For the first time in three years, the US is guaranteed to at least play for a medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship. But what color they play for will be determined by if they can do something else they have failed to do in each of the last two World Juniors - beat the Russians.
In each of the past two seasons, Russia eliminated the US in the quarterfinals. This year, the Americans had a strong group stage and cruised past the Czech Republic to get in to the semifinals. But once again, it's the Russians who await them in the semis.