MONTREAL -- The young defense corps for the United States will have its hands full when Canada's talented forwards come bearing down on them during the much-anticipated preliminary-round game between the United States and Canada at Bell Centre on Wednesday (4 p.m. ET, NHLN-US, NHL.com).

The winner will earn the No. 1 seed in Group A and play against the No. 4 seed from Group B in the quarterfinal round of the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship on Friday. The losing team will finish second in the Group and play the third-place team from Group B in the quarterfinals.

The one goal allowed by the United States so far is the fewest it's allowed through three games at the WJC; the previous low was three in 2011, when the U.S. won the bronze medal. The United States never has posted three shutouts at the WJC; it has two so far.

MONTREAL -- Goaltender Thatcher Demko has been named the starter for the United States against rival Canada in the pivotal preliminary-round game at Bell Centre in Montreal on Wednesday (4 p.m. ET, NHLN-US, NHL.com).

Demko (Vancouver Canucks) has one regulation win against Slovakia (3-0) and one shootout win against Finland (2-1). He has a 0.48 goals-against average and .978 save percentage in two games.

Brandon Halverson (New York Rangers) was in goal for a 6-0 victory against Germany in the United States' other preliminary-round game. Halverson, who made 14 saves against Germany, will serve as the backup against Canada.

BROSSARD, Quebec -- Goalie Eric Comrie will start for Canada against the United States in the much-anticipated 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship Group A showdown on New Year's Eve.

It will be the second start for Comrie (Winnipeg Jets) in the tournament. The 19-year-old made 17 saves in a 4-0 win against Germany on Saturday.

"I think he's going to be ready," Canada coach Benoit Groulx said. "He's had a good day every day so far. We're very confident with both goalies."

First place in Group A will be at stake when Canada (3-0-0-0) plays the U.S. (2-1-0-0) at Bell Centre on Wednesday (4 p.m. ET, NHLN-US, NHL.com).

BROSSARD, Quebec -- United States captain Jack Eichel is focused on a showdown of two powerhouse teams at Bell Centre on New Year's Eve rather than his much-anticipated 1-on-1 matchup against Canada's Connor McDavid at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The consensus top-two 2015 NHL Draft prospects will face each other with their respective undefeated teams Wednesday with a first-place finish in Group A at stake (4 p.m., NHL Network).

"It's not at all about me versus Connor," Eichel said after the United States practiced at the Montreal Canadiens' suburban training facility Tuesday. "It's a huge matchup for the top seed in our bracket, so it's Canada and the U.S."

Eichel, who has a goal and an assist in three U.S. wins (2-1-0-0), said he hasn't watched McDavid much this year.

"He's obviously a good player for a lot of reasons, so that's probably my only comment," the 18-year-old Boston University center said.

Goalie Eric Comrie will start for Canada against the United States on Wednesday (4 p.m. ET, NHLN-US, NHL.com), Hockey Canada announced Tuesday.

Comrie, a Winnipeg Jets prospect, made 17 saves in a 4-0 Canada victory against Germany on Saturday. It has been his only action of the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship so far; Zachary Fucale (Montreal Canadiens) started Canada's other two games.

"We like both of our goalies and I thought Zach played well last night," Canada coach Benoit Groulx said Tuesday, according to Yahoo Sports. “But I also think Eric deserves a chance to play tomorrow. We really feel good about both goalies so we don't look further ahead. It's tomorrow [first] and then we’ll address [the rest] after."

Defenseman Erik Cernak of the Slovakian National Junior Team was suspended one game by the IIHF World Junior Championship disciplinary panel on Sunday.

Cernak, a B-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's players to watch list for the 2015 NHL Draft, will miss the game against the United States on Monday.

Defenseman Steven Santini was the final player released from the United States National Junior Team on Thursday.

Santini, a New Jersey Devils prospect in his second season at Boston College, has not played in a game since Oct. 25 when he sustained a wrist injury. He had a cast removed from the wrist Monday but did not play in any of the United States' three exhibition games. 

"We wanted to see where Steve was after he had the cast removed and it's clear he needs more time before he's ready to play," U.S. general manager Jim Johannson said.

Zachary Fucale will start in goal for Canada when it opens the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship Friday against Slovakia at Bell Centre in Montreal (8 p.m. ET, NHLN-US).

Hockey Canada made the announcement Thursday, choosing Fucale, a Montreal Canadiens draft pick, rather than Eric Comrie, a Winnipeg Jets prospect.

"We're comfortable with both goalies," Canada coach Benoit Groulx said, according to TSN. "We just think it was normal to start with the goalie who was there last year and give him a chance."

Sweden defenseman Oliver Kylington, one of the top European prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft, will not play at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, according to Canadian Press.

Canadian Press reported Tuesday that a Sweden team official said Kylington has an unspecified injury. The 17-year-old played Sunday in Sweden's 5-2 loss to Canada in a pre-tournament game in Ottawa but did not play Tuesday in a 10-5 loss to the United States.

The 6-foot, 180-pound defender, who earned an A rating from NHL Central Scouting on its players to watch list, has two goals and five points in 17 games with Farjestad in the Swedish Hockey League.

Forwards Jeremy Bracco and Cole Cassels were released from the United States National Junior team on Tuesday.

Bracco, who is a B-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's players to watch list for the 2015 NHL Draft, played Tuesday in an exhibition victory against Sweden, 10-5. Cassels, a third-round pick (No. 85) of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2013 NHL Draft, was a healthy scratch.