Canada will play host Finland today in the quarterfinals at the World Junior Championship. The Canadians have struggled to say the least. After losing to the USA by a score of 4-2 in the opening game, beating Denmark 6-1, etching out a tight 3-2 win over Switzerland, and getting thoroughly trounced by Sweden 5-2, Canada finished third in their group, and sixth overall. It was the first time Canada has dropped two games in the preliminary round since 1998.
The defending champions have only managed 13 goals in four games, whereas they've allowed 11 goals against. Goaltending has been questionable, there's a clear lack of a solid defensive presence on the blue line, and the forwards have struggled to create chemistry.