It's Thursday

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

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Today is April 14th, the 104th day of 2011. There are 261 days left in the year.

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Fluery shuts out Bolts as Pens take opener.

Wings take series lead on Coyotes.

Semin's OT goal lifts Caps past Rangers.

Luongo blanks Hawks as Canucks take Game 1.

Preds shut down high-powered Ducks.

Here's the First Round playoff schedule.

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Todays Birthdays: Country Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn is 79; former baseball player/manager Pete Rose is 70; actor Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond) is 51; actor Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club, The Dead Zone) is 43; actor Adrien Brody (The Pianist, The Village, Predators) is 38; actress Abigail Breslin (Zombieland, Little Miss Sunshine) is 15.

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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, 7:05 PM – Waterloo @ Indiana

Game 2: Friday, April 15th, 7:05 PM – Waterloo @ Indiana

Game 3: Sunday, April 17th, 3:05 PM – Waterloo @ Indiana**

All games played at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana



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

Game 1: Friday, April 15th, 7:00 PM – Muskegon @ Team USA

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, 7:05 PM – Sioux City @ Sioux Falls

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, 7:35 PM – Lincoln @ Fargo

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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 Kobe Bryant has officially apologized to the gay rights group HRC (Human Rights Campaign) for using a homophobic slur during Tuesday night's Lakers game. 

... Kobe was also fined $100,000 by the NBA.

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Sixteen Players Named to 2011 U.S. Men's National Team

Team USA to Compete in IIHF World Men's Championship, April 29-May 15, in Slovakia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced today the first 16 players that will compete for the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship, April 29 - May 15, in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia.

The group includes two goaltenders, four defensemen and 10 forwards, and features 14 players from the National Hockey League.

Highlighting the roster are seven players with U.S. Men's National Team experience, including goaltender Ty Conklin (Anchorage, Alaska/St. Louis Blues/Univ. of New Hampshire), who competed for the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2004 (bronze) and 2005 IIHF World Men's Championships and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. Forward Yan Stastny (St. Louis, Mo./CSKA Moscow/Univ. of Notre Dame) is a two-time member of the U.S. Men's National Team (2005, 2006), while defensemen Mike Komisarek (Islip Terrace, N.Y./Toronto Maple Leafs/Univ. of Michigan) and Mark Stuart (Rochester, Minn./Atlanta Thrashers/Colorado College) played for the U.S. Men's National Team in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

In addition, goaltender Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill./New York Islanders/Univ. of Michigan) and forward Ryan Shannon (Darien, Conn./Ottawa Sentaors/Boston College) skated on the 2009 U.S. Men's National Team that garnered a fourth-place finish. Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College) is the only returnee from the U.S. squad that competed at the 2010 IIHF World Men's Championship in Cologne and Mannheim, Germany.

Four other players have experience at IIHF World Championships, including defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (New Rochelle, N.Y./St. Louis Blues/Boston Univ.), who was a member of the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team and silver medal-winning 2007 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team. Other Team USA veterans include Mike Brown (Northbrook, Ill./Toronto Maple Leafs/Univ. of Michigan), who competed on the 2005 U.S. National Junior Team and 2003 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team; Jack Skille (Madison, Wis./Florida Panthers/Univ. of Wisconsin), who played on the bronze medal-winning 2007 U.S. National Junior Team and gold medal-winning 2005 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team; and Blake Wheeler (Robbinsdale, Minn./Atlanta Thrashers/Univ. of Minnesota), a member of the 2006 U.S. National Junior Team.

Additionally, five players will be making their Team USA debuts with the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team, including defenseman Mark Fayne (Nashua, N.H./New Jersey Devils/Providence College) and forwards Andy Miele (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Phoenix Coyotes/Miami University), Nick Palmieri (Utica, N.Y./New Jersey Devils/Univ. of Minnesota Duluth), Chris Porter (Faribault, Minn./St. Louis Blues/Univ. of North Dakota) and Tim Stapleton (Forest Park, Ill./Atlanta Thrashers/Univ. of Minnesota Duluth). Miele was named the recipient of the 2011 Hobey Baker Memorial Award last Friday (April 8) in St. Paul, Minn.

For Team USA's roster, click here.

NOTES: Overall, the 11 players with U.S. national team experience have competed in six IIHF World 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) ... Al Montoya and Mark Stuart were both members of the 2004 U.S. National Junior Team that became the first U.S. squad to capture a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship ... Six of the 16 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) ... All 16 members of Team USA announced today played U.S. college hockey, including one current college player ... The NHL's Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues each have three players on the roster ... The average age of the 16 players is 23.8 ... 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. National Sled Hockey Team to Compete
in World Sledge Hockey Challenge Next Week

Final Event of 2010-11 Season to Take Place in London, Ont.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The 2010-11 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team will take part in its final International Paralympic Committee-sanctioned tournament of the season next week at the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in London, Ont.

Team USA, which won the event last year prior to winning the gold medal at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., will face Canada, Norway and Japan in the four-team tournament from March April 18-23.

"This is the final tournament of the year, so we have a lot of energy going into next week," said Ray Maluta, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. "We've been working on growing as a team all year long, and this tournament will be the culmination of all of those efforts."

All of the games from the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge will be streamed live on FASTHockey.com. For full coverage of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, including photos, videos and live game blogs, click here.

NOTES: Team USA won last season's World Sledge Hockey Challenge on Nov. 21, 2009, when Taylor Chace (Hampton Falls, N.H.) scored a game-winning shorthanded goal six minutes into overtime of the championship game against Canada ... 2011 marks the fourth World Sledge Hockey Challenge and the first to be held in London, Ont. ... The U.S. finished third last month at the 2011 Japan Para Ice Sledge Hockey Championships in Nagano, Japan, against the same opponents, despite missing Team USA veterans Taylor Chace, Jimmy Connelly (Galloway, N.J.) and Adam Page (Lancaster, N.Y.). All three are expected to participate in next week's tournament in Canada. For the complete 2010-11 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster, click here ... Earlier this month, the first-ever USA Hockey Adult Sled Hockey National Championships were held in Blaine, Minn. Current U.S. National Sled Hockey Team members Adam Page and Alexi Salamone (Grand Island, N.Y.) helped the Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey team capture the Tier I title, while Tyler Carron (Berthoud, Colo.) and Nikko Landeros (Berthoud, Colo.) skated for the Tier II champion Colorado Avalanche Sled Hockey team.

Team USA 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge Schedule
April 18-23 • London, Ont. • Western Fair Sports Centre

Date Opponent Time (EDT)
Mon., April 18 Canada 7 p.m.
Tues., April 19 Japan 12:30 p.m.
Wed., April 20 Norway 12:30 p.m.
Fri., April 22 Semifinal #1 12:30 p.m.
Semifinal #2 7 p.m.
Sat., April 23 Third-Place Game 11 a.m.
First-Place Game 2 p.m.

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No surprise here: The parents of a Detroit-area toddler who was accidentally served a margarita mixed cocktail in a sippy cup have sued the Applebee's restaurant chain. The lawsuit seeks in excess of $25,000.

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2011 CFL rules changes approved.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

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

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Okay Daddy, I'm done. Let's go home.

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A billboard company has apologized after placing a billboard for the TV show The Walking Dead right next to a funeral home in England.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - Elvis Presley recorded the song "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You".

1965 - The Elvis Presley movie "Girl Happy" opened in the U.S.

1969 - Elvis Presley's single "In The Ghetto" was released.

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First season Idol winner Kelly Clarkson and country singer Jason Aldean will perform their hit Don't You Wanna Stay on tonight's results show. Rihanna will also perform.


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BOSTON -- The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox were rained out last night. No reschedule date has been announced.


The Rays return home to play Minnesota tonight. First pitch is set for 6:40pm EDT.

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Catherine Zeta-Jones has checked into a mental hospital to treat her bipolar disorder. Her publicist said, "After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check in to a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her Bipolar II Disorder."

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SAN FRANCISCO --  If the Giants' initial homestand was any indication, get ready for another wild ride this season.

The reigning World Series champions entertained six sellout crowds by coming from behind in all four of their victories and securing each by one-run margins. Controversy joined the mix Wednesday as Buster Posey was hit twice by pitches before the Giants outlasted the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3, on sixth-inning home runs by Pablo Sandoval and Mike Fontenot.

Read the rest here.

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The first edition of Noah Webster's dictionary was published on this date in 1828 under the name "American Dictionary of the English Language."

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - In Richmond, England, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones met for the first time at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, England. The Rolling Stones opened the show.

1964 - In London, at the Scala Theatre, the Beatles filmed outside shots for their forthcoming movie "A Hard Day's Night".

1997 - Ringo Starr debuted as the host of the VH1 program "Classic Albums."

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The Atlantic passenger liner Titanic, on its maiden voyage hit an iceberg and began to sink on this date in 1912. 1,517 people lost their lives and more than 700 survived.

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Today in Sports History:

1925 - WGN became the first radio station to broadcast a regular season major league baseball game. The Cubs beat the Pirates 8-2.

1962 - Elgin Baylor (Los Angeles Lakers) scored 61 points in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics to set an NBA Finals record.

1969 - For the first time, a major league baseball game was played in Montreal, Canada.

1990 - Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles began a streak of 95 errorless games and 431 total chances by a shortstop.

1996 - The Detroit Red Rings won their 62nd game of the season.

1997 - Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers) scored 40 or more points in his fifth consecutive game.

1999 - Jose Canseco (Tampa Bay) became the 28th player to hit 400 career home runs. He was also the first non-United States born player to hit 400 runs.

2002 - Tiger Woods became the third player to win back-to-back Masters titles. It was the third Masters title of his career.

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On this date in 1984, the Texas Board of Education began requiring that the state's public school textbooks describe the evolution of human beings as "theory rather than fact".

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Coming Up: 

Tonight --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 6:40pm EDT

Friday --

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

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks 9:40pm EDT

Saturday --

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

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