ST. PAUL, Minn.— 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 2-2 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.”
