Monday Afternoon Meissnervations

It's Monday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is April 25th, the 115th day of 2011. There are 250 days left in the year.

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Leino scores in OT as Flyers force Game 7.

Preds reach second round for first time.

Hawks force Game 7 with OT win.

Here's the First Round playoff schedule.

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Today is the first day of Safe Kids Week. (Linky Link)

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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, 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 – 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
Sious Falls wins series 3-0.
** if necessary
(all times reflect local start time)

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Today is Easter Monday.


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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 the day for the White House Easter Egg Roll.

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According to Esks receiver Andrew Nowacki.

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 gets ready to hunt for Easter Eggs, with Mommy's Help.

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Today is 20-something service Day.

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TORONTO -- James Shields finished what he started for the second time in a week.

And Tampa Bay left Canada with a series win under its belt after taking a 2-0 decision over Toronto on Sunday afternoon, with 14,456 watching at the Rogers Centre. The win moved the Rays back to .500, and they remained in second place in the American League East.

Read the rest here.

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This is Malaria Awareness Day.

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Jeremy Affeldt stood up for the Giants bullpen and tried to take the blame for San Francisco's 9-6 extra-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Affeldt entered the game having allowed two runs in his previous 11 appearances of the season. He made a mistake to Jason Heyward on a 1-2 pitch in the seventh inning, costing him and his team another three runs when Heyward belted a homer deep to right-center.

Read the rest here.

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Today in Elvis History:

1912 - Elvis Presley's mother, Gladys Love Smith, was born.

1933 - Song writer Jerry Leiber was born in Baltimore, MD.

1956 - Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" hit #1.

1959 - Elvis Presley's single "I Need Your Love Tonight" hit #4 in the U.S.

1977 - Elvis Presley recorded a concert in Saginaw, Michigan. Three of the songs later appeared on the album "Moody Blue."

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Today is Plumber's Day. (Linky Link) 

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Today in Beatles History:

1964 - The Beatles had 14 singles on the American chart.

1964 - Peter & Gordon's cover of the Beatles' "World Without Love" was #1 in the U.K.

1967 - The Beatles recorded "All You Need Is Love" during a British TV broadcast.

1968 - The Beatles refused to perform for the Queen of England at a British Olympic Appeal Fund show because "Our decision would be the same no matter what the cause. We don't do benefits."

1981 - Wings broke up. Paul McCartney announced that he would carry on as a solo artist.
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Red Hat Day is today. (Linky Link)

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Today in Sports History:

1901 - The American League debuted at the Chicago Cricket Club. Chicago defeated Cleveland 8-2.

1909 - "Home Run" Baker hit his first and only grand slam.

1945 - Albert B. "Happy" Chandler was unanimously elected baseball commissioner.

1951 - The Soviet Union officially applied to compete in the Olympics.

1956 - Rocky (Brockton Blockbuster) Marciano retired as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world. He had 43 knockouts and 3 decisions to his credit.

1963 - Bob Cousy (Boston Celtics) retired.

1965 - New York Manager Casey Stengal got his 3,000th career victory.

1974 - Tampa Bay was awarded the NFL's 27th franchise.

1994 - David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs) scored 71 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. Robinson became only the 4th NBA player to be a 70+ scorer.

1995 - Darryl Strawberry was sentenced to three years probation, six months of house confinement and a $350,000 fine. Strawberry had avoided prison for tax evasion.

1995 - Petr Nedved (Pittsburgh Penguins) scored the game-winning goal with only 45 seconds left remaining in the fourth overtime period between the Penguins and the Washington Capitals. The game was the third longest in NHL history.

1996 - The Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers combined for the most runs in 26 years. The Twins won with a final score of 24-11.

1997 - Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche) got his 89th career playoff win. He passed Billy Smith for the top spot. The game was also Roy's 10th playoff shutout.

2002 - The NHL suspended Kyle McLaren (Boston Bruins) for an elbow to the face of Richard Zednik (Montreal Canadiens).

2010 - The NHL implemented a new rule that allowed the NHL Hockey Operations Department to review any hit where the head was targeted and/or the principal point of contact for the purpose of Supplementary Discipline.

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A patent was granted for the thimble on this date in 1684.

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Nashville -- Carl Edwards returned to Victory Lane at Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since 2007, winning Saturday’s Nashville 300 Nationwide Series race.

Edwards had won three Nationwide races in a row in 2006-07 but went six races at Nashville without winning again. His four Nashville victories are tops among all drivers at the 1.33-mile track.

Read the rest here.

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"Your Family and Mine," a radio serial, was first broadcast on this date in 1938.

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Coming Up: 

Tonight --

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

Tuesday --

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.