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Game Day Thread- World U20 World Championships: Canada vs Slovakia

The Holiday tradition continues, and this time, Canada is hosting the annual World Junior Hockey Championships. It's in a number of communities in Quebec and Ontario, with the major games in Toronto & Montreal. Today Team Canada looks to correct an embarrassing gold medal drought by starting their quest against the Slovaks.

By Kent Basky
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

2009. That's the last time Canada won gold at this tournament. And believe me, the pressure, already building with each passing year, is enormous this time around. Anything less than gold will be looked at as a failure. So there's a chance for redemption not just for this hockey mad nation, but goaltender Zack Fucale, who was in net for Team Canada at last year's event, dropping the bronze medal game to the Russians.

Along with Fucale, Canada also has Curtis Lazar, Connor McDavid, Sam Reinhart, Nicolas Petan, Frederik Gauthier, and Josh Morrissey returning from last year's squad. McDavid will be the focus of much attention, not just because of his potential #1 pick status in this summer's draft, but to see if his broken hand is properly healed. Along with the other veterans, McDavid will be looked at to provide scoring and leadership, but it's Fucale's success that will determine Canada's fate. Whether or not he can rebound from last year's disappointment will be seen.

The game starts at 5pm PST on TSN. Hope you all had a fabulous Christmas.

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