Heponiemi helps Finland ouster host Canadians

Aleksi Heponiemi STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER FILE PHOTO

Former Swift Current Broncos forward Aleksi Heponiemi played a critical role in helping Finland defeat Canada 2-1 in overtime in the quarter-final of the IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver on Wednesday.

Heponiemi had a puck batted off him and in with 47 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime.

Toni Utenen scored 5:17 into overtime for Finland to end the game as Heponiemi added a secondary assist.

Heponiemi now has four points in five games, as well as a plus-four rating, during his second World Junior Championship.

Finland will now face Switzerland in the semi-finals on Friday after the Swiss upset Sweden earlier in the day.