It's Friday

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

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Today is January 28th, the 28th day of 2011. There are 337 days left in the year.

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Snow said he had no other option with Nabokov.

Semin signs another one-year deal with Capitals.

Islanders sign Moulson to extension.

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Today's Birthdays: Actor Alan Alda (M*A*S*H, The West Wing) is 75; French president Nicolas Sarkozy is 56; singer Sarah McLachlan is 43; actress Kathryn Morris (Cold Case) is 42; writer and comedian Mo Rocca is 42; singer/actor Joey Fatone ('N Sync, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Dancing with the Stars) is 34; actor Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Green Street Hooligans) is 30.

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U.S. Women's National University Team Falls to Slovakia, 5-1, in 2011 Winter World University Games Opener

Team USA Next Faces Turkey Tomorrow (Jan. 28)


ERZURUM, Turkey – The U.S. Women's National University Team fell to Slovakia, 5-1, here today in its opening game of the 2011 Winter World University Games. Samantha Redick (Anchorage, Alaska/Lindenwood University) scored for the U.S., which is competing in the women's tournament for the first time.

"It's pretty exciting for all of us to be a part of the first U.S. women's team at this event and represent our country," said Mo Stroemel, head coach of the U.S. Women's National University Team. "It is a tough loss for the first outing, but we have a chance to bounce back with a game again tomorrow against the host country."

Slovakia took a 3-0 lead early in the second period, before the U.S. responded with a goal at the 10:20 mark of the middle frame. Ashley Rumsey (West Olive, Mich./Grand Valley State University) sent a pass to Redick, who fired a shot past Slovakia goaltender Zuzana Tomcikova for Team USA's first goal of the tournament.

Slovakia added two more goals in the third period to seal the victory, 5-1.

Goaltender Heather Rossi (Effort, Pa./Penn State University) made 18 saves for the U.S. in the loss.

Team USA will next face host Turkey tomorrow (Jan. 28) at 4 a.m. EST.

NOTES: The 2011 Winter World University Games marks the first time the U.S. is sending a women's team after women's ice hockey was added to the tournament in 2009. During the Games, Team USA will face all five other countries participating in women's ice hockey at the tournament - Slovakia, Turkey, Finland, Canada and Great Britain - in the preliminary round ... The 22-player U.S. Women's National University Team was selected following the USA Hockey Winter World University Games Evaluation Camp, which ran from Aug. 6-8 in Grand Rapids, Mich. The team is comprised of players from the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The complete U.S. roster can be found here, and information on the schools and states represented can be found here ... Mo Stroemel, who is beginning his fourth season as head coach of the Penn State University Lady Icers, is serving as head coach of the 2011 U.S. Women's National University Team, while Vince O'Mara, head coach of the Lindenwood University women's ice hockey team, and Cory Whitaker, head coach of the Grand Valley State University women's ice hockey team, are serving as assistant coaches ... The Winter World University Games is a biannual multi-sport event organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The international competition is staged in both the summer and the winter, similar to the Olympic Games. For more information on the 2011 Winter World University Games, click here.

TEAM USA COVERAGE

USA Hockey coverage of the U.S. Men's and Women's National University Teams throughout the 2011 Winter World University Games can be found on the tournament homepage; on USA Hockey's Facebook page; and by following #WUG on Twitter.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 0 - 1 - 0 - 1
SVK 2 - 1 - 2 - 5

First Period - Scoring: 1, SVK, Krajnakova (Jurcova), 12:59; 2, SVK, Gapova (Pravlikova, Karafiatova), 13:36. Penalties: SVK, Stofanikova (tripping), 8:20; SVK, Culikova (hooking), 17:32.

Second Period - Scoring: 3, SVK, Velickova (Dzurnakova), 0:48; 4, USA, Redick (Rumsey), 10:20. Penalties: SVK, Krajnakova (body-checking), 4:56; USA, Arcibal (hooking), 11:37; USA, Rumsey (body-checking), 19:06.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, SVK, Culikova (Pravilkova, Gapova), 0:42 (pp); 6, SVK, Gapova (Culikova, Velickova), 19:36 (pp). Penalties: USA, Crawford (tripping), 0:09; USA, Young (tripping), 1:09; USA, Arcibal (cross-checking), 5:24; USA, Reihl (holding), 8:05; SVK, Bernatova (hooking), 12:31; USA, Hoium (tripping), 18:33.

Shots by Period 1 2 3 Total
USA 2 6 3 11
SVK 7 10 6 23

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Rossi, 60:00 7-5 10-9 6-4 23-18
SVK, Tomcikova, 60:00 2-2 6-5 3-3 11-10

Power Play: USA 0-4; SVK 2-7
Penalties: USA 7-14; SVK 4-8

USA Hockey Winter Meetings Prove Productive

Organization Tops 100,000 8 & Under Players For First Time Ever

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Proposed rule changes, membership development, the American Development Model and safety were among the many topics at last weekend’s (Jan. 22-23) USA Hockey Winter Meetings.

“We had an extremely productive couple of days,” said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. “We’re fortunate to have such a strong group of passionate people who care about helping move our sport forward.”

USA Hockey Executive Director Dave Ogrean announced the organization has already eclipsed its total membership count from a year ago and, for the first time in its history, USA Hockey has reached 100,000 registered players at the 8 & Under level.

“Try Hockey for Free clinics, OneGoal starter equipment programs and other initiatives are paying dividends,” said Ogrean. “The cooperative efforts of rink operators, local associations, districts and affiliates, coupled with support from the NHL and its member clubs, has created an environment that has enabled us to make tremendous progress in attracting new players to try our sport.”

In regard to rule changes, much conversation took place about the proposed modification that would prohibit body checking in games for youth hockey players until they reach the Bantam level (13-14 year-olds). The current rule allows checking in games at the Pee Wee level (11-12 year-olds).

“This is a proposal that has significant support and we look forward to continued dialogue throughout the country on this and all proposed rule changes,” said DeGregorio. “In the end, we need to do what is best for the kids who play the game.”

DeGregorio noted the board of directors is extremely pleased with the progress related to the American Development Model.

“With the support of the NHL, we launched the ADM in January of 2009 and have already made significant headway in its implementation throughout the country,” said DeGregorio. “That is a credit to the outstanding job our ADM regional managers are doing in educating those at the grassroots level. The focus on cross-ice hockey at the 8 & Under level this year is wonderful and, while I know we have a lot of work to do, we’re positively affecting the landscape of youth hockey in America. That’s exciting.”

Dr. Michael Stuart, USA Hockey’s chief medical officer and a professor of orthopedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., presented summary findings to the Board from the ice hockey summit on concussions he led in October at the Mayo Clinic. His presentation included the following recommendations to USA Hockey:

Implement concussion education for coaches, parents, officials and athletes

Through rule changes, eliminate tolerance of any contact to the head
Delay legal body checking in games in youth hockey until age 13

Emphasize current curriculum that teaches body control, angling, anticipation, body contact and body-checking skills

Eliminate fighting through more stringent penalties for engaging in such behavior

DeGregorio noted the Board will formally address Dr. Stuart’s recommendations at USA Hockey’s Annual Congress in June.

NOTES: Ron DeGregorio honored three people with the President’s Award for outstanding contributions to the organization, including Kevin McLaughlin, senior director of hockey development; Larry Reid, vice president and marketing council chair; and Tony Rossi, vice president and international council chair … USA Hockey’s board of directors will vote on all rule-change proposals at its Annual Congress this June. Specific information related to the proposal to modify the age of legal body checking in games can be found by clicking here. All rule-change proposals can be viewed by clicking here … USA Hockey’s Annual Congress is set for June 8-11, 2011, in Colorado Springs … Dave Ogrean noted that 2011-12 will be USA Hockey’s 75th anniversary season.

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Today marks the 42nd anniversary of my Mom taking me to my first-ever hockey game: The Portland Buckaroos vs the Quebec Aces. The Bucks won 5-3.

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Lancers power past Force.

Check out the Lumberjacks, you'll be pleasently surprised.

Road games challenge for Storm.

Bucs score six goals again, continues hot streak.

Storm and Saints take it outside.

Prospect watch: Adam Erne.

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It's National Blueberry Pancake Day.

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Moffat: Cahoon retirement blows his cover.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

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

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Electronic Kindle books are now outselling paperbacks on Amazon. The news comes just six months after the company announced that e-books were outselling hardcovers.

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It's Mr. Toddler Artist!





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Here's the NFL Wild Card Round schedule:

At Seattle Seahawks 41, New Orleans Saints 36

New York Jets 17 at Indianapolis Colts 16

Baltimore Ravens 30 at Kansas City Chiefs 7

Green Bay Packers 21 at Philadelphia Eagles 16

Here's the NFL Divisional Round Schedule:

At Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Baltimore Ravens 24

Green Bay Packers 48 at Atlanta Falcons 21

At Chicago Bears 35, Seattle Seahawks 24

New York Jets 28 at New England Patriots 21

Here's the NFL Championship Round Schedule:

Green Bay Packers 21 at Chicago Bears 14

At Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19

Super Bowl XLV:

Sunday, February 6th 6:30pm Pittsburgh Steelers vs Green Bay Packers at Cowboys Stadium

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Jay Cutler's in for another weekend of rips by armchair quarterbacks, thanks to a TMZ video showing the Chicago Bear QB walking with his girlfriend, Kristin Cavallari. Never mind that it's been a few days since his injury -- and he's probably downing a few pain meds -- the guy's gonna get slammed.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 -Elvis Presley appeared on the Dorsey brothers' "Stage Show." It was Elvis' first network television appearance.

1963 - Production began on the Elvis Presley film "Fun In Acapulco."

1970 - "From Elvis In Memphis" was certified gold by the RIAA.

2005 - Lisa Marie Presley's single "Dirty Laundry" was played on AOL's First Listen.

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Gladys Morris teaches four yoga classes a week at a community center near where she lives in Heyside, United Kingdom. And because she's 88 she's set the new world record for the oldest yoga teacher.

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Today in Beatles History:

1992 - George Harrison's "Living in the Material World" was released on compact disc. The album was originally released on May 30, 1973.

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A woman in Italy says she is filing for a divorce from her husband due to his "excessive ties" with his mother. How excessive? He brought mom along on the honeymoon. The woman says her husband's mom also came along on their Christmas vacation.

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Today in Sports History:

1965 - The University of Chicago awarded blankets with the letter C to all seniors that played football during the 1903 season. This event marked the beginning of the sports letter tradition.

1922 - The National Football League franchise in Decatur, IL, transferred to Chicago. The team took the name Chicago Bears.

1948 - Max Bentley (Chicago Blackhawks) scored 4 goals and his brother Doug assisted on all of them. Doug also had a goal in the game.

1957 - The Brooklyn Dodgers announced that circus clown Emmett Kelly had been hired to entertain fans at baseball games.

1958 - Roy Campanella (Brooklyn Dodgers) was seriously injured in an auto accident in New York. He would never return to play again.

1990 - Aaron Neville sang the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl XXIV. Joe Montana got his third MVP award. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 55-10.

1996 - Diana Ross performed as the featured halftime performer at Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, AZ. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17. It was the fifth Super Bowl for the Cowboys.

2003 - The WNBA announced that Connecticut had been awarded a franchise for the 2003 season. The team, the Connecticut Sun, was the first WNBA team to be owned by a non-NBA owner (the Mohegan Sun).

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Homeland Security is ending its color coded alert system. (For terror, not for warnings about Taco Bell meat.)

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Sunday --

Nothin' Doin'

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Philadelphia Flyers 7:30pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals 7:30pm EST

Saturday --

SEJHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Eels 3:30pm EST

MJHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Eels 8:00pm EST

Sunday --

SEJHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Eels 10:30am EST

MJHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Eels 10:30am EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs St. Louis Blues 3:00pm EST

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That's all for today. See you again tomorrow.