The Spengler Cup is nearing its end, with the semifinals happening today, while we're starting to figure out the playoff picture for the IIHF U20 World Juniors, though there are some important games to still take place. Stay here for the day's action.
Spengler Cup
SKA St. Petersburg 4, Geneve-Servette 3 (OT)
An overtime winner by SKA role player Anton But has propelled the star-studded Russian team into the Spengler Cup final, sneaking a backhander past Tobias Stephan about mid-way through the extra period. It was the second time the two teams had played each other, and the second time that SKA had won. SKA will try and defend the KHL's honour in the final, as KHL teams have won the past two tournaments.
Team Canada vs. HC Davos, 2:15 PM EST
The hosts and the Canadian NLA All-Stars will do battle for the second time this week, with Davos winning the last game 4-2. Jeff Deslauriers will make his fourth start in four days in goal for Canada, as head coach Mark Messier continues to lean on the Edmonton Oilers' farmhand. Will the strong home team again hold the Canadians at bay? The game will be on TSN2 in Canada and Eurosport2 in Europe.
IIHF U20 World Junior Hockey Championships
Switzerland 
(1-0-0-1) vs. Slovakia 
(0-1-0-1), 3:00 PM EST at HSBC Arena in Buffalo
Last year, these two teams met on New Year's Eve, and the seeds of the Benjamin Conz and Nino Niederreiter legends were planted, as both players starred in a victory which sent the Swiss to the quarterfinals and Slovakia to relegation. The Slovaks remember that game well, but they'll be trying to win this game without a couple of key players, as Peter Hrasko and Martin Marincin were suspended for headshots against the Americans. Like that game, the winner of this game can book their ticket to the quarterfinals, barring a German surprise tonight. This game is only being broadcast on Slovak TV.
Sweden 
(2-0-0-0) vs. Czech Republic 
(1-0-0-1), 3:00 PM EST at Dwyer Arena in Niagara
Sweden looked like tournament favourites in their win over Russia, and this should be a relatively easy test for them. However, the Czechs will be desperate for a win here in order to avoid the relgation round, so expect a strong effort from them. The Swedes could be guilty of looking ahead to tomorrow's showdown against Canada. Antonin Honejsek has been the star for the Czechs to date, while Patrick Cehlin leads the Swedes in scoring so far. This game will be available on TSN in Canada, CESKE in the Czech Republic, SVT in Sweden, and NTV+ in Russia.
Russia 
(0-0-0-2) vs. Norway 
(0-0-0-3), 7:00 PM EST at Dwyer Arena in Niagara
Well, expect the Russians to get off the schneid here and post their first win after tough losses to open the tournament against Canada and Sweden, even though both were close games. Norway closes out their preliminary round here, and you can bet they're going to be eyeing up the teams in Group A who will be joining them. Norway's respectable loss to the Czechs (0-2) should help them, provided that Russia advances and the Czechs join them in relegation. This game is only on NTV+ in Russia.
USA 
(2-0-0-0) vs. Germany 
(0-0-1-2), 7:00 PM EST at HSBC Arena in Buffalo
The Americans are in full control of their own destiny, as they should finish first in Group A by virtue of their OT win on Boxing Day vs. Finland. First things first: Germany awaits, followed by Switzerland tomorrow on New Year's Eve. Most importantly for USA is to remain healthy while posting the wins, as they probably can't afford to see players being lost like the game against Slovakia. Germany's fate will be officially sealed tonight, as barring a miracle greater than the 1980 USA Olympic team, they will be headed to the relegation round. They'll definitely hope for Slovakia to join them, as their OT loss to Slovakia could help them stay in the top group. This game is on TSN in Canada and the NHL Network in the USA.
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