It's Thursday

It's Thursday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is March 224th, the 83rd day of 2011. There are 282 days left in the year.

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Daniel Sedin nets pair as Canucks edge Wings.

Blackhawks stifle Panthers in win.

Ducks stun Stars with OT win.

Sharks inch closer to two seed in win.

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Today's birthdays: Actor R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket, Mississippi Burning, Mail Call) is 67; designer Tommy Hilfiger is 60; Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer is 55; TV personality/lawyer Star Jones is 49; actress Lara Flynn Boyle (Twin Peaks, The Practice) is 41; actor Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory) is 38; actress Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother, American Pie) is 37.


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USHL power rankings.

Carlson earns 400th USHL coaching win.

Lancers fall to Sioux City.

Waterloo Black Hawks weekly notes.

Bucs fall to Cedar Rapids in shootout.

Lumberjacks' mascot debuts Saturday.

USHL alum Wiercioch makes NHL debut.

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Kate and William's Royal Wedding will be sold on iTunes just hours after its conclusion. The following week they'll also be offering an audio recording on CD.

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National Team Development Program Weekly Update

U.S. National Under-18 Team Hosts Lincoln in Final USHL Game Friday;
Under-17 Team Battles for Playoff Position This Weekend

U18 TEAM HOSTS FINAL HOME GAME: The U.S. National Under-18 Team hosts the Lincoln Stars on Friday (March 25) at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in its final United States Hockey League game before preparation begins for the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championship in Germany, from April 5-25.

U17 TEAM BATTLES FOR PLAYOFF POSITION: The U.S. National Under-17 Team faces off in two USHL games this weekend. On Saturday (March 26), the U17's travel to Muskegon for a key match-up, as just five points separate these two teams in the playoff standings (as of March 22). Puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m. EDT at L.C. Walker Arena. The following day (March 27), the U17's host Des Moines at 3:05 p.m. EDT at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

U17's TOP CHICAGO AT THE CUBE: Paced by two goals from Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.), the U17 Team defeated the Chicago Steel, 3-1, on Tuesday (March 22) at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

U18's DROP DECISION TO WATERLOO: Reid Boucher (Grand Ledge, Mich.) notched a goal and Matt McNeely (Burnsville, Minn.) stopped 31 shots, but the U18 Team dropped a 4-1 decision to the Waterloo Black Hawks at Young Arena on March 18.

U18's COMEBACK BID FALLS SHORT AT DUBUQUE: Team USA notched three unanswered goals in the third period to force overtime, but the U18s' comeback bid fell short, as they fell to Dubuque in a shootout, 4-3, at the Mystique Ice Center on March 19.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Goaltender Alvaro Montoya (Glenview, Ill./2001-02) made 36 saves to help the New York Islanders to a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night ... Forward Nathan Gerbe (Oxford, Mich./2003-05) scored twice to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 2-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night (March 22). Gerbe is currently on a three-game point-streak (4-1--5) and has scored five goals in his last five games ... Nashville rookie Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn./2004-06) recorded his first career National Hockey League hat trick on Sunday (March 20) to help the Nashville Predators comeback from a two-goal deficit and defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 4-3, in overtime. After notching the first goal of the game, Geoffrion scored a pair 1:04 apart in the final three minutes of regulation to force extra time ... Ryan Suter (Madison, Wis./2001-03) is tied for third in the NHL in plus/minus, recording a plus-27 in 62 games played for the Nashville Predators ... Corey Potter (Mason, Mich./2000-02) recently was called upon to man the blue line for the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 15, making him the 64th NTDP alum to suit up for an NHL club during the 2010-11 season.

For the complete weekly update, click here.

U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group to Manage 2011 Club
Paul Fenton to serve as Associate GM; Scott Gordon Named Head Coach

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced today that the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group will select the staff and players for the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team that will participate in the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship April 29 - May 15 in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia.

The U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group includes National Hockey League general managers Brian Burke (Toronto), David Poile (Nashville), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), Dale Tallon (Florida); Atlanta Thrashers president Don Waddell; and Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director for hockey operations.

Johannson noted that Paul Fenton, assistant general manager of the Nashville Predators and general manager of the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, will serve as associate general manager of the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team.

"We're grateful to the members of our advisory group and the NHL for their continued assistance and support of the world championship," said Johannson. "It will also be a great benefit to have Paul in his role and utilize his knowledge of the American player pool."

GORDON NAMED HEAD COACH

In addition, USA Hockey also announced that Scott Gordon will be the head coach of the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team.

"We're extremely pleased to have Scott back behind the bench," said Johannson. "We're fortunate to have someone with his experience level, particularly in international hockey."

Gordon served as head coach of the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team and also was an assistant coach of the silver medal-winning 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. In addition, he served as assistant coach of the 2009 U.S. Men's National Team.

A Team USA veteran, Gordon was also a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.

Gordon was the head coach of the NHL's New York Islanders for parts of three seasons (2008-10). Prior to joining the Islanders, he led the Providence Bruins to the AHL's best regular-season record at 55-18-3 in 2007-08, and was named the recipient of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's Coach of the Year. After being promoted to head coach in his third season with Providence for the final nine games, Gordon then spent the next five seasons as the club's head coach.

NOTES: USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Tony Rossi, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams ... Versus will televise all Team USA games in the 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship. A final broadcast schedule will be available in the near future.

Team USA 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship Schedule
April 30 - May 15 • Kosice & Bratislava, Slovakia

Date Opponent Location
Time (Local/EDT)

Sat., April 30 Austria Kosice 4:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.
Mon., May 2 Norway Kosice 4:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.
Wed., May 4 Sweden Kosice 8:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.
Thurs., May 5-Mon., May 9 Qualification Round Kosice/Bratislava TBD
Thurs., May 5-Sun., May 8 Relegation Round Kosice/Bratislava TBD
Wed., May 11-Thurs., May 12 Quarterfinals Bratislava TBD
Fri., May 13 Semifinals Bratislava TBD
Sun., May 15 Bronze-Medal Game Bratislava 4:00 p.m./10:00 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game Bratislava 8:30 p.m./2:30 p.m.

Arenas: Orange Arena (Bratislava); Steel Arena (Kosice)


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Chris Brown will perform as scheduled next week on ABC's Dancing With The stars' results show, despite his post-show freak-out on Good Morning America earlier this week.

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Lions grant DB Trestin George release.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

Visit the leagues' official website, http://www.cfl.ca/.

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I think I'll go down this slide.



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It's estimated that 2.4 billion people around the world will see or hear at least some of the royal wedding next month. In the U.S. a new poll shows that 65 percent of Americans have no interest in William and Katherine's impending nuptials.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - Elvis Presley appeared on "Stage Show" for the sixth time.

1956 - Elvis Presley performed "Money Honey" and "Heartbreak Hotel" on TV's "Stage Show."

1958 - Elvis Presley was sworn in as a private in the U.S. Army.

2004 - In Fort Knox, Kentucky, the Patton Museum of Calvary and Armor opened a new exhibit that focused on the years Elvis spent in the U.S. Army. The exhibit was planned to stay at the museum until March of 2005.

2005 - The Broadway musical "All Shook Up" opened.

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Fargo, North Dakota tops Forbes magazine's new list of best places to retire in the United States.

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Today in Beatles History:

1980 - The album "Rarities" was released in the U.S.

1992 - Yoko Ono's "Walking On Thin Ice (Greatest Hits)" was released.

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A 70-year-old Swedish man was busted for driving 105 mph in a 55 zone. The man told authorities he was speeding because he was trying to get to a recreational vehicle dealership before closing time.

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Today in Sports History:

1936 - The Detroit Red Wings beat the Montreal Maroons 1-0. The first goal was not scored until 16 minutes and 30 seconds into the sixth overtime period of the season's first Stanley Cup semi-final game.

1962 - Benny "Kid" Paret was knocked into unconsciousness in a boxing match with Emile Griffith at Madison Square Garden. He died 10 days later. It was the first televised "death in the ring."

1971 - The Boston Patriots changed their name to the New England Patriots.

1973 - Nate "Tiny" Archibald became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring (34.0 ppg) and assists 11.4 apg). in the same season.

1975 - Muhammad Ali knocked out Chuck Wepner in the 15th round to retain the world heavyweight title.

1992 - Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) scored his 1000th career point in his 513th game. He was the second fastest player in the NHL to record 1000 points.

2002 - Michael Finley (Dallas Mavericks) became the 238th NBA player to surpass 10,000 career points.

2005 - The NHL canceled its draft due to a six-month player lockout.

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Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson and country music duo Sugarland will perform on tonight's American Idol results show.

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Coming Up: 

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 7:30pm EDT

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes 7:00pm EDT

Sunday --

Nothin' Doin'

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow.