Team Finland announced a series of cuts to their World Junior team following last night's exhibition game against Russia. Among the cuts was Penn State defenseman Erik Autio.
Autio would have been the first Nittany Lion to skate in the World Juniors, but his cut does mean that he will return to Penn State for a pair of critical non-conference games at the Three Rivers Classic December 29th and 30th.
Surviving the cuts for Finland was St. Cloud State defenseman Mika Ilvonen.
Finland opens up the World Juniors against the United States on December 26th.