OTTAWA — The preliminary round wrapped up on New Year’s Eve with the two biggest games of the tournament so far here in Ottawa, with both Canada-USA and Sweden-Czechia deciding first place in the two groups.

Canada and the United States will face off on Tuesday night as the rivals meet again in the world junior hockey championship at what should be an electric Tire Centre in Ottawa.

Danny Nelson scored the eventual game-winner in the third period and Trey Augustine made 38 saves, leading the United States to a 4-1 win over Canada and into the top spot in Group A at the world junior hockey championship.

Team Canada’s path to a medal at the world juniors just got a little harder. With a 4-1 loss to the United States on Tuesday, Canada finished the preliminary round third in Group A with a 2-0-1-1 record.