Canada and Russia were expected to face-off in Sunday's gold medal game at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Instead, the top two ranked men's hockey teams in the world will face each other in Wednesday's do-or-die quarter finals with the loser to feel the wrath of a hockey mad nation.

Both teams enter Wednesday's showdown riding similar paths. Canada struggled to beat Switzerland in a shootout before being upset by the U.S.

Russia has also had its struggles, losing to 2-1 in a shootout to Slovakia before narrowly beating the Czech Republic to win their pool.

Canada is also looking to beat a Russian team at the Olympics for the first time since 1960 in Squaw Valley. In fact, Canada is only 1-9 all time against the Russian Bear in Olympic competition.

Wednesday's game begins at 4:30 Pacific time.

Three other quarter final games will be contested as the U.S. face Switzerland, Finland battles the Czech Republic and Sweden tackles Slovakia.

Canada is in contention to win one or two medals in women's two-person bobsled.

Canadian sleds are first and fourth after the first two runs with the final two scheduled for Wednesday.

Kristina Groves and Clara Hughes are both looking for a podium finish in the women's 5,000 meters in speed skating while Canada's women battle China, Korea and the United States in the final of the 3,000 metre relay in short track speed skating.

Also up Wednesday is the women's giant slalom, men's cross country skiing relay, and heats in both the men's 500 metres and women's 1,000 metres in short track speed skating.

Link: Link to Wednesday's Olympic schedule