Is There a Canadian Crisis In The Crease?

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"I've said it before but why is it Canada never has a goalie that steals the show? We are horrible at picking goalies for this team."

That's a quote from a friend of mine in a recent email. He is amazingly patriotic and passionate, but obviously making a blanket statement like that shows he's more tin man then scarecrow after meeting with the Wizard.

His memory is shorter then it would take anyone riding the stick Tiger Williams style to get planted in the WHL.

That Canada hasn't had a goaltender steal the show in recent years is true, but never is bit much.

Denmark No Contest for Canada

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From the beginning of the 2012 World Junior Championship, especially the Pool B portion in Edmonton, much of the focus has been looking ahead to New Year's Eve. The much anticipated collision between the United States and Canada is nearly here and Canada is a near flawless 3-0 after turning Denmark into a speed bump on their way to December 31st.

Post game comments follow...

Canada 2-0 After Blanking the Czech Republic

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Mark Stone is still red hot, the secondary scoring has arrived and Scott Wedgewood has staked a pretty good claim to be the go-to goalie in net. All in all, it was a pretty solid night for Canada as they improved to 2-0 thanks to a 5-0 shutout over the Czech Republic.

Canada Hammers Finland in Opener

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Most headlines after Canada's 8-1 blowout of Finland on Monday are probably along the lines of "Canada Stones Finland" or "Finland Stoned at WJC". Canadian forward Mark Stone registered a hat trick but Jonathan Huberdeau's 5-point night and Ryan Strome's 4-point effort should not be overlooked after game 1.

Post game comments after the jump.

WJC team by team preview: Canada

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This year's World Junior Championship will mark the 11th time Canada has hosted and the 5th time in the last 10 years. The Maple Leafers will be out for their 5th gold medal on home ice. This marks our final team by team preview, the rest of the countries can be found by scrolling down on our blog.

Pool B - Edmonton
First Game vs. Finland December 26th, 1:30 pm

3 Keys to Success

1 - Ryan Murray - He's the youngest Canadian but he really could have been the team captain. Hockey Canada has a tradition of giving it to a returning player and Jaden Schwartz is a grade A leader, but Murray would have been just fine a selection and he's not even NHL property yet. He's born in 1993 and because of his late birthday he's not eligible until 2012. He'll likely go top 3 because of his ultra smooth play. He never panics and will have the best first pass in the tournament.

2 - Visentin or Wedgewood - Canada's starting goaltender over the past two years hasn't been the guy who's finished the tournament as the number one man. Jake Allen gave way to Martin Jones in 2010 and Olivier Roy watched Mark Visentin take over last year. Visentin is back this year but enters the tournament on the heels of as shaky final game. There are lots who wouldn't be surprised if Wedgewood finishes the tournament as Canada's pipe man.

3 - Brett Connolly - The word potential has been following Brett Connolly around like a shadow for years. Despite injuries he was a top 6 pick and he made the Tampa Bay Lightning this year. Steve Yzerman loaned him to team Canada and Connolly has the potential to dominate the tournament. Often times Connolly will leave you wanting more for 50 minutes then make 2 unbelievable plays that lead to goals and lead his team to victory. He was unfairly criticized by some media members for his hit on Quinton Howden in training camp and had more then a few people talk honestly with him. He can come across as aloof at times and his play can fool people into thinking he's lazy but he really is a good kid with tremendous skill. Both will have to be on display for Canada to be successful. Last year Connolly had just 3 points.

Wild Card

Devante Smith-Pelly might separate someones shoulder in this tournament. If his pre tournament play is any indication the Anaheim Ducks prospect will be a heat seeking missile starting Boxing Day. He skates hard and hurls his 209 pound frame at opponents with all the passion one Canadian kid could have. The only problem that might occur is if Smith-Pelly can't contain his physicality and ends up in the box. Every Canadian team has had a physical dynamo, from Jordan Tootoo to Steve Downie and Smith-Pelly could be the X factor for this year's bunch.

Expectaion: It's gold or bust every year for Canada

Prediction: Canada ends it's 2 year Silver medal run with a return to the top part of the podium. Gold Medal Winners

Canadian Line Combos

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Team Canada wasn't planning an on ice work out Friday so who knows if the lines will stay the same as they were against Switzerland when they take on Sweden at Rexall Place tonight. There might be some tinkering, especially with Don Hay and company working an extra forward and defenceman through the line up. Who knows maybe they catch lightning in a bottle while cycling through the 13th forward.

So for what it's worth here are last night's line combinations, which were shuffled up as the game went on.

Hoping Schenn Starts a Domino Effect

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The LA Kings made the coaching and scouting staff of Hockey Canada breathe a little easier on Thursday. By sending Brayden Schenn back to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, the Kings also gave Hockey Canada it's #1 centre and all around best player. Schenn also makes the Wheat Kings an interesting team to watch, as getting back last year's co-captain could easily vault them a few spots up the standings.

The Wheat Kings sit tied for a playoff spot right now but are only a few wins out of 6th, and if they keep Schenn they could make a run for a home playoff game, which would be a pretty amazing accomplishment considering the players they lost after hosting the Memorial Cup.

Top 5 Tuesday: Canada Vs. USA storylines

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We're hours away from the gold medal border battle between Canada and the United States at the World Junior Championship, so today on Top 5 Tuesday we'll take a look at 5 things to watch out for.