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BUFFALO N.Y- Team Russia won the bid to advance to the Semi-finals against Sweden when they downed Finland 4-3 in overtime.

Russia scored the much needed two goals to come back in the third period against Finland, who lost only to the United States in the preliminary rounds. Finland held second place in Group A, one point behind the undefeated U.S with 11 points. Russia placed third in Group B where they held 6 points.

In the Quarterfinal match, goaltender Dmitri Shikin saved 34 of 37 shots on goal and helped his team kill five of six penalties assessed.

Russia was the first to score before Finland took command and scored three unanswered goals. The Finnish lead would hold firm until Teemu Pulkkinen received a slashing call in the final six minutes of the third period. Russian forward Yevgeni Kuznetzov banked in the power play goal with less than five minutes left and sparked his team’s rebound. Kuznetzov fueled the team’s momentum, as he assisted on the game-tying goal and notched the overtime goal to lift his team to victory.

Team Russia holds two of the strongest scorers of the preliminary tournament in Dmitri Orlov and Vladimir Tarasenko, who have eight and seven goals respectively. They’re ranked at the top of this year’s Championship with three Canadians, Schenn, Ellis and Johansen, who have been integral pieces to Canada’s offense.

Team Sweden faced a similar path during the preliminary rounds to that of Team USA, winning three games in regulation and one in overtime that landed them the top seed of Group B with 11 points. Sweden secured the top seed with a stellar 6-5 shootout victory over tournament powerhouse Team Canada.

Canada, who plowed their way through the tournament with commanding victories, was greatly challenged by Sweden as the two teams exchanged goals through 60 minutes of play.

Even players like Brayden Schenn, who leads the Canadian team and tournament in scoring, had a power play goal and an assist on a short-handed goal, couldn’t shut the hungry Swedes down.

Swedish forward Patrick Cehlin scored the final goal in regulation to send the game into overtime. The tied game went unsolved during the allotted overtime period, forcing a shootout. The shootout was decided by Anton Lander as Sweden ousted Team Canada from the top position in Group B and received a bye into the semi-finals.

Both teams defied the odds in their respective games and will challenge each other tonight to see who will advance to challenge either Canada or the U.S in the gold medal game on Wednesday night for the top honors in the World Juniors.