Scheduled Tribe. Paul, Min. – Arttu Valola scored at 2:11 of overtime and Finland defeated two-time defending champion United States 4-3 in the world junior hockey quarterfinals on Friday night.
In last year’s final in Ottawa, Ontario, the Americans defeated the Finns 4–3 in overtime.
“Got to give credit to the U.S.,” Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju said. “This is a great team, full of great individuals and a well-coached team. But I said we wanted to avenge last year, and I think we achieved it tonight.”
Finland will face Sweden and Canada will face Czechia in the semi-finals on Sunday. Sweden beat Latvia 6–3, Canada beat Slovakia 7–1 with five goals in the first round, and Czechia beat Switzerland 6–2.
Michigan State’s Lee Ryker equalized for the United States with 1:33 remaining in regulation and Notre Dame goaltender Nick Kempf allowed an extra attacker.
In the third, Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarilainen scored within a span of 55 seconds to give Finland a 2–1 lead. Tuuva tied it at 2 with 7:17 remaining, then set up the go-ahead goal for Saarilainen with 6:22 remaining. Saarilainen also assisted on Tuuva’s goal.
Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson had a goal and an assist for the United States after being hit in the back of the head on a shot against Switzerland and missing two games.
“I thought we played well for most of the game,” Hutson said. “But what little upside they got, most of their grade-A chances came from our mistakes.”
BU teammate Cole Eiserman scored on the power play with 9:45 left in the second period to give the United States a 2–1 lead. He took a feed from Hutson and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a volley from the right.
Hutson scored a quick goal 35 seconds into the second minute. Heikki Ruhonen equalized at 4:46 on a sharp shot from the left.
Rimpinen stopped 28 shots. Kempf made 21 saves.
The Americans lost their last two games after winning their first three games – losing 6-3 to Sweden in the group final on Wednesday night.
University of Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said, “It was an honor to coach this group.” “They played a very good game tonight and fell short. Give credit to Finland. It’s an empty feeling right now, but our guys gave it their all.”
In the late game at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, the Canadians outscored Slovakia by five goals in the first.
Cole Reshney, Taj Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O’Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Marton and Cole Beaudoin scored in the second. Jack Ivankovic was in goal for Canada.
In the first quarter-final in St. Paul, Anton Frondel scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. Defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to help Sweden remain perfect in five games.
In Minneapolis, Tomas Galvas, Samuel Dranczak, Adam Jiricek. Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and Jakub Fibiger scored for the Czechs.
Germany won the relegation game by defeating Denmark 8–4 in Minneapolis. Manuel Shams’ two goals helped Germany retain their place in the main event for next year. Denmark moved to Division IA.
