Monday Afternoon Meissnervations

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

************************************************

Today is June 20th, the 171st day of 2011. There are 194 days left in the year.

************************************************





Horton played playoffs with seperated shoulder.

Short off-season ahead for Canucks.

************************************************

Todays Birthdays: Actress Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck, Steel Magnolias) is 83; actor Martin Landau (Ed Wood, EDtv) is 80; actor John Goodman (Roseanne, O Brother Where Art Thou?, The Big Lebowski) is 59; singer Cyndi Lauper is 58; actress Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge, The Hours, Cold Mountain) is 44.

************************************************

U.S. Inline National Team Tops Slovakia, 12-3,
in 2011 IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship Opener
Walser, Kraemer Score Three Times Each in Victory

PARDUBICE, Czech Republic – Kyle Kraemer (St. Charles, Mo.) and Tyler Walser (Buffalo, N.Y.) scored three goals each, as the U.S. National Inline Team topped Slovakia, 12-3, in its first game of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation InLine Hockey World Championship.

“I was really happy with the way we played today, particularly in the second half," said Rob Chornomud, head coach of Team USA. "We began to adjust to playing with each other as the game went on, and I thought we improved with each period.”

U.S. National Inline Team rookie Walser opened the scoring just 19 seconds into the game. Then, following a Slovakia goal, Nathan Sigmund (San Diego, Calif.) potted a shorthanded goal to give the United States a 2-1 lead after one.

The U.S. extended its lead to 4-2 at halftime thanks to second-period goals by C.J. Yoder (Hershey, Pa.) and Rafael Rodriguez (Oceanside, Calif.). Then, Team USA pulled away from Slovakia with three unanswered third-period tallies. After Walser connected on his second goal of the night six minutes into the frame, Shawn Gawrys (St. Louis, Mo.) and Sigmund scored power-play goals 17 seconds apart to give the U.S. a 7-2 lead heading into the final period.

Junior Cadiz (Los Angeles, Calif.) potted his first career goal with the U.S. National Inline Team to begin the fourth quarter. Then, after Team USA's Walser and Slovakia's Martin Galik traded tallies, Kraemer scored three consecutive goals to close out the scoring. U.S. goalies Troy Redmann (Brea, Calif.) and Tommy Tartaglione (Harbor City, Calif.) split time in net, stopping a combined 20 of 23 shots faced.

Team USA will face Slovenia tomorrow at 2 p.m. EDT in its second preliminary-round game of the tournament. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: Rob Chornomud is serving as head coach of the U.S. InLine National Team for the third consecutive year, while former U.S. Inline National Team member Josh Milewski is the assistant coach for the second straight year … In the 14-year history of the IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship, the United States has earned gold medals in 1996, 1997, 2004, 2006 and 2010; silver medals in 1998, 2001 and 2009; and bronze medals at the 2000, 2003 and 2005 tournaments. There was no tournament played in 1999.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 2 2 3 5 -- 12
SVK 1 1 0 1 -- 3

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Walser (Sigmund, Yoder), 0:19; 2, SVK, Kristin (Novak), 2:09; 3, USA, Sigmund (unassisted), 7:11 (sh). Penalties: USA, Miner (interference), 6:43.

Second Period - Scoring: 4, USA, Yoder (Sigmund), 2:15 (pp); 5, SVK, Kristin (Holovic, Novak), 4:11; 6, USA, Rodriguez (Cadiz, Jr.), 7:09. Penalties: SVK, Kristin (high-sticking).

Third Period - Scoring: 7, USA, Walser (Kraemer, Doran), 6:32; 8, USA, Gawrys (Miner, Beilsten), 9:17 (pp); 9, USA, Sigmunt (Yoder, Beilsten), 9:34 (pp). Penalties: SVK, Holovic (holding), 2:37; SVK, Simunek (high-sticking), 8:20; SVK, Ruckay (tripping), 8:30.

Fourth Period - Scoring: 10, USA, Cadiz, Jr. (Sigmund), 3:18; 11, USA, Walser (Doran), 5:37; 12, SVK, Galik (Ruckay), 6:17; 13, USA, Kraemer (Doran), 7:26; 14, USA, Kraemer (Gawrys, Osterkamp), 11:10 (pp); 15, USA, Kramer (Gawrys, Rodriguez), 11:24. Penalties: USA, Rodriguez (body-checking), 3:42; SVK, Galik (slashing), 10:10.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 4 Total
USA 7 10 13 8 38
CAN 7 5 4 7 23

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 4 Total
USA, Redmann, 24:00 7-6 5-4 -- -- 12-10
USA, Tartaglione, 24:00 -- -- 4-4 7-6 11-10
SVK, Ondrejka, 24:00 7-5 10-8 -- -- 17-13
SVK, Hrusovsky, 24:00 -- -- 13-10 8-3 21-13

Power Play: USA 4-5; SVK 0-2
Penalties: USA 2-3; SVK 5-7.5

Team USA 2011 IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship Schedule
June 19-June 25 • Pardubice, Czech Republic

Date Opponent Time (Local/EDT)
Sun., June 19 Slovakia W, 12-3
Mon., June 20 Slovenia 8 p.m./2 p.m.
Tues., June 21 Canada 8 p.m./2 p.m.
Thurs., June 23 Quarterfinal Round TBD
Fri., June 24 Semifinal Round TBD
Sat., June 25 Medal Round TBD

************************************************

On this date in 1756 n India, 150 British soldiers were imprisoned in a cell that became known as the "Black Hole of Calcutta."

************************************************

Roughrider Training Camp Report: Day 15.

Roughriders announce Centennial Legacy fund.

Nye: We never saw a playbook: Brent Hawkins.

************************************************

Today is the start of Lightning Safety Week.

************************************************

Argos cut ties with Sam, two others.

CFL Replay: Looking back at PS Week #1.

Boltus making things difficult for Ticats brass.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

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

************************************************

               

Birthday toys are fun to play with.

************************************************

President Barack Obama sent his first tweet Sunday. Obama's re-election campaign staff has been running his @BarackObama account but said a few days ago that any tweets ending in "-BO" would be from the big man himself.

************************************************

ST PETERSBURG --  Before Sunday's start, James Shields said "it would be nice to replicate" his last outing against the Marlins, in which he turned in a shutout and tied a franchise record with 13 strikeouts.

What seemed to be wishful thinking turned into reality for Shields.

The right-hander picked up his fifth complete game of the season to power the Rays to a sweep of the struggling Marlins in a 2-1 victory Sunday at Tropicana Field. Shields had turned in just five complete games in 151 career starts entering this season.

Read the rest here.

************************************************

Larry Jackson from Dunn, North Carolina, was the winner over the weekend of the National Hollerin' Contest in Spivey's Corner, North Carolina.

************************************************

OAKLAND --   Currently, the most intriguing activity involving the Giants is occurring behind the scenes. That compensates for and reflects the lack of drama on the field, where the Giants endured a 2-1 loss Sunday to the Oakland A's.

The reigning World Series champions remained in first place in the National League West, a half-game ahead of Arizona. But that status surely doesn't fool Giants general manager Brian Sabean. He sees a team that owns a four-game losing streak, matching its season high, mainly because it can't hit.

Read the rest here.

************************************************

Today in Elvis History:

1968 - At Western Recorders, Elvis Presley began recording sessions for the 1968 TV Special "Elvis".

1970 - Elvis Presley's song "Kentucky Rain" hit #21 in the U.S.

1973 - Elvis Presley began a 14-date tour in Mobile, AL.

************************************************

Green Lantern debuted at No. 1 at the North American box office with $52.7 million.

... Opening Friday is Cars 2 and Bad Teacher.

************************************************

Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The Beatles formed their first corporation, Beatles Ltd. It was set up to handle their finances.

1964 - A book critic described John Lennon as "in a pathetic state of near illiteracy" after the publication of "In His Own Write."

1986 - Paul McCartney participated in the "Prince's Trust Birthday Party" at Wembley Arena.

1989 - Ringo Starr announced a comeback tour with his All-Starr Band.

1989 - Ringo Starr was a guest on NBC-TV's "Late Night With David Letterman."

1994 - It was reported that Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were working on a new song for inclusion on the "Anthology" box set.

************************************************

Michael Caine has described the plot to Batman sequel The Dark Knight Rises as "really extraordinary".

************************************************      

Today in Sports History:

1912 - The New York Giants and the Boston Braves combined for 17 runs in the ninth inning. The Giants scored 7 to the Braves' 10 runs. The Giants won the game 21-12.

1936 - Jesse Owens set a 100-meter record at 10.2 seconds.

1950 - Willie Mays graduated from high school and immediately signed with the New York Giants.

1960 - Floyd Patterson knocked out Ingemar Johansson to become the first heavyweight fighter to regain his own crown.

1966 - The U.S. Open golf tournament was broadcast in color for the first time.

1967 - Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted. The U.S. Supreme Court later overturned the conviction.

1980 - Robert Duran won a fifteen-round decision over Sugar Ray Leonard. It was the first defeat in twenty-eight professional fights for Leonard.

1982 - Pete Rose played in his 3,000th major league game. It was also his 523rd consecutive game.

1993 - The Chicago Bulls won their third consecutive NBA title. They defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 with a score of 99-98.

1994 - The Tigers' streak of 25 straight games with at least one home run ended. They lost the game 7-1 to Cleveland.

1994 - O.J. Simpson pled innocent in Los Angeles to the killing of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

1998 - Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs) hit two home runs for the second straight game. The feat set a major league baseball record of 16 home runs in June.

1999 - Lawrence Phillips became the first NFL Europe player to rush for more that 1,000 yards in a season.

1999 - The Dallas Stars won their first NHL Stanley Cup by defeating the Buffalo Sabres in the third overtime of game six. The game actually began on June 19th.

2001 - Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) hit his 38th home run of the season. The home run broke the major league baseball record for homers before the midseason All-Star break.

2002 - Luis Castillo (Florida Marlins) set a major league record for second basemen when he got a hit in his 34th straight game.

2003 - Jose Canseco was arrested after testing positive for steroids, a violation of his probation that stemmed from a nightclub brawl.

2004 - Ken Griffey Jr. (Cincinnati Reds) got his 500th career home run.

2007 - Sammy Sosa (Texas Rangers) got his 600th career home run. The hit came against, the Chicago Cubs, his former team.

************************************************

Did you have a good weekend? (If you did, it means that for Father's Day your kids didn't drag you to see Jim Carrey in Mr. Popper's Penguins.)

************************************************

WEST ALLIS, WISCONSIN -- Sometimes, Dario Franchitti knows all too well, a competitor's misfortune can be your biggest ally. This time, it worked to his advantage.

Franchitti inherited the race lead on Lap 200 when Helio Castroneves had to guide the No. 3 Guidepoint Systems Team Penske car into the pits for a quick change of a left-rear tire losing pressure and went on to 1.4271-second victory in the Milwaukee 225 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Five laps earlier, both drivers were given a reprieve from the unrelenting pressure of Tony Kanaan when his No. 82 GEICO KV Racing Technology-Lotus car spun exiting Turn 4 and made rear end contact with the SAFER Barrier. Kanaan, who led 33 laps, was running 0.7531 of a second behind Castroneves at the time.

Read the rest here.

************************************************

The U.S. Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States on this date in 1782.

************************************************

BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN -- For the first time this season -- at a track where he was expected to contend --Denny Hamlin finally dodged the pitfalls that have plagued him in previous races and closed the deal.

First out of the pits after a stop under caution on Lap 192 of 200, Hamlin held off Matt Kenseth after a restart with five laps left and claimed his first victory of the season in Sunday's Heluva Good! 400 at Michigan International Speedway.


Read the rest here.

************************************************

We've all heard it: Before making decisions of any magnitude, we should sleep on it. According to a new study from a University of Massachusetts Amherst psychologist, a good night's sleep gives us an increase in our cognitive skills and the ability to reason.

************************************************

Coming Up: 

Tonight --

MLB - Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers 8:10pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB - Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers 8:10pm EDT

MLB - San Francisco Giants vs Minnesota Twins 10:15pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB - Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers 2:10pm EDT

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Lions 10:00pm EDT

MLB - San Francisco Giants vs Minnesota Twins 10:15pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB - San Francisco Giants vs Minnesota Twins 3:45pm EDT

Friday --

MLB - Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 8:05pm EDT

MLB - San Francisco Giants vs Cleveland Indians 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB - San Francisco Giants vs Cleveland Indians 4:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Bucyrus 200 at Road America 5:30pm EDT

MLB - Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 7:05pm EDT

Indy Car Series -- Iowa Corn 250 at Iowa Speedway 8:00pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB - Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros 2:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway 3:00pm EDT

MLB - San Francisco Giants vs Cleveland Indians 8:05pm EDT

************************************************

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, be sure to tell your friends about this blog. See you tomorrow.