The Epic Showdown

This is a scene from the Canada-USA battle last season at the U18 Women's World Championship in Japan. It serves as a reminder of tomorrow's battle for the top spot in Group A as Canada and the US will rumble once again for the top seed in the group. Last year, the US downed Canada 3-2 in group play to claim the top seed before Canada exacted revenge in the gold medal game with a 2-1 victory in overtime. Let it be noted here that winning the group is simply the first step in winning a gold medal.

Canada has played well at the U18 Women's World Championship thus far with Canada boasting balanced scoring, solid netminding, and a penchant for clutch goals. Whether or not they can match the American firepower will be seen, but taking a day off today - the tournament gives all teams today off - will be good for the ladies as they look to defend their gold medal.

Like the Canadians, there is balanced scoring up and down the lineup for the Americans, and this may pose a problem for the Canadians if the Americans can generate offensive zone time through possession. There isn't an American goal scorer with two netted in the tournament yet, but they have generated a ton of shots in their first two games against Finland (51 SOG) and Russia (25 SOG). Despite just scoring five goals in those games, the Americans are doing what every good team does by putting a lot of pucks on net and hunting for rebounds.

At the other end, Skylar Vetter is looking every bit as good in between the pipes as her namesake in Olympian Jessie Vetter despite there being no relation between the two. The 16 year-old made impressions last season at the tournament, and has returned with a purpose in trying to win a gold medal this year. Finland's Kiira Yrjanen beat Vetter at 11:38 of the first period on the power-play in the Finland-US game - the only puck to get past her thus far. Canada needs to be ready to strike if they get the opportunity tomorrow.

While both teams will earn a bye through the quarterfinal games due to their records, this game will determine who will likely face the daunting Russians who have given both teams runs for their money. Canada needed overtime to get past the Russians by a 3-2 score, and the Americans scored just once in their 1-0 victory over the Russians where the Russians showed all sorts of moxie in giving everything that the Americans could handle.

Tomorrow's game between the two hockey superpowers is another early one as the game will be played at 5:30pm CT, so here's hoping that the Canadians can get their necessary rest to be ready for the Americans. It should be another great game between these two rivals, so make sure you check the score on the Hockey Canada website or on Twitter!

Go Canada Go - that's all that needs to be said!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!