Finland stuns 2-time defending champ US 4-3 in OT in world junior quarterfinals

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Arttu Valola scored at 2:11 of overtime and Finland stunned the two-time defending champion United States 4-3 on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarterfinals.

Last year in the final in Ottawa, Ontario, the Americans beat the Finns 4-3 in overtime.

“Got to give credit to the U.S,” Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju said. “That’s a hell of a team, full of great individuals and a well-coached team. But I said we wanted that revenge from last year, and I think we kind of earned it tonight.”

In the semifinals Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, and Canada will play Czechia. Sweden beat Latvia 6-3, Canada had a five-goal first period in a 7-1 romp over Slovakia, and Czechia beat Switzerland 6-2.

Michigan State’s Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 left in regulation and Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a 55-second span in the third to give Finland a 2-1 lead. Tuuva tied it at 2 with 7:17 left, then set up Saarelainen's go-ahead goal with 6:22 remaining. Saarelainen also assisted on Tuuva's goal.

Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson had a goal and an assist for the United States after being struck in the back of the head by a shot against Switzerland and missing two games.

“I thought we made good plays for a lot of the game,” Hutson said. “But the little bounces that they got, a lot of their Grade-A chances came from our mistakes.”

BU teammate Cole Eiserman gave the United States a 2-1 lead on a power play with 9:45 left in the second period. He took a feed from Hutson and beat Petteri Rimpinen with a oner-time from the right side.

Hutson scored on a rush 35 seconds into the second. Heikki Ruohonen tied it at 4:46 on a quick shot from the left side.

Rimpinen stopped 28 shots. Kempf made 21 saves.

The Americans lost their last two games — falling 6-3 to Sweden on Wednesday night in the group finale — after winning their first three.

“It was an honor to coach this group,” said Bob Motzko, the University of Minnesota coach. “They played a great game tonight and came up just short. Give Finland credit. It’s an empty feeling right now, but our guys gave it all they had.”

In the late game at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the five-goal first.

Cole Reschny, Tij Iginla, Michael Misa, Sam O'Reilly and Brady Martin scored in the first period, and Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin connected in the second. Jack Ivankovic made 21 saves.

“Just goes to show how powerful we are,” Martin said. “Going up 5-0, it kind of kills their confidence.”

In the first quarterfinal in St. Paul, Anton Frondell scored twice for Sweden against Latvia. Defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to help the Swedes remain perfect in five games.

In Minneapolis, Tomas Galvas, Samuel Drancak, Adam Jiricek. Petr Sikora, Jiri Klima and Jakub Fibigr scored for the Czechs.

Germany won the relegation game in Minneapolis, beating Denmark 8-4. Manuel Schams scored twice to help Germany keep its spot next year in the main event. Denmark dropped to Division I-A.

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