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

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.”

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, Canada faced Slovakia.

In the first quarterfinal in St. Paul, Anton Frondell scored twice in Sweden's 6-3 victory over Latvia. Defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius had a goal and two assists to help the Swedes remain perfect in five games.

In Minneapolis, Czechia beat Switzerland 6-2. 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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United States forward Ryker Lee, center, celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinals game against Finland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Finland forwards Joona Saarelainen (12), left, and forward Leo Tuuva (23) celebrate after the overtime win against the United States of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinals game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Sweden defenseman Sascha Boumedienne, center, celebrates with forwards Victor Eklund, left, and Sweden Ivar Stenberg, right, after scoring a goal during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey championship quarterfinal game against Latvia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Finland forward Heikki Ruohonen (28) celebrates with defenseman Veeti Vaisanen (13) after scoring a goal during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinals game against the United States, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Finland forward Heikki Ruohonen celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinals game against the United States, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

United States forward Ryker Lee, front right, celebrates after scoring during the third period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinals game against Finland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Finland goalie Petteri Rimpinen (30), left, celebrates with teammates after an overtime win against the United States of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinals game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Things have quickly gone from bad to worse for the injury-plagued Denver Nuggets, who don’t have a true healthy center on their roster after losing three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and backup Jonas Valanciunas earlier this week.

Three other core players, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson and Christian Braun, were already sidelined with injuries, leaving point guard Jamal Murray as their last starter standing Friday in a 113-108 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Murray scored 34 points and had seven assists in 39 minutes.

“There is no complaining here, but sometimes it’s a mystery to the head coach what’s going to happen,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “I can’t tell you how we’re going to be. I’ve just got to try things through these next few weeks.”

Jokic went down with a left knee hyperextension at Miami on Monday, just four days after his historic 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist performance against Minnesota on Christmas. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

The 7-foot Serbian is averaging 29.6 points and leads the NBA with 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game. Jokic has 16 triple-doubles in 32 games.

Valanciunas strained his right calf in Toronto on Wednesday and also will not have his status updated until the end of January, forcing Denver to start 6-foot-9 rookie forward DaRon Holmes II at center. Holmes picked up two fouls in the first 81 seconds and finished with three points and six assists in Cleveland.

“Right now, we are who we are,” Adelman said. “I’m actually excited for it, seeing DaRon out there for his first real action.”

Power forward Gordon (right hamstring strain), small forward Johnson (right knee soreness) and shooting guard Braun (left ankle sprain) do not have projected return dates, leaving Denver without players averaging a combined 80 points.

Remarkably, the Nuggets have maintained the third-best record in the West at 23-11.

“No one knows what’s going to happen with Aaron and Christian,” Adelman said. “And obviously, Cam, Jonas and Nikola are going to be out a while.”

Murray has been steady, regardless of who he is on the court with, averaging career highs of 25.4 points and 6.9 assists. The 10th-year pro is seeking his initial All-Star appearance and is logging a team-best 35.3 minutes per game.

The bumps and bruises are piling up, though, as Murray is playing through a left ankle sprain. Keeping him in the lineup is an ongoing issue for Adelman, who is in his first full season as Denver’s coach.

“It’s my biggest worry because Jamal is a concern,” Adelman said. “It’s a daily conversation with trainers and our medical staff, but he feels responsibility for his teammates to be out there.

“There is open communication every day. We’ll do our best to take care of him.”

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Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman gestures in the second half of an NBA basketball against the Cleveland Cavaliers game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) reaches for a rebound with Denver Nuggets forward Daron Holmes II (14) and guard Jamal Murray (27) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Toronto Raptors forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) shoots over Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valančiūnas (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Wednesday Dec. 31, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) makes pass as Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) and guard Ochai Agbaji (30) defend during first half NBA action in Toronto on Wednesday Dec.31, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)