It's Thursday

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

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Today is April 21st, the 111th day of 2011. There are 254 days left in the year.

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Capitals rally, beat Rangers in double OT.

Penguins top Lightning in double OT.

Sabres even series by beating Flyers.

Ducks even series by beating Predators.

Wings complete sweep of Coyotes.

Here's the First Round playoff schedule.

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753BC - Today is the traditional date of the foundation of Rome

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USHL Clark Cup Playoffs – First Round

Eastern Conference

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

Indiana wins series 2-0.

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

Muskegon wins series 2-0.

Western Conference

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

Sioux Falls wins series 2-1.

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

Fargo wins series 2-0.

USHL Clark Cup Playoffs – Second Round

Eastern Conference

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (#1) vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (#5)
Game 1: Wednesday, April 20th – Muskegon 1 @ Cedar Rapids 4
Game 2: Friday, April 22nd, 7:05 PM – Muskegon @ Cedar Rapids
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd, 7:15 PM – Cedar Rapids @ Muskegon
Game 4: Monday, April 25th, 7:15 PM – Cedar Rapids @ Muskegon**
Game 5: Wednesday, April 27th, 7:05 PM – Muskegon @ Cedar Rapids**

Green Bay Gamblers (#2) vs. Indiana Ice (#3)
Game 1: Wednesday, April 20th – Indiana 1 @ Green Bay 5
Game 2: Friday, April 22nd, 7:05 PM – Indiana @ Green Bay
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd, 7:05 PM – Green Bay @ Indiana
Game 4: Monday, April 25th, 7:05 PM – Green Bay @ Indiana**
Game 5: Wednesday, April 27th, 7:05 PM – Indiana @ Green Bay**

Western Conference

Dubuque Fighting Saints (#1) vs. Fargo Force (#4)
Game 1: Wednesday, April 20th – Fargo 1 @ Dubuque 2 (OT)
Game 2: Friday, April 22nd, 7:00 PM – Fargo @ Dubuque
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd, 7:05 PM – Dubuque @ Fargo
Game 4: Monday, April 25th, 7:05 PM – Dubuque @ Fargo**
Game 5: Tuesday, April 26th, 7:00 PM – Fargo @ Dubuque**

Omaha Lancers (#2) vs. Sioux Falls Stampede (#3)
Game 1: Wednesday, April 20th – Sioux Falls 5 @ Omaha 2
Game 2: Friday, April 22nd, 7:05 PM – Sioux Falls @ Omaha
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd, 7:05 PM – Omaha @ Sioux Falls
Game 4: Monday, April 25th, 7:05 PM – Omaha @ Sioux Falls**
Game 5: Wednesday, April 27th, 7:05 PM – Sioux Falls @ Omaha**
** if necessary
(all times reflect local start time)

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The Maryland Toleration Act was passed on this date in 1649, allowing all freedom of worship.


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U.S. National Sled Hockey Team Tops Norway, 4-2,
at World Sledge Hockey Challenge

Team USA to Face Norway Again in Semifinal Round Friday


LONDON, Ont. - Tim Jones (Mt. Ephraim, N.J.) scored 18 seconds into the first period and added an assist, as the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team topped Norway, 4-2, in its third and final preliminary-round game of the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge here tonight at the Western Fair Sports Centre.

With the victory, Team USA assured itself the second seed and a semifinal match-up against Norway on Friday (April 22).

"We jumped out to a quick start again this afternoon," said Ray Maluta, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. "This tournament really starts Friday, though, and we know we need to bring our top game against Norway once again."

For the second straight game, Team USA jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead less than 20 seconds into the game. Tim Jones (Mt. Ephraim, N.J.) created a turnover at Norway's blue line, skated in on net and fired a shot high past goalie Roger Johansen for his second goal in as many games.

The U.S. extended its lead to 2-0 less than three minutes later. Jones held a clearing attempt inside the Norway zone and sent a soft pass to the slot, where Adam Page (Lancaster, N.Y.) collected the puck, skated untouched to the net and slid a shot low past a sprawled Johansen.

Midway through the second period, Team USA took a 3-0 lead when Nikko Landeros (Berthoud, Colo.) fired a seeing-eye shot from the high slot off the right post and into the net. Then, with less than a minute left in the middle frame, Team USA scored on its first power-play goal of the tournament when Alexi Salamone (Grand Island, N.Y.) took a flip pass from Taylor Lipsett (Richardson, Texas) behind the Norway defense and sent a shot just under the crossbar.

Norway scored twice in the final frame, but could not complete a comeback, as U.S. goalie Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) earned his second victory of the tournament. Cash finished the game with 12 saves, while Johansen turned aside 13 shots in the loss.

Team USA's semifinal tilt against Norway can be seen Friday at 12:30 p.m. EDT on FASTHockey.com.

NOTES: Tyler Carron (Berthoud, Colo.) was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... 2011 marks the fourth World Sledge Hockey Challenge and the first to be held in London, Ont. Team USA won last year's event by topping Canada, 3-2, in overtime of the title game on Nov. 19, 2009, in Charlottetown, P.E.I. ... For full coverage of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, including a roster, photos, videos and live game blogs, click here.... All remaining games except for the championship tilt on April 23 will be streamed live at FASTHockey.com.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

NOR 0 - 0 - 2 - 2
USA 2 - 2 - 0 - 4

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Jones (unassisted), 0:18; 2, USA, Page (Jones), 3:02. Penalties: USA, Salamone (interference), 11:23.

Second Period - Scoring: 3, USA, Landeros (Page), 12:49; 4, USA, Salamone (Lipsett), 19:13 (pp). Penalties: NOR, Hamre (holding), 4:41; USA, Salamone (teeing), 6:37; USA, Landeros (high-sticking), 16:17; NOR, Pederson (elbowing), 19:03.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, NOR, Bjornstad (Pederson), 7:51; 6, NOR, Jacobsen (unassisted), 10:23. Penalties: None.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
NOR 1 8 5 14
USA 7 5 5 17

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
NOR, Johansen 58:20 7-5 5-3 5-5 17-13
USA, Cash 60:00 1-1 8-8 5-3 14-12

Power Play: NOR 0-3; USA 1-2
Penalties: NOR 2-4; USA 3-6
Officials: Referee - Mark Witlox; Linesmen - Paul Raes, Matt Clark

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 L, 3-1
Tues., April 19 Japan W, 8-1
Wed., April 20 Norway W, 4-2
Fri., April 22 Semifinals 12:30 p.m.
Sat., April 23 Third-Place Game 10 a.m.
First-Place Game 2 p.m.

U.S. Women's National Team Downs Sweden, 9-1,
at 2011 IIHF World Women's Championship

Team USA Advances to Semifinals With 3-0-0-0 Record

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland - Meghan Duggan (Danvers, Mass.) and Jen Schoullis (Erie, Pa.) each scored twice in leading the U.S. Women's National Team to a 9-1 victory over Sweden at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship here tonight at Deutweg Rink. With the win, the U.S. finished first in Group A with a 3-0-0-0 record to advance directly to the semifinals on Saturday (April 23).

"I was really impressed with how we started and played tonight," said Katey Stone, head coach for Team USA and also the head women's ice hockey coach at Harvard University. "We took advantage of every opportunity we had and played well in all three zones - overall, it was a very strong effort."

Team USA got off to a strong start, holding a 24-4 shots advantage in the first period and tallying four goals. Kelli Stack (Brooklyn Heights, Ohio) scored on the Americans' first power-play chance of the game when she knocked in her own rebound at 5:02. Schoullis then notched her first U.S. goal on a wrap-around play at 8:48.

In her first game of the tournament, Monique Lamoureux-Kolls (Grand Forks, N.D.) was next to score for the U.S. after Stack streaked up the left boards, cut toward the net and found Lamoureux-Kolls on the rush at 11:30. Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) closed out the opening-period scoring with a backhanded shot at 19:54 to put Team USA up 4-0.

The Americans added five goals in the middle stanza to gain a 9-0 advantage. Duggan scored the first and last goals of the frame, at 3:34 on the power play, then again at 19:10. Between Duggan's goals, Schoullis tallied her second of the game off a deke at 7:09, Kendall Coyne (Palos Heights, Ill.) put a wrist shot through Swedish netminder Sara Grahn's legs from the left faceoff circle at 11:00 and Jocelyne Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) used help from her sister in scoring at 13:10.

Erika Grahm scored for Sweden on the power play at 3:28 of the third period to account for the 9-1 final score.

Team USA will face the winner of Friday's (April 22) Switzerland-Russia quarterfinal on Saturday (April 23) at 8 p.m. (2 p.m. EDT).

NOTES: Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.) was named U.S. Player of the Game ... The U.S. outshot Sweden, 51-17 ... Team USA was 2-for-5 on the power play, while Sweden was 1-for-4 ... Click here for the U.S. roster ... The U.S. has captured three gold medals (2005, 2008, 2009) and nine silvers (1990, 1992, 1994,1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007) in the 12 previous IIHF World Women’s Championships. For more information on Team USA, click here ... Joining Katey Stone as assistant coaches are Mark Hudak, head women's ice hockey coach at Dartmouth College, and Hilary Witt, assistant women's ice hockey coach at Northeastern University. In addition, Robb Stauber is serving as the goalie coach and Misha Donskov is the skill development coach ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #2011WWC ... Follow the U.S. Women's National Program blog here ... Get behind-the-scenes news and information by finding USA Hockey on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 4 5 0 -- 9
SWE 0 0 1 -- 1

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Stack (Decker), 5:02 (pp); 2, USA, Schoullis (Steadman, Potter), 8:48; 3, USA, Lamoureux-Kolls (Stack, Lamoureux), 11:30; 4, USA, Potter (Chu, Knight), 19:54. Penalties: SWE, Eliasson (boarding), 4:22; SWE, Holmlov (hooking), 12:37.

Second Period - Scoring: 5, USA, Duggan (Knight), 3:34 (pp); 6, USA, Schoullis (Potter), 7:09; 7, USA, Coyne (Cahow), 11:00; 8, USA, Lamoureux (Lamoureux-Kolls), 13:10; 9, USA, Dugan (Chu, Schleper), 19:10. Penalties: SWE, Malmstrom (hooking), 3:34; USA, Pucci (hooking), 15:09.

Third Period - Scoring: 10, SWE, Grahm (Holst, Andersson), 3:28. Penalties: USA, Lamoureux-Kolls (high sticking), 2:36; USA, Decker (hooking), 3:28; SWE, Nevalainen (hooking), 5:10; SWE, Asserholt (tripping), 6:35; USA, Pucci (interference), 12:20.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
USA 24 18 9 51
SWE 4 6 7 17

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Vetter, 60:00 4-4 6-6 7-6 17-16
SWE, Grahn, 35:09 24-20 16-12 x-x 40-32
SWE, Martin, 24:51 x-x 2-1 9-9 11-10

Power Play: USA 2-5; SWE 1-4
Penalties: USA 4-8; SWE 5-10
Officials: Referee-Ulla Sipila (FIN); Linesmen-Zuzana Arazimova (CZE), Kerri Rumble (CAN)
Attendance: 748

Team USA 2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship Schedule & Results
April 16-25 • Zurich & Winterthur, Switzerland

Date Opponent Location Time (Local/EDT)/Result Broadcast
Thu., April 7 Canada* Ann Arbor Ice Cube L, 1-3 FASTHockey.com
Fri., April 8 Canada* Ann Arbor Ice Cube W, 4-1 FASTHockey.com
Sun., April 17 Slovakia Hallenstadion W, 5-0
Mon., April 18 Russia Hallenstadion W, 13-1
Wed., April 20 Sweden Deutweg Rink W, 9-1 Universal Sports
Sat., April 23 Semifinals Hallenstadion 8 p.m./2 p.m.
Mon., April 25 Bronze-Medal Game Hallenstadion 4 p.m./10 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game Hallenstadion 8 p.m./2 p.m. Universal Sports
*Pre-world championship game in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Dave Ogrean Selected for Induction into
Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame

Executive Director of USA Hockey to Join Hall in October 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, has been selected for induction into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2011, it was announced today.

Ogrean will join fellow inductees Jeni Armbruster, Dee Dowis, Sam Hairston, Burdette Haldorson, Dan McKiernan, Edi Scholdan, the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team and the 1978 Wasson High School Boys Basketball Team. The Class of 2011 will be formally enshrined at a banquet and ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at the Colorado Springs World Arena.

The 12th annual event, organized by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, will begin at 6 p.m. MDT with a reception, followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m. A sold-out crowd of 700 is expected to be on hand again this year. For reservations, contact Aubrey Johnson at 719-634-7333 or by email, at Aubrey@thesportscorp.org.

About Dave Ogrean

Dave Ogrean has been an integral part to the historic growth and success of USA Hockey for parts of the past five decades. Having joined the organization in 1978 as its director of public relations when it was previously called the Amateur Hockey Association of America (AHAUS), he served his first stint as executive director from 1993-99 and returned in 2005 to take on the same role.

Under his leadership since returning to the organization, USA Hockey has developed an unprecented partnership with the National Hockey League; created a new department for membership development that has helped in the resurgence of growth in youth hockey in the U.S.; introduced the American Development Model, a revolutionary player development curriculum for all youth associations; began an annual nationwide celebration called Hockey Weekend Across America; focused efforts on raising the profile of the USA Hockey Foundation, including hiring its first-ever chief development officer; and led efforts that resulted in USA Hockey gaining responsibility for the selection process and induction event associated with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Among his many accomplishments during his first term as executive director, Ogrean oversaw a significant increase in membership and revenue, as well as the construction of the current national headquarters; helped create the National Team Development Program; was a driving force in establishing the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, presented annually to the top player in women’s college ice hockey; and developed the concept of STAR (Serving the American Rinks) with U.S. Figure Skating.

Ogrean has also been closely involved with the United States Olympic Committee during his time in Colorado Springs. As the USOC's director of broadcasting from 1990-93, he was responsible for creating the initial broadcast division and generated over $12 million in revenue, as well as unprecented exposure for the national governing bodies of Olympic sports. He returned in 1999 as the USOC's deputy executive director of marketing and led the team that, together with the Salt Lake organizing committee, generated almost $200 million.

In addition to his time with USA Hockey and the USOC, Ogrean served as executive director of USA Football from 2002-05. He was recruited by the National Football League and NFL Players’ Association to build a new, independent, non-profit organization to support and promote the sport of amateur football at all levels. Prior to joining USA Football, Ogrean served as president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation where he led the development and creation of the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame, to which he will be inducted into come October, and the Rocky Mountain State Games.

From 1980-88, Ogrean worked at ESPN in corporate communications and programming. Following a successful eight years at ESPN, Ogrean joined the College Football Association as assistant executive director for television. During his two-year tenure, he worked with CBS Sports on remote production, with CBS and ESPN on game scheduling and selection, and helped launch the syndicated series, “This Week in College Football.”

Ogrean received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Connecticut (1974) and his master’s degree in film from Boston University (1978).

Listed among The Sporting News’ Top 100 Most Powerful People in Sports from 1993-99, Ogrean is currently among The Hockey News’ Top 50 People of Power and Influence. He is a member of the nominating committee for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, the Board of the Directors for the United States Olympic Committee and the Colorado Springs World Arena, and served on the United States Olympic Committee CEO Search Committee in 2009.

NOTES: Inductees selected into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame have lived, trained, worked or competed in the Greater Pikes Peak Region of Colorado during their athletic careers or service. In addition, inductees must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and character, and through these characteristics, inspired others ... The Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame is presented by The Gazette and American National Bank ... The Hall of Fame was established in 2000 by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation .... For more information, visit the Hall's official website at ColoradoSpringsSports.org.

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John Adams was sworn in as the first U.S. Vice President on this date in 1789.


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Riders add a pair to receiving squad.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

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

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Jimmy's got the zoomies.

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The U.S. Congress established the U.S. Mint in Denver, Colorado on this date in 1862.

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ST. PETERSBURG -- Tampa Bay is back to even.

After starting the season 0-6, the Rays have officially dug their way out of a hole. Wednesday night, they defeated the White Sox, 4-1, with 13,214 watching at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay moved to 9-9 on the season, or .500, which not too long ago looked like a far-fetched destination.

Read the rest here.

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The first Buffalo was born in Golden Gate Park on this date in 1892.

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DENVER -- The theory that surging teams regard scheduled off-days as unwanted interruptions doesn't apply to the Giants.

They've recovered from losing four of their first five games by winning nine of 13 games since and capturing four series in a row, despite Wednesday's 10-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. But San Francisco can use the free Thursday to recoup physically, because this is one banged-up team.

Read the rest here.

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Today in Elvis History:

1960 - Elvis Presley began preproduction work for the movie "G.I. Blues."

1962 - Elvis Presley's single "Good Luck Charm" hit #1 in the U.S. The song was his last #1 in the U.S. for the next nine years.

1962 - Elvis Presley's single "Anything That's Part Of You" hit #31 in the U.S.

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Bill Carlisle, the infamous ‘last train robber,’ robbed a train in Hanna, Wyoming on this date in 1916. 

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Today in Beatles History:

2003 - Paul McCartney called for a ban on cluster bombs

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German fighter ace Baron von Richthofen, "The Red Baron," was shot down and killed during World War I on this date in 1918.

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Today in Sports History:

1969 - Japanese marathon runner Yoshiaki Unetani won the Boston Marathon. 1,152 had entered the race.

1970 - Sportscaster Curt Gowdy became the first sports broadcaster to receive the George Foster Peabody Award for achievement in radio and television.

1980 - Rosie Ruiz won the Boston Marathon when she crossed the finish line in a record time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 56 seconds. After an investigation, she was stripped of the honor when evidence showed that she had not run the entire race.

1984 - David Palmer (Montreal Expos) pitched the fourth shortened, perfect game in major league baseball history. The game was called due to rain after five innings. Palmer had made 57 pitches.

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"Take It or Leave It" premiered on CBS Radio on this date in 1940.

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Coming Up: 

Tonight --

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.