

His university colleague C. Eiserman handed the U.S. a 2-1 lead on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining in the middle frame. He accepted a pass from Hutson and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a quick shot from the right circle.

C. Hutson scored on a rush thirty-five seconds into the second period. Heikki Ruohonen equalized at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a quick shot from the left wing.

Between the Pipes Stats

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

The Americans fell in their final two games – losing 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the group finale – after winning their initial three matches.

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

Other Quarter-Final Action

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

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, M. Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the opening twenty minutes, and P. Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the following period. Jack Ivankovic turned aside twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how powerful we can be," Martin remarked. "Taking a five-nothing advantage, it kind of saps their morale."

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

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

Relegation Game Outcome

The German team won the relegation game, beating the Danes eight to four. Manuel Schams had two goals to ensure his nation retain its place next year in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.