Finland stuns Canada, advances to WJHC semifinal

Finland stunned Canada in the quarterfinals at the world juniors on Wednesday, defeating the defending champions 2-1 in overtime after tying the game in the dying seconds of the third period.

Canada's Ian Mitchell opened the scoring early in the second period and goaltender Michael DiPietro held the door shut until late in the contest.

However, the game began to slip away from the host country when Finland's Eeli Tolvanen banked the puck off Aleksi Heponiemi's leg from behind the goal line, and it snuck past DiPietro with 47 seconds left to force overtime.

Canada was awarded a penalty shot during the extra frame, but captain Maxime Comtois failed to convert. Then, Noah Dobson was gifted a wide-open net, but his stick broke on a one-timer, generating a turnover that led to Finland's game-winning goal.

With their quarterfinal elimination, Canada will fail to medal in the World Junior Championship for the first time ever on home soil, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

Finland will play Switzerland - the team that upset Sweden to advance - in the semifinal on Friday.

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