It's Saturday

It's Saturday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is April 16th, the 106th day of 2011. There are 259 days left in the year.

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Lightning beat Penguins to even series.

Caps shut down Rangers.

Canucks hold off Hawks in Game 2 win.

Ducks beat Nashville to even series.

Here's the First Round playoff schedule.

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Today is Auctioneers Day.

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USHL Clark Cup Playoffs – First Round

Eastern Conference

Indiana Ice (#3) vs. Waterloo Black Hawks (#6)

Game 1: Thursday, April 14th  – Waterloo 0 @ Indiana 5

Game 2: Friday, April 15th – Waterloo 3 @ Indiana 6

Indiana wins series 2-0.



Team USA (#4) vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (#5)

Game 1: Friday, April 15th – Muskegon 2 @ Team USA 0

Game 2: Saturday, April 16th, 7:00 PM – Muskegon @ Team USA

Game 3: Sunday, April 17th, 3:00 PM – Muskegon @ Team USA**

All games played at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Michigan



Western Conference

Sioux Falls Stampede (#3) vs. Sioux City Musketeers (#6)

Game 1: Wednesday, April 13th, 7:05 PM – Sioux City 1 @ Sioux Falls 5

Game 2: Thursday, April 14th – Sioux City  4@ Sioux Falls 3 (OT)

Game 3: Sunday, April 17th, 6:05 PM – Sioux City @ Sioux Falls

All games played at the Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota



Fargo Force (#4) vs. Lincoln Stars (#5)

Game 1: Friday, April 15th – Lincoln 0 @ Fargo 2

Game 2: Saturday, April 16th, 7:05 PM – Lincoln @ Fargo

Game 3: Sunday, April 17th, 5:05 PM – Lincoln @ Fargo**

All games played at the Scheels Arena in Fargo, North Dakota


** if necessary

(all times reflect local start time)

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This is Husband Appreciation Day. (I should make sure my wife knows this one.)


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Three Players Added to 2011 U.S. Men's National Team

Group Joins 16 Players Who Will Compete at IIHF World Men's Championship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced that three players have been added to the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship, April 29 - May 15, in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia.

The group includes defensemen Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka, Minn./Toronto Marlies/Univ. of Wisconsin) and Clay Wilson (Sturgeon Lake, Minn./Florida Panthers/Michigan Tech Univ.) and forward Craig Smith (Madison, Wis./Univ. of Wisconsin).

Wilson is currently with the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, while Gardiner competed for the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies following his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Smith recently finished his sophomore season as a teammate of Gardiner's at Wisconsin.

Gardiner will be making his second U.S. national team appearance, after helping Team USA capture the gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in Regina and Saskatoon, Sask., while Smith and Wilson will both be making their Team USA debuts.

The first 16 players for the U.S. Men's National team were announced on April 13. Overall, 12 of the 19 players have U.S. national team experience, having competed in a combined six IIHF World Men's Championships (2004-06, 2008-10), 10 IIHF World Junior Championships (2001-07, 2009-11) and five IIHF World Men's U18 Championships (2000, 2002-03, 2005, 2007).

For Team USA's roster, click here.

NOTES: Six of the 19 players are alumni of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Mike Brown (2001-03), Mike Komisarek (1999-2000), Al Montoya (2001-02), Kevin Shattenkirk (2005-07), Jack Skille (2003-05) and Mark Stuart (2000-02) ... Eighteen of the 19 members on Team USA played U.S. college hockey, including two current college players ... The average age of the 19 players is 25.1 ... The NHL's Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues each have three players on the roster, while the Florida Panthers have two ... The U.S. Men's National Team's fourth-place finish at the 2009 IIHF World Men's Championship was Team USA's best finish at the tournament since capturing the bronze medal in 2004 ... All teams at the 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship may begin the tournament with 20 skaters and three goaltenders, and can add two players after the first three games ... The 2011 U.S. Men’s National Team is under the direction of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, including NHL general managers Brian Burke (Toronto), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poile (Nashville), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh) and Dale Tallon (Florida); Atlanta Thrashers president Don Waddell; and Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director for hockey operations. 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 ... As previously announced, Scott Gordon will serve as head coach for the second consecutive year after leading the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team, while Greg Cronin, Phil Housley and Barry Smith will serve as assistants ... 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. For more information, visit USAHockey.com.

Team USA 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship Schedule
April 29 - 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.
Thu., May 5-Mon., May 9 Qualification Round Kosice/Bratislava TBD
Thu., May 5-Sun., May 8 Relegation Round Kosice/Bratislava TBD
Wed., May 11-Thu., 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.

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

U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Tops Slovakia, 8-1,
in Second Game of 2011 IIHF World Men's U18 Championship

Eight Different Players Score for Team USA

CRIMMITSCHAU, Germany – Eight different players scored for Team USA and Robbie Russo (Westmont, Ill.) notched three points (1-2), as the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team topped Slovakia, 8-1, here today in its second preliminary game of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's U18 Championship. Fifteen U.S. players recorded at least one point in the win, which improved Team USA's overall record to 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L).

"Specials teams were a major part of this victory and the difference in the game," said Ron Rolston, head coach of the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team. "We will have to continue that play throughout the tournament to be successful."

Team USA killed off two consecutive penalties in the first period, before netting two power-play goals. Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif.) opened the scoring for the U.S. at the 11:22 mark when he directed a rebound over Slovakian goaltender Richard Sabol while on the man-advantage. Connor Murphy (Dublin, Ohio) doubled Team USA's lead when he wristed a quick shot that beat Sabol high on the glove side with just 29 seconds remaining in the opening period.

Just one minute into the second frame, Russo notched Team USA's third power-play goal of the game off a slapshot to put the U.S. up, 3-0. Travis Boyd (Hopkins, Minn.) then scored a shorthanded tally to give Team USA a four-goal cushion. Zac Larraza (Scottsdale, Ariz.) skated up the left sideboards into the offensive zone and poked the puck forward to Boyd, who snuck it past Sabol for the score. Reid Boucher (Grand Ledge, Mich.) added to the lead when he fired a wrist shot that found the back of net and Adam Reid (Chino Hills, Calif.) chipped the puck into the net with just 59 seconds left in the period to give the U.S. a 6-0 advantage heading into the third period.

Dan Carlson (Corcoran, Minn.) scored for Team USA less than five minutes into the final frame when he made a skilled move around the defender, deked Slovakian netminder Patrik Rybar and wristed the puck under the crossbar. Ryan Haggerty (Stamford, Conn.) then notched the seventh special teams goal for the U.S. when he tipped a Michael Paliotta (Westport, Conn.) shot into the net while on the power play.

Slovakia scored midway through the final frame, but the U.S. came away with the 8-1 victory.

John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Matt McNeely (Burnsville, Minn.) combined to make 24 saves in goal for the U.S.

The U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team returns to action Sunday (April 17) when it takes on Russia at 7:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. EDT), at Crimmitschau Arena. The game will be streamed live on FASTHockey.com.

NOTES: Robbie Russo was named Team USA's Player of the Game. With an assist last night (April 14) and three points (1-2) today against Slovakia, Russo moved into sole possession of tenth on the National Team Development Team list for career points by a defensemen. Russo has 57 points (11-46) in 108 games. Russo has four points (1-3) in two games played in the 2011 IIHF World Men's U18 Championship ... Rocco Grimaldi's three points (1-2) in tonight's game vault him from tied-for-17th to tied-for-fifth in NTDP all-time leading scorers in the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship. Grimaldi has posted three goals and collected 10 assists in nine games. Grimaldi played seven games for the 2010 U.S. National Under-18 Team that won gold last year in Belarus. Grimaldi also moves up the all-time goal scoring list with his goal today. Grimaldi's 38 goals place him in seventh within the NTDP, tied with Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn./2003-05) and James vanRiemsdyk (Middletown, N.J./2005-07) ... J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio) has recorded three assists in two games played at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship ... Reid Boucher and Ryan Haggerty have one goal in each of the first two games of the tournament ... For the complete U.S. roster, click here ... For live scoring updates, follow @USAHockeyScores and #U18WMC on Twitter ... All U.S. games will be streamed live on USAHockey.FASTHockey.com ... More information about the 2011 IIHF World Men's U18 Championship can be found here ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams train with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010 that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

SVK 0 - 0 - 1 - 1
USA 2 - 4 - 2 - 8

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Grimaldi (Miller, Jones), 11:22, (pp); 2, USA, Murphy (Boyd, Samuelsson) 19:31, (5-on-3). Penalties: USA, Gibson (interference), 1:18; USA, Biggs (slashing), 5:29; SVK, Dano (hooking), 9:59; USA, Kerdiles (slashing), 12:43; SVK, Bires (interference), 17:59; SVK, Korim (roughing), 19:13; SVK, Korim (roughing), 19:13; USA, Boucher (roughing), 19:13.

Second Period - Scoring: 3, USA, Russo (Jones), 1:00, (pp); 4, USA, Boyd (Larraza), (sh), 10:42; 5, USA, Boucher (Miller, Grimaldi), (pp); 6, USA, Reid (Biggs, Russo), 19:01, (pp). Penalties: USA, Bardreau (boarding), 2:57; USA, Miller (interference), 9:23; SVK, Bezuska (hooking), 12:44; SVK, Bench (too-many-men), 14:48; SVK, Mraz (hooking), 16:10; USA, Biggs (tripping), 16:16; SVK, Korim (roughing), 17:58.

Third Period - Scoring: 7, USA, Carlson (Larraza, Russo), 4:38; 8, USA, Haggerty (Paliotta, McCabe), 7:08, (pp); 9, SVK, Dano (Vasko, Mraz), 10:32. Penalties: SVK, Dano (tripping), 6:07; SVK, Korim (hooking), 8:55; USA, Biggs (checking-to-head), 11:06; USA, Biggs (misconduct), 11:06; SVK, Bezuska (high-sticking), 13:37; USA, Murphy (holding), 14:03; SVK, Luza (interference), 15:02.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
SVK 10 6 9 25
USA 11 17 18 46

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
SVK, Sabol, 35:37 11-9 14-11 -- 25-20
SVK, Rybar, 24:23 -- 3-2 21-18 21-18
USA, Gibson, 48:24 10/10 6-6 4-4 20-20
USA, McNeely, 11:36 -- -- 5-4 5-4

Power Play: SVK 0-8; USA 6-11
Penalties: SVK 12-24; USA 10-28

Team USA 2011 IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship Schedule
April 14-24 • Crimmitschau, Germany

Date Opponent Time (Local/EDT) Live Webcast
Sat., April 9 Canada (exhibition)* L, 1-2
Mon., April 11 Finland (exhibition)* W, 4-2
Thu., April 14 Switzerland W, 2-1
Fri., April 15 Slovakia W, 8-1
Sun., April 17 Russia 7:30 p.m./1:30 p.m. FASTHockey.com
Tue., April 19 Germany 7:30 p.m./1:30 p.m. FASTHockey.com
Thu., April 21 Quarterfinals TBD
Sat., April 23 Semifinals TBD
Sun., April 24 Bronze-Medal Game 2:30 p.m./8:30 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game 6:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.
*Exhibition games played in Dresden, Germany

U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls to Muskegon, 2-0,
in First Round of USHL Playoffs

Rutledge Stops 25 Shots for Team USA

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Goaltender Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) stopped 25 shots, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team dropped a 2-0 decision to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the first round of the United States Hockey League playoffs at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

"Anytime you lose in the playoffs, it's tough," said Danton Cole, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "The team did a lot of things fairly well, but we will regroup and figure out how to win tomorrow."

After two scoreless periods, Muskegon opened the scoring at the 5:36 mark of the final frame. Team USA had several scoring opportunities, including a 5-on-3 power play late in the third period, but could not convert for the equalizer. The Lumberjacks then scored a empty-net tally to seal the 2-0 win.

Jared Rutledge made 25 saves in the loss for Team USA, while Joel Vienneau stopped 34 shots in the win for Muskegon.

Team USA's second game of the best-of-three series against Muskegon will take place tomorrow (April 16), at 7 p.m. EDT, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Tickets ($6 adults, $4 students/seniors and $1 youth in jersey) will be available one hour prior to the contest.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

MUS 0 - 0 - 2 - 2
USA 0 - 0 - 0 - 0

First Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, Grzelcyk (slashing), 4:54; USA, Matteau (cross checking), 15:17.

Second Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: MUS, Moran (tripping), 2:57, USA, Hartman (5-holding) - served by Van Voorhis, 9:45; USA, Hartman (10-game misconduct), 9:45; MUS, Misiak (unsportsmanlike), 9:45; MUS, Yanis (roughing), 11:03; .

Third Period - Scoring: 1, MUS, Berry (UNA), 5:36; 2, MUS, Thrush (UNA), 19:26, (en). Penalties: USA, Wuthrich (tripping), 3:10; MUS, Woods (cross checking), 6:46; MUS, Masters (checking from behind); 12:36; MUS, Parker (holding), 12:54.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
MUS 10 9 8 27
USA 8 15 11 34

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
MUS, Vienneau, 60:00 8/8 15/15 11/11 34/34
USA, Rutledge, 59:32 10/10 9/9 8/6 27/25

Power Play: MUS 0-3; USA 0-5

Penalties: MUS 6-12; USA 5-21

Officials: Tom Chmielewski, Andy Thackaberry - Referees; Jesse Pletsch, Trevor Shivley - Linesmen

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Today is Record Store Day.

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Looking Ahead: The 2011 Roughrider receivers.

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 can't catch my tail.

Time for a snack.

I love my Snoopy.

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This is Teach Your Daughter to Volunteer Day.

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Today in Elvis History:

1954 - Roy Orbison attended an Elvis Presley show in Dallas, TX.

1955 - Elvis Presley made his first appearance on the "Big D Jamboree" on KRLD in Dallas.

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Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, signed the Treaty of Montebello with the Lombard League on this date in 1175.


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ST. PETERSBURG -- Joe Maddon gave the Tampa Chamber of Commerce its due: It picked a winner.

Using a lineup selected by civic leaders, the Rays recorded a 5-2 win over the Twins on Friday night at Tropicana Field before a crowd of 15,342.

It was the Rays' fourth consecutive win, and their fifth win in their last seven games. They are now 5-8 on the season.

Read the rest here.

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Queen Anne of England knighted Isaac Newton on this date in 1705.

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PHOENIX -- For much of his career, Matt Cain hasn't been accustomed to the Giants giving him many runs. So he must have been in seventh heaven Friday night when Pablo Sandoval staked him to a lead with a three-run homer in the first inning.

"That definitely felt good," Cain said after earning his second win of the season in a 5-2 Giants victory over the D-backs at Chase Field. "You definitely want to go out there and give them a shutdown inning and keep the momentum on our side."

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1818, the U.S. Senate ratified Rush-Bagot amendment to form an unarmed U.S.-Canada border.

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The Beatles performed on BBC TV for the first time on the show "The 625 Show."

1973 - Paul McCartney starred in his first TV special, "James Paul McCartney."

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 A lighthouse was swept away in a gale at Minot’s Ledge, Massachusettes on this date in 1851.

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Today in Sports History:

1939 - The Boston Bruins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the 1938-39 Stanley Cup Championship. It was the first time the best-of-seven series was used. The championship series had been a best-of-five in previous years.

1940 - The first no-hit, no-run game to be thrown on an opening day of the major league baseball season was earned by Bob Feller. The Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0.

1949 - The Toronto Maple Leafs became the first NHL team to win three straight Stanley Cups titles.

1968 - Major league baseball’s longest night game was played. The 24 innings took six hours, six minutes to play.

1985 - Mickey Mantle was reinstated after being banned from baseball for several years.

1999 - Wayne Gretzky announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL) to follow the game on April 18th.

2009 - Opening day took place at the new Yankee Stadium.

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The first book of postage stamps was issued on this date in 1900. The two-cent stamps were available in books of 12, 24 and 48 stamps.

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Coming Up: 

Tonight --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Aaron's 312 at Talledega 3:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 4:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks 8:10pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Aaron's 499 at Talledega 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 1:40pm EDT

Indy Car -- Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 3:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks 4:10pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox 6:40pm EDT

NHL Playoff Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 8:40pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox 6:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 8:40pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies 3:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox 6:40pm EDT

NHL Playoff Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins 7:00pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox 6:40pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

NHL Playoff Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins 12:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Nashville 300 3:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves 4:10pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves 4:05pm EDT

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