It's Friday

It's Friday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is December 17th, the 351st day of 2010. There are 14 days left in the year.

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Islanders edge Ducks.

Rangers rally to beat Coyotes in shootout.

'Canes rally to beat Thrashers in shootout.

Canadiens hold off Bruins.

Blues outscore Kings.

Senators slip past Wild.

Sharks tip Stars in OT.

Flames beat Leafs in Phanuef's return.

Oilers snap slump by beating Columbus.

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Today is National Maple Syrup Day.

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Bombarded by Bears.

Niagara gets former Riders' goalie.

USNTDP and success at the World Juniors.

Foguth gives Jacks steady play on defense.

Lumberjacks play heroes during holiday season.

Black and Blue's USHL power rankings.

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Today's Birthdays: Actor George Lindsey (Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show) is 75; actor Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) is 65; actor Eugene Levy (A Mighty Wind, American Pie) is 64; actor Bill Pullman (Independence Day) is 57; actress/model Milla Jovovich (A Perfect Getaway, Resident Evil) is 35.

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U.S. National Junior Team Pre-Tournament Camp Set to Start Today

Camp to Take Place Dec. 17-23 in Troy, Rochester, Jamestown and Amherst, N.Y.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - With the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship just 10 days away, the U.S. National Junior Team pre-tournament camp is set to begin today (Dec. 17) at Houston Field House in Troy, N.Y.

Twenty-nine players were invited to the camp, which will take place Dec. 17-23 in Troy, Rochester, Jamestown and Amherst, N.Y., and will include exhibition games against Rensselaer's men's ice hockey team (Dec. 19), the Czech Republic (Dec. 21) and Norway (Dec. 23). Schedule and ticket information for these games can be found below.

The final U.S. National Junior Team 22-man roster, which will compete at the IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Buffalo and Niagara, N.Y., will be announced on Dec. 22.

For the complete pre-tournament roster, click here. For Team USA's pre-tournament practice schedule, click here.

NOTES: The U.S. will be defending its 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal, having defeated Canada, 6-5, in overtime, to claim the title last year in Saskatoon, Sask. For a full tournament schedule and ticket information, visit BuffaloWorldJuniors.com ... The U.S. preliminary roster includes 18 first or second-round NHL Draft picks, including nine first-rounders. Additionally, six players are NHL draft eligible in 2011 .... Since 2000, Team USA has a .642 winning percentage (42-3-5-19-5/W-OTW-OTL-L-T) in the IIHF World Junior Championship and has medaled on three occasions, including gold in both 2004 and 2010 ... Keith Allain, head men's ice hockey coach at nationally-ranked Yale University, is the head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. He will be assisted by Mark Osiecki, head men's ice hockey coach at The Ohio State University; Phil Housley, head boys' ice hockey coach at Stillwater (Minn.) High School; and Joe Exter, goaltending coach at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program ... Jim Johannson is serving as the general manager of Team USA for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Tim Taylor, former U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team head coach and longtime Yale University men's ice hockey head coach, is also serving his second straight year as Team USA's director of player personnel.

2011 IIHF World Junior Championship
Team USA Schedule

Date Opponent Time* City Arena (Tickets Link)
Dec. 19 RPI# 4:00 p.m. Troy, N.Y. Houston Field House
Dec. 21 Czech Republic# 7:00 p.m. Rochester, N.Y. The Sports Centre at MCC
Dec. 23 Norway# 7:30 p.m. Jamestown, N.Y. Savings Bank Arena
Dec. 26 Finland 8:00 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena
Dec. 28 Slovakia 8:00 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena
Dec. 30 Germany 7:00 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena
Dec. 31 Switzerland 8:00 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena
Jan. 2 Quarterfinals^ 7:30 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena
Jan. 3 Semifinals^ 7:30 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena
Jan. 5 Bronze-Medal Game^ 3:30 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena
Gold-Medal Game^ 7:30 p.m. Buffalo, N.Y. HSBC Arena

*all times EST
#pre-tournament game
^if qualified

National Team Development Program Weekly Update

U.S. Nat'l Under-18 and Under-17 Teams Back on the Road This Weekend

THIS WEEK: The U.S. National Under-18 Team hits the road for North Dakota as it takes on the Fargo Force on Dec. 17. at 8:35 EST at the Urban Plains Center. Team USA then turns its focus to the University of North Dakota the next night (Dec. 18) when it faces the Fighting Sioux at 8:07 EST at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

The Under-17 Team has a lighter schedule this weekend, with only one game against the Indiana Ice on Dec. 17. Puck drop is set for 7:05 EST at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis. Last weekend, the Under-17 Team played three games in four nights, going 1-2-0.

U18 TEAM SPLITS THE WEEKEND: Jake McCabe (Eau Claire, Wis.) and Adam Reid (Chino Hills, Calif.) each scored a goal and John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) made 27 saves as the U.S. National Under-18 Team fell to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 3-2, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

Ryan Haggerty (Stamford, Conn.) netted two goals and added an assist, Reid Boucher (Grand Ledge, Mich.) collected a goal and an assist and Tyler Biggs (Cincinnati, Ohio) notched two goals, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team downed the Chicago Steel, 8-1, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Matt McNeely (Burnsville, Minn.) turned aside 30 shots in the victory.

U17 TEAM EARNS FIRST SHUTOUT; ICED BY ICE: Collin Olson (Apple Valley, Minn.) made 36 saves and Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) scored twice as the U.S. National Under-17 Team blanked the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 3-0, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Coming into the game, the RoughRiders had the best record in the United States Hockey League. It was the first shutout for Team USA this season and the only time Cedar Rapids has been held scoreless.

Mason Jobst (Zionsville, Ind.) recorded two points (1-1) in his Team USA debut, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team fell to the Indiana Ice, 6-2, at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis. Jobst was recently called up to play with the U.S., filling in for injuries on the Team USA roster. Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) made 27 saves for Team USA in the loss.

Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) recorded a four-point (1-3) night, Kyle Osterberg (Lakeville, Minn.) scored one goal and recorded two assists and Seth Jones (Plano, Texas) had three assists, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team fell just short of the Indiana Ice, falling 7-6, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: The Dec. 11 "Big Chill at the Big House," the outdoor hockey game pitting the University of Michigan against Michigan State University, had a distinct NTDP flare. When the Central Collegiate Hockey Association rivals clashed at Michigan Stadium, ten NTDP alumni took to the ice. Paced by Jon Merrill's (Brighton,Mich./2008-10) two goals and Matt Rust's (Bloomfield Hills, 2005-07) three assists, the Wolverines defeated the Spartans, 5-0, in front of the largest crowd ever for a hockey game. Other players who participated in the game with ties to the NTDP include: Michigan State's A.J. Sturges and Michigan's Chris Brown, Kevin Clare, Jacob Fallon, Kevin Lynch, Luke Moffatt, A.J. Treais and David Wohlberg ... Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis./2003-05) had the primary helper on a first-period goal and later clinched the win with a power-play goal at 9:47 of the third period as Toronto defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 4-1. Kessel also led the Leafs with six shots.

For the complete weekly update, click here.

Bye Selected to IIHF Hall of Fame Class of 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Karen Bye Dietz, two-time member of the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team, was today selected to the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame Class of 2011.

"Karyn was a dominating force on the international stage for more than a decade and her play served as an inspiration for young girls, not only in the United States, but across the world," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "Her selection is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary career."

Bye Dietz joins Tord Lundstrom (SWE), Bohumil Modry (CZE), Kalevi Numminen (FIN), Ladislav Trojak (SVK) and Doru Tureanu (ROM) in making up the Class of 2011. She will become the fifth female inducted into the 160-member Hall of Fame and the 19th American. The induction ceremony will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia, on May 15, 2011, during the IIHF World Men's Championship.

Bye Dietz’s inspirational play and offensive skills paced Team USA to six International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Championship silver medals, as well as gold and silver medals at the Olympic Winter Games.

As an alternate captain for the 1998 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, Bye Dietz led the team with five goals in helping to capture the first-ever gold medal awarded in the sport at the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. She subsequently was a member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team that won the silver in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she tallied three goals and three assists in five games.

Bye Dietz competed in six world championships dating back to 1992 and still ranks third all-time for the U.S. with 27 career goals in 30 games played. Overall, she competed in 175 games for Team USA, notching 110 goals and 119 assists for 229 points to rank fifth on the all-time scoring list.

Bye Dietz was also an accomplished collegiate player, amassing 164 points in 87 games at the University of New Hampshire. After graduating from UNH in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, she earned her master’s degree while playing two more years at Concordia University in Montreal.

In 1998, Bye Dietz was a finalist for the Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year Award, was named USA Hockey’s Women’s Player of the Year for the second time and was inducted into the University of New Hampshire Hall of Fame.

After her playing career ended, the River Falls, Wis., native worked for the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild in its grassroots program. She continues to take part in numerous speaking engagements and teaches fitness classes at her local YMCA. In addition, she serves as the color commentator for the Minnesota Girls State High School Hockey Tournament.

Bye Dietz currently resides in Hudson, Wis., with her husband, Calvin, and their two children, Tatum and Brody.

Ogrean Named to U.S. Olympic Committee Board of Directors

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, was today named to the U.S. Olympic Committee board of directors. He is one of five new directors, as announced by the USOC board of directors following its meeting today in Redwood City, Calif.

Joining Ogrean as new members are Robbie Bach, James Benson, Nina Kemppel and Susanne Lyons. All five were recommended to the board by its nominating and governance committee following an application phase, a vetting process and individual interviews.

Ogrean, who is in his second stint as executive director for USA Hockey, has been part of the Olympic movement for over 30 years, having worked in administration, fundraising, marketing and public relations for various entities.

Since returning to USA Hockey in August of 2005, Ogrean has helped the organization reach new heights, including an unprecedented partnership with the National Hockey League. Under his leadership, USA Hockey created a new department for membership development that has helped in the resurgence of growth in youth hockey in the U.S.; introduced the revolutionary American Development Model, which provides associations nationwide a blueprint for optimal athlete development for the first time ever; began an annual three-day nationwide celebration called Hockey Weekend Across America to bring additional exposure to the sport; focused efforts on raising the profile of the USA Hockey Foundation; and helped ensure the sustainability of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame by negotiating a deal that resulted in USA Hockey becoming the legal entity governing the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Ogrean previously served as executive director of USA Hockey from 1993-99 and began his career in the sports industry with the organization as its director of public relations in 1978.

Click here for Ogrean's full bio.

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Morgan Freeman did not die Thursday. The rumor allegedly started when a Twitter user posted a phony retweet of an announcement attributed to CNN. The fake retweet went viral.

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Huskies' Etienne a top CFL prospect.

Encouraging results for Anthony Calvillo.

Eskimos release five.

Visit the league's official website, cfl.ca.

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If you've procrastinated on your holiday shopping it may pay off today. Today (December 17) is Free Shipping Day. FSD is the brain child of Luke Knowles and his wife Maisie, who started this retail phenomenon in 2008 by recruiting hundreds of merchants to offer free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. Link: http://www.freeshippingday.com/

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It's Jimmy, the cutest kid in town.




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The Federal Communications Commission decided to approve RCA’s color television specifications on this date in 1953.

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Here's the Week 15 NFL Schedule:

Thursday December 16 8:20p.m. San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers

Sunday December 19 1:00p.m. Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams

Sunday December 19 1:00 pm Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens

Sunday December 19 1:00 p.m. Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

Sunday December 19 4:05 p.m. Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks

Sunday December 19 4:15 p.m. New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday December 19 4:15 p.m. Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Sunday December 19 8:20 p.m. Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

Monday December 20 8:30 p.m. Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

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A British chili farmer has created what is now officially the world's hottest pepper. The farmer says this about his Naga Viper pepper: "It numbs your tongue, then burns all the way down. It can last an hour, and you just don't want to talk to anyone or do anything. It's a marvelous endorphin rush. It makes you feel great."

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Today in Elvis History:

1958 - Colonel Parker announced that Elvis Presley's single "One Night" had sold over 1,250,000 copies.

1960 - Elvis Presley's "I Gotta Know," the b-side to "Are You Lonesome Tonight," hit #20 in the U.S.

1963 - Elvis Presley presented a check for $55,000 for fifty-eight Memphis charities.

1963 - RCA excercised its option to extend Elvis Presley's recording contract two additional years.

1966 - The Elvis Presley soundtrack album "Spinout" hit #18 in the U.S.

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British taxpayers have paid over $2,000 for a painter to exhibit invisible pictures. A Polish artist got an Arts Council of England grant for a show that included "a painting that hasn't been painted yet".

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Today in Beatles History:

1986 - Paul and Linda McCartney's limo caught fire en route to a TV taping in Newcastle, England. They were both unharmed.

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Larry King Live is officially a thing of the past. (Larry's retiring so he can focus on the process of petrification.)

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Today in Sports History:

1933 - The Chicago Bears defeated the New York Giants in the first National Football League interdivisional championship game. The Bears won 23-21.

1967 - Noland Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) ran a kickoff return 106 yards to set an NFL record.

1984 - Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins) set NFL season records for touchdowns (48), completions (362) and yards (5084).

1991 - The NBA's most one-sided game took place when the Cleveland beat Miami 148-80.

1993 - FOX outbid CBS for the National Football Conference TV package.

1994 - George Foreman was a guest on "Saturday Night Live."

2000 - Terrell Owens (San Francisco 49ers) caught an NFL-record 20 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears. The previous record was held by Tom Fears (Los Angeles Rams) with 18 catches on December 3, 1950, against the Green Bay Packers. Owens also broke Jerry Rice's franchise record of 16 receptions set in 1994 against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Today is Wright Brothers Day.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres 7:30pm EST

MJHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Space Coast Hurricanes 8:00pm EST

Sunday --

MJHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Space Coast Hurricanes 12:15pm EST

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions 1:00pm EST

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That's all for today. See you tomorrow.