Reigning champions Finland advanced into the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships with a last-gasp winner against the USA, but Olympic gold medallists Canada suffered a shock loss to Slovakia.
Jesse Joensuu netted a double for Finland's 3-2 quarter-final victory over the USA on Thursday, while goalkeeper Petri Vehanen produced 24 saves.
"We knew that we had to play at our best to beat the US team," said Finland coach Jukka Jalonen.
"I'm very happy for the boys. Everybody gave a great effort. It was a one-goal game."
Joensuu opened the scoring for the Finns, spurred on by a capacity 13,000-strong home crowd, 13:27 into the second period.
Anaheim Ducks center Kyle Palmieri levelled just 11sec later with club team-mate Bobby Ryan putting the USA into the lead after he sent home a rebound of Justin Faulk's shot from the blue line 1:39 into the third period.
Minnesota Wild center Miko Koivu equalised for the Finns at 53:02, but it was Joensuu hailed as the hero, scoring the home country's winning goal, and his second of the match, with just nine seconds to go.
In the early Helsinki quarter-final, Slovakia claimed a 4-3 victory over reigning Olympic champions Canada.
The Slovaks, world champions in 2002, got off to a lively start with goals from Florida Panthers forward Tomas Kopecky and 37-year-old veteran Miroslav Satan.
But the Canadians fought back with three unanswered goals through Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane, Carolina Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner and Vancouver Canucks left winger Alexandre Burrows.
Slovakia's Milan Bartovic levelled the scores at 53:25, and San Jose Sharks center Michal Handzus netted a powerplay winner with just 2:28 remaining in the third period for an upset.
"Canada were the favourites in this game but we also prepared well as my players didn't want to go home yet. And the win was the best possible gift for my birthday," said Slovakia coach Vladimir Vujtek, who was 65 on Thursday.
In Stockholm, Russia had to battle through two tough periods with an obstinate Norway side before running out 5-2 winners.
Washington Capitals skipper Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Popov both scored early for Russia, to give their team a 2-1 lead before the first interval as Norwary replied through their right winger Per-Age Skroder.
The championship's leading scorer Patrick Thoresen carried on his form as he picked up his 18th point (7 goals +11 assists) scoring on powerplay just 28sec into the second to pull the scores level at 2-2.
But in the third Norway failed to keep up the pace and Montreal Canadiens' rear guard Alexei Yemelin put Russia into the lead again.
His teammate Nikolai Zherdev and defender Ilya Nikulin added one apiece late on to secure Russia's ninth win over Norway at the worlds in as many matches.
"It was the first play-off match for this team and the guys were a bit nervous from the start," Russian coach Zinetulla Bilyaletdinov said.
"Luckily, later in the match they managed to calm down and began playing their normal hockey. Ovechkin and (Alexander) Syomin played well after a long flight from Washington, both earning points. I'd say they seriously strengthened the team."
In Saturday's semi-finals Finland will face Russia, while Slovakia will take on the winner of the last quarter-final between co-hosts Sweden and Czech Republic.
Source: AFP Global Edition
