HEISLER vs BALLARD: WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Q-FINALS Ballard edged Heisler by a game last year, can he do it again?

First of all, thank you all for being patient with us over the last few weeks. Aside from the holidays, I've been dealing with another nasty throat infection, brother having to prep for a dangerous surgery, and even the passing of Tomas and Sonia's grandmother in Mexico. 

Needless to say, I'm excited to be able to return focus to the games. Tuesday's WJC games were interesting and that includes the United States dismantling of Canada in the evening. 

Moving into the Q-Finals, I think we are going to see a much higher level of intensity, speed, and tenacity from all the teams. 

Now let's get to the matchups!

Sweden vs. Latvia (Noon ET) -- Sweden was undefeated during the preliminary round in part because of a dynamic offense that scored 24 goals in four games, one fewer than Czechia's tournament-high 25. The Sweden power play is 7-for-20 (35 percent), the highest in the tournament. But there are areas that need to be improved, chiefly the penalty kill. Sweden allowed four power-play goals in the third period of a 7-5 win against Switzerland on Sunday and allowed one power-play goal and another on a penalty shot in a 4-2 win against Czechia on Tuesday. Their six power-play goals allowed are tied with Latvia for the most in the tournament. Latvia has emerged as the local fans' second-favorite team, even after their 3-2 shootout win against Canada on Dec. 27. Goalie Linards Feldbergs (2025 NHL Draft eligible) has become one of the better stories of the tournament, with a .926 save percentage while playing all four games. That includes 63 combined saves in regulation, overtime and the shootout against Canada. Forward Eriks Mateiko (Washington Capitals) has been their offensive leader with three goals in four games, including two against Germany on Monday, one in overtime.

HEISLER: Sweden better not look past Latvia in this one or it's going to be a long game. If the Swedes can maintain their composure, their superior talent should be the difference maker. PICK: Sweden

BALLARD: The Swedes walk into this game versus Latvia leading the tournament with a power play rating of 35%, which leads all WJC teams. Sweden has a 14.72 scoring proficiency thus far which ranks 2nd behind Czechia. Latvia stung Team Canada in a shootout and there goaltending has been very solid. Team Sweden cannot look past Latvia, but the smart bet would be Team Sweden over Latvia. PICK: Sweden

United States vs. Switzerland (2:30 p.m. ET) -- Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) made 38 saves in a 4-1 win against Canada on Tuesday, looking more like the goalie who allowed seven goals in four games to help the U.S. win the gold medal at the 2024 WJC, rather than the one who allowed eight goals in his first two games in Ottawa. The U.S. will also need more the power play that went 3-for-7 against Canada not the one that was 2-for-11 in its first three games. Defenseman Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals) drove the U.S. offense, tying for the tournament scoring lead with eight points (two goals, six assists), including the first goal against Canada. Switzerland reached the medal round after a 3-1 win against Kazakhstan on Tuesday. They lost 2-1 to Slovakia on Dec. 27 in a game that was tied until 3:16 was left in the third period, and then scored four power-play goals in the third period of a 7-5 loss to Sweden on Sunday.

BALLARD: Team USA has allowed 10 goals against while Switzerland has allowed 15 in the tournament. Team USA had a huge win over Team Canada and took a loss to Finland. With a power play rating of 27.78 and a high-powered offensive team. Team Switzerland will have their work cut out for themselves. Team USA should make the contest a one-sided affair early on and cruise to a victory. PICK: United States 

Finland vs. Slovakia (5 p.m. ET) -- Petteri Rimpinen (2025 draft eligible) is making the case for being the best goalie in the tournament. His 1.75 goals-against average and .947 save percentage are second in the WJC behind Canada's Carter George (1.01 GAA, .963 save percentage), but Rimpinen has started all four games, compared to three for George. The 18-year-old has a W rating from NHL Central Scouting on its preliminary players to watch list for the 2025 NHL Draft, meaning he's expected to be a sixth- or seventh-round pick. But he could be raising his stock with his play here. Slovakia has been off since its 5-4 overtime win against Kazakhstan on Monday, when they allowed two short-handed goals in the final 3:23 of the third period before defenseman Maxim Strbak (Buffalo Sabres) scored in overtime. Forward Dalibor Dvorsky (St. Louis Blues) is tied for the tournament lead with four goals.

BALLARD: This matchup is too close to call early on. With a scoring proficiency of 6.37 for Finland and a 9.57 for Slovakia this contest will go right down to the wire with no clear winner out of the gate. Slovakia’s powerplay is coming in at 28.56% while Finland is touting a 26.41% and these two teams match up extremely well. Look for Slovakia to lay in wait and get the edge late in the final frame to beat Finland. PICK: Slovakia

Czechia vs. Canada (7:30 p.m. ET) -- It's a rematch from the 2024 quarterfinals, which Czechia won 3-2 to send Canada to a fifth-place finish. Czechia will have seven players back from that game, including forwards Eduard Sale (Seattle Kraken) and Jakub Stancl (St. Louis Blues), who are tied for the tournament lead with four goals. Also back from that game is goalie Michael Hrabal (Utah Hockey Club), who made 28 saves in that victory. He's been good in his three starts this year, with a .925 save percentage. He made 37 saves in a 4-2 loss to Sweden on Tuesday, but Czechia was whistled for seven penalties, which led to two Sweden goals. Discipline was a constant issue as they were short-handed 19 times in their four games. The only team penalized more was Canada, which was short-handed 22 times, and was called for 29 minor penalties.  Canada also has issues offensively, scoring one 5-on-5 goal in its past three games. The players are confident they can play smarter and get their offense back on track.