It's Tuesday

It's Tuesday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is April 26th, the 116th day of 2011. There are 249 days left in the year.

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Bolts force Game 7 with win.

Sharks advance on Thorton's OT goal.

Here's the First Round playoff schedule.

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Today is the first day of National Pro Life T-Shirt Week.

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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 – Muskegon 1 @ Cedar Rapids 6
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd – Cedar Rapids  1 @ Muskegon 5
Game 4: Monday, April 25th – Cedar Rapids 7 @ Muskegon 3
Cedar Rapids wins series 3-1.

Green Bay Gamblers (#2) vs. Indiana Ice (#3)
Game 1: Wednesday, April 20th – Indiana 1 @ Green Bay 5
Game 2: Friday, April 22nd – Indiana 1 @ Green Bay 3
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd – Green Bay 2 @ Indiana 1
Green Bay wins series 3-0.

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 – Fargo 1 @ Dubuque 2
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd – Dubuque 3 @ Fargo 0
Dubuque wins series 3-0.

Omaha Lancers (#2) vs. Sioux Falls Stampede (#3)
Game 1: Wednesday, April 20th – Sioux Falls 5 @ Omaha 2
Game 2: Friday, April 22nd – Sioux Falls 4 @ Omaha 3
Game 3: Saturday, April 23rd – Omaha  1 @ Sioux Falls 5
Sioux Falls wins series 3-0.

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Today is Hug An Australian Day.


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U.S. Men's National Team to Begin
IIHF World Men's Championship Play This Week

Versus to Provide Live TV Coverage;
Team USA to Face Austria in Pre-Tournament Game Tomorrow

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The U.S. Men's National Team will begin play at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship this Saturday (April 30) in Kosice, Slovakia.

The U.S. will face Austria, Norway and Sweden in preliminary-round play April 30 - May 4 before advancing to either the Qualification or Relegation Round. Team USA's first six games will be aired live on Versus, which will also broadcast both of the tournament's semifinal games on May 13 and the gold-medal tilt on May 15.

Team USA will also take on Austria tomorrow (April 27) at 2:15 p.m. EDT in a pre-tournament game at Tiroler Wasserkraft Arena in Innsbruck, Austria. Team USA's complete schedule is below.

NOTES: Live scoring from Team USA's pre-tournament game against Austria can be found here ... 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 preliminary round. The U.S. has currently named 19 players to its roster ... Scott Gordon will serve as head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team for the second consecutive year, while Greg Cronin, Phil Housley and Barry Smith will serve as assistants ... Last year, Team USA finished 13th at the 2010 IIHF World Men's Championship in Gelsenkirchen, Cologne and Mannheim, Germany ... 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 ... 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, is serving as associate general manager of the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team.

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

Date Opponent Location
Time (Local/EDT)

Wed., April 27 Austria* Innsbruck 8:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.
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)
*Pre-tournament game at Tiroler Wasserkraft Arena in Innsbruck, Austria

"Friends of Hockey" Sweepstakes Winner Announced
Johnny Ingram to Attend 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship in Slovakia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Johnny Ingram of Orlando, Fla., has been named the winner of USA Hockey's "Friends of Hockey" contest. He will receive a trip for two to the International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia, and will attend the U.S. Men's National Team's games against Austria (April 30) and Norway (May 2).

Ingram entered the contest by signing up for USA Hockey's "Friends of Hockey" membership category at this year's IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. The "Friends of Hockey" membership category is designed to bring together hockey fans who share a common interest in supporting the game. Membership benefits include automatic entry into contests, a three-issue trial subscription to USA Hockey Magazine, a quarterly e-newsletter with USA Hockey information and $5 coupons from ShopUSAHockey.com and Total Hockey, all for free.

"Our Friends of Hockey membership continues to grow and fulfill a need for hockey fans," said Pat Kelleher, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of membership development. "This membership has been a great way for those who don't play, coach or officiate to be directly connected to and part of the USA Hockey family."

NOTE: Fans can find more information on obtaining a free "Friends of Hockey" USA Hockey membership at USAHockey.com/FriendsOfHockey.


Applications for 2011-12 Brendan Burke Internship Now Available
Hockey Operations Internship Located in Ann Arbor, Mich., to Begin Aug. 15

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Applications for USA Hockey's 2011-12 Brendan Burke Internship are now being accepted. The 10-month internship, to run Aug. 15, 2011 - June 15, 2012, is designed for a recent college graduate interested in pursuing hockey operations as a career.

The Brendan Burke Internship was established in memory of the late Brendan Burke, who passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 5, 2010, at age 21. Brendan, the son of Brian Burke, general manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey and the National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs, was a student at Miami University and served as a hockey operations assistant with Miami's men's ice hockey team.

The 2011-12 Brendan Burke Intern will be located in Ann Arbor, Mich., home of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. The deadline for application submissions is June 3. Full details on the internship, including the application form, are available at BrendanBurkeInternship.com.

NOTES: Cole Burkhalter (Knoxville, Tenn.) is currently completing his stint as USA Hockey's first-ever Brendan Burke Intern ... Those interested in contributing to the endowment to support the Brendan Burke Internship may do so by contacting Sara Luther at the USA Hockey Foundation at 719-538-1162 or by clicking here.

U.S. Women's National Team Wins Third Straight World Title
with a 3-2 Overtime Victory against Canada

Knight Scores in OT to Lift Team USA to Championship

ZURICH - The U.S. Women's National Team won its third straight world title with a 3-2 overtime victory against Canada here tonight at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship at Hallenstadion. Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) scored the game-winning goal at 7:48 of the extra session, while Jessie Vetter (Cottage Grove, Wis.) made 51 saves in the championship-winning effort.

Team USA finished the tournament with a 4-1-0-0 record (W-OTW-OTL-L) to capture the gold medal for the fourth time in the last five world championships.

"I am so thrilled for the players," said Katey Stone, head coach for Team USA. "They've worked extremely hard and bought into everything we were trying to accomplish. They played their hearts out - what an awesome night."

After skating to a scoreless draw for the majority of the opening frame, the teams traded goals in the closing minutes for a 1-1 score after one. Jocelyne Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.) put the U.S. on the board at 16:56 after connecting on a give-and-go play with her twin sister, Monique Lamoureux-Kolls (Grand Forks, N.D.). With just eight seconds to go in the frame, however, Canada's Gillian Apps fired a slap shot under the crossbar to knot the game.

Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) scored the lone goal of a tightly-contested second period to put Team USA back ahead, 2-1. Splitting a pair of Canadian players, she hit the top right corner of the net with a backhanded shot at 12:05.

While on the power-play late in the third period, Canada tied the game on a Rebecca Johnston goal at 16:04 to force overtime. But Knight scored the championship-winning goal 7:48 into the 4-on-4 sudden-death overtime session to seal the victory for Team USA.

NOTES: Kelli Stack (Brooklyn Heights, Ohio) was named the U.S. Player of the Game ... Canada held the 53-50 edge in shots ... The U.S. was 0-for-5 on the power play, while Canada was 1-for-4 ... Monique Lamoureux-Kolls was selected as the top forward of the tournament by the directorate ... Caitlin Cahow (Vinalhaven, Maine) and Hilary Knight were selected to the media all-star team ... Knight was the tournament's leading scorer with 14 points (5-9), while Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wis.) was second overall with 11 points (4-7) ... Click here for the U.S. roster ... The U.S. had 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 were 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 served as the goalie coach and Misha Donskov was the skill development coach ... Get behind-the-scenes news and information by finding USA Hockey on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 1 1 0 1 -- 3
CAN 1 0 1 0 -- 2

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Lamoureux (Lamoureux-Kolls), 16:56; 2, CAN, Apps (Spooner, Piper), 19:52. Penalties: CAN, Wakefield (tripping), 1:43; USA, Lamoureux-Kolls (holding), 12:41.

Second Period - Scoring: 3, USA, Potter (Ruggiero, Knight), 12:05. Penalties: CAN, Slusar (hooking), 7:51; CAN, Irwin (interference), 10:55; USA, Cahow (holding), 11:28.

Third Period - Scoring: 4, CAN, Johnston (Hefford, Wakefield), 16:04. Penalties: USA, Lamoureux (interference), 10:25; CAN, Wickenheiser (hooking), 13:16; USA, Pucci (tripping), 15:42.

Overtime - Scoring: 5, USA, Knight (Chu, Pucci), 7:48. Penalties: CAN, Larocque (tripping), 3:28.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 OT Total
USA 16 14 12 8 50
CAN 9 15 23 6 53

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 OT Total
USA, Vetter, 67:48 9-8 15-15 23-22 6-6 53-51
CAN, Szabados, 67:48 16-15 14-13 12-12 8-7 50-47

Power Play: USA 0-5; CAN 1-4
Penalties: USA 4-8; CAN 5-10
Officials: Referee-Nicole Hertrich (GER); Linesmen-Zuzana Arazimova (CZE), Therese Bjorkman (SWE)
Attendance: 4,318

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

Date Opponent Location Result
Thu., April 7 Canada* Ann Arbor Ice Cube L, 1-3
Fri., April 8 Canada* Ann Arbor Ice Cube W, 4-1
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
Sat., April 23 Russia^ Hallenstadion W, 5-1
Mon., April 25 Canada% Hallenstadion W, 3-2 (OT)
*Pre-world championship game in Ann Arbor, Mich.
^Semifinal
%Gold-medal game

U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Wins the Gold Medal at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship with 4-3 Overtime Win Over Sweden

Team USA Captures Third Straight Gold Medal

CRIMMITSCHAU, Germany – The U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team topped Sweden in overtime, 4-3, here tonight to win the gold medal at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's U18 Championship. Connor Murphy (Dublin, Ohio) had two goals, including the game-winner at 6:06 of the overtime period, and added an assist, as Team USA captured its third straight gold medal in the tournament.

The U.S. overcame a two-goal third-period deficit to send the game into overtime and eventually emerge with its sixth gold medal in tournament history (2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011).

"We knew how talented Sweden was from past tournaments," said Ron Rolston, head coach of the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team. "This year, our players fought hard to come from behind and earn this gold medal."

Sweden jumped out to a quick lead with a goal at 3:24 of the first period. A late power play tally by Team USA's Jacob Trouba (Rochester, Mich.) tied the game, 1-1, however. Connor Murphy (Dublin, Ohio) and Trouba passed the puck inside the offensive zone before Trouba launched a shot through traffic for the marker.

Sweden took a 3-1 lead on tallies at 12:51 and 17:50 of the second period, but the U.S. responded in the third. Less than two minutes into the frame, Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif.) flipped the puck to Murphy at the top of the right faceoff circle, where he snapped a quick shot for the score. Then, with 1:29 left in regulation, Reid Boucher (Grand Ledge, Mich.) wired a shot past Sweden goalie Niklas Lundstrom to send the game into overtime tied, 3-3.

Just as a Sweden penalty expired six minutes into the extra frame, Robbie Russo (Westmont, Ill.) skated the puck into the offensive zone before locating Murphy at the left point. Murphy's first wrist shot attempt was blocked, but his rebound slap shot found the net for the game-winning tally.

John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) made 28 saves in the win for the U.S., while Lundstrom stopped 37 shots in the loss for Sweden.

NOTES: Connor Murphy was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... John Gibson received the directorate award as the tournament's best goaltender ... Gibson, J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio) and Robbie Russo were named Team USA's best three players ... Ron Rolston has guided the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team to three gold medals at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship, the only head coach in U.S. history to do so ... The U.S. has captured a record eight consecutive medals at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship, including three gold medals in a row (2009-2011), back-to-back gold medals in 2005-06, two silver medals (2004, 2007) and one bronze (2008). Team USA also captured the gold medal in 2002 ... Team USA's nine overall medals are most ever at the IIHF World Men's U18 Championship ... All 22 players on the 2011 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team come from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. ... Click here for the full U.S. roster ... A full recap of Team USA at the 2011 IIHF World Men's U18 Championship, including game recaps, photos and videos, can be found on USAHockey.com and Facebook ... All 22 members of the 2011 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team 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

USA 1 - 0 - 2 - 1 - 4
SWE 1 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 3

First Period - Scoring: 1, SWE, Forsberg (unassisted), 3:24; 2, USA, Trouba (Murphy, Boyd), 19:52, (pp). Penalties: SWE, Blomkvist (holding), 8:44; SWE, Karlsson (tripping), 18:05.

Second Period - Scoring: 3, SWE, Blomkvist (Bjorklund), 12:21; 4, SWE, Bjorklund (Karlsson, Johansson), 17:50. Penalties: USA, Russo (interference), 15:29.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, USA, Murphy (Grimaldi, Miller), 1:20; 6, USA, Boucher (unassisted), 18:31. Penalties: USA, Biggs (tripping), 4:07; SWE, Bengtsson (tripping), 6:00; SWE, Nilsson (interference), 12:07; USA, Biggs (tripping), 13:55.

Overtime Period - Scoring: 7, USA, Murphy (Russo), 6:06. Penalties: SWE, Klefbom (holding), 4:04.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 OT Total
USA 12 8 13 8 41
SWE 11 10 9 1 31

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 OT Total
USA, Gibson, 66:06 11-10 10-8 9-9 1-1 31-28
SWE, Lundstrom, 66:06 12-11 8-8 13-11 8-7 41-37

Power Play: USA 1-5; SWE 0-3
Penalties: USA 3-6; SWE 5-10

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

Date Opponent Results

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 W, 4-3
Tue., April 19 Germany W, 7-3
Sat., April 23 Canada (Semifinal Round) W, 5-4 (OT)
Sun., April 24 Sweden (Gold-Medal Game) W, 4-3 (OT)
*Exhibition games played in Dresden, Germany

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Today is Audubon Day. (Linky Link)

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Plenty of draft possibilities for Riders.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

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

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Put your eggs in the basket Jimmy.

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Today is National Kids and Pets Day. (Linky Link)

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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays, idle yesterday, open a three-game set at the Minnesota Twins tonight. First pitch is set for 8:10pm EDT.

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This is Richter Scale Day.

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PITTSBURGH -- The San Francisco Giants, off yesterday, open a three-game set at the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight. First pitch is set for 7:05pm EDT.

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Today in Elvis History:

1960 - The filming of "G.I. Blues," with Elvis Presley, began.

1962 - On location shooting for the Elvis Presley film "Girls! Girls! Girls!" finished.
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Copernicus made his first observations of Saturn on this date in 1514. 

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Today in Beatles History:

1964 - The Beatles attended the 28th birthday party for Roy Orbison.

1966 - The Beatles recorded 32 takes of "Octopus's Garden" at Abbey Road.

1978 - "Ringo" aired on American television. It was the musical version of "The Prince and the Pauper." The show was narrated by George Harrison.

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The British established an American colony at Cape Henry, Virginia on this date in 1607. It was the first permanent English establishment in the Western Hemisphere.

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Today in Sports History:

1912 - Hugh Bradley (Boston Red Sox) hit the first home run in Fenway Park.

1941 - An organ was played at a baseball stadium for the first time in Chicago, IL.

1952 - Patty Berg set a new record for major women’s golf competition when she shot a 64 over 18 holes in a tournament in Richmond, CA.

1964 - The Boston Celtics won their sixth consecutive NBA title. They won two more before the streak came to an end.

1966 - Red Auerbach retired as head coach of the Boston Celtics.

1988 - The NBA approved the addition of a third referee for the 1988-89 season.

1997 - Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) played what was billed as his last NHL game. He later came out of retirement to play for the Penguins as an owner/player.

2000 - Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar purchased the NHL's New York Islanders.

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NBC premiered "Lum and Abner on this date in 1931." It was on the air for 24 years.

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Coming Up: 

Tonight --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 8:05pm EDT

Wednesday --

NHL Playoff Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins Time TBD * - If Necessary

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 8:05pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates 12:35pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 1:10pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals 4:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Crown Royal presents the Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals 1:35pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels 1:40pm EDT

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