Canada-USA at New Era Field: 3 things you need to know

Any hockey game between Canada and the United States is well worth watching, and Friday's matchup at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship is certainly no exception.

Here are three things you need to know before the Group A showdown:

1. A unique setting

For the first time in world juniors history, a game will be played outdoors. The setting will be New Era Field, the home of the NFL's Bills, located in the Buffalo suburb of Orchard Park.

There, a tournament-record crowd is expected:

IIHF says more than 40,000 expected for tomorrow's CAN-USA game at New Era Field. Previous WJC high: 20,380 for 2009 gold medal game in Ottawa. #WJC18

- John Matisz (@MatiszJohn) December 28, 2017

It won't be the biggest hockey crowd in the stadium's history, however, as over 71,000 fans attended the NHL's inaugural Winter Classic between the Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008.

According to the Weather Network, the temperature is expected to be 18 degrees Fahrenheit (-8 Celsius) at game time, but it'll really feel like 5 F (-15 C) with the wind. There's also a 60 percent chance of precipitation in the form of lake-effect snow.

2. The story so far

This will be the first meeting between these two countries at the world juniors since USA defeated Canada in a shootout to win gold at last year's tournament.

Canada enters the game with a distinct upper hand, having already beat Finland (4-2) and Slovakia (6-0), and having not played since Wednesday, thereby having all of Thursday to rest and prepare.

Team Canada takes the ice for practice at New Era Field. pic.twitter.com/KISlTyRCOs

- Josh Gold-Smith (@GoldAndOrSmith) December 28, 2017

Meanwhile, USA opened the tournament with a 9-0 win over Denmark, but surprisingly fell 3-2 to Slovakia on Thursday. That game was an 8 p.m. ET start, which leaves the Americans little time to regroup before the puck drops on Friday afternoon.

Canada, then, sits comfortably in first place in Group A, while USA is tied with Finland and Slovakia for second.

3. Who to watch

So far, the American squad has been led by Casey Mittelstadt, whom the Sabres drafted eight overall this year.

It wasn't enough, but his goal to draw even with Slovakia late in the third period was a show-stopper.

#1 on #SCTop10 @cmittelstadt

Thanks @Buccigross #WJCinBUF pic.twitter.com/UouAW7gv9a

- Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 29, 2017

Mittelstadt leads the tournament with three goals through two games, and could further endear himself to his future home crowd with a big game on the big stage.

For Canada, it's Jordan Kyrou leading the way with a goal and three assists, which has him tied for the tournament lead with four points. Like Mittelstadt, Kyrou - who was drafted 35th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2016 - scored a beauty against Slovakia.

Jordan Kyrou is FILTH. The @StLouisBlues prospect dangles and tucks a beaut! pic.twitter.com/lFpAO9VtTI

- NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) December 28, 2017

There'll be no shortage of talent at both ends of the ice in this one, and while the setting and conditions may not lead to optimal game play, it should be another memorable meeting between these rival nations.

The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET.

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