It's Thursday

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

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Today is August 11th, the 223rd day of 2011. There are 142 days left in the year.

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Oilers hope youth is ready to lead run at playoffs.

Ten candidates for a bounce-back season.

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Todays Birthdays: Columnist Marilyn vos Savant ("Ask Marilyn") is 65 ... Computer pioneer Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple) is 61 ... Actor/wrestler Hulk Hogan is 58 ... Actor Joe Rogan is 44 ... Reality TV star Amber (Brkich) Mariano is 33 ... Actor Chris Hemsworth is 28.

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U.S. Under-18 Select Team Takes 6-5 Shootout Win over Slovakia
at 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament

Team USA Overcomes Late Two-Goal Deficit in Victory

PIESTANY, SLOVAKIA - Alex Galchenyuk (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and Jordan Masters (Rochester, N.Y.) each scored third-period and shootout goals, as the U.S. Under-18 Select Team topped Slovakia, 6-5, in its final preliminary-round game of the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

Trailing 5-3 with less than four minutes remaining in regulation, Team USA's Galchenyuk and Masters scored 55 seconds apart to force the game into an overtime and, eventually, a shootout, where the duo connected once again.

"I'm extremely proud of our guys for overcoming so much adversity today," said Seth Appert, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. "We stuck together through penalties and after falling behind a couple of times, and came away with a big win."

After falling behind in the first period, 2-0, Team USA stormed back to tie the game with back-to-back goals by Joseph Cox (Chelsea, Mich.) and Louie Nanne (Edina, Minn.). But Slovakia scored once more on the power play with less than two minutes remaining in the opening frame to take a 3-2 lead.

Slovakia extended its lead to 4-2 16 minutes into the second period while on a two-man advantage. But Team USA answered with a power-play tally of its own, as Masters potted his first goal of the game.

The U.S. fell behind by two once again when Slovakia scored 14 minutes into the third period. But Masters' power-play goal at 16:59 and Galchenyuk's tally at 17:54 sent the game into overtime.

After a scoreless extra stanza, the teams went to a shootout. Galchenyuk and Masters found the back of the net on Team USA's first two attempts, while U.S. goalie Jon Gillies (South Portland, Maine) denied Slovakia twice to give his team the victory.

The U.S. will play in the tournament's fifth place game on Friday (Aug. 12). Team USA's opponent, as well as the time and location of the game, will be decided later today.

NOTES: Jordan Masters leads Team USA with six points (4-2) in three games ... For the complete U.S. Under-18 Select Team roster, click here ... The 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament includes teams from Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. Team USA finished in second place last year ... Live streaming of Team USA's games can be found here, while live scoring and stats from the event can be found here ... Seth Appert is serving as head coach, while Matt Herr and Matt Greason are serving as assistant coaches for the 2011 U.S. Under-18 Select Team.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

SVK 3 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 5
USA 2 - 1 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 6

First Period - Scoring: 1, SVK, Kolena (Gríger), 0:32 (pp); 2, SVK, Parobok (Paulovič), 4:10; 3, USA, Cox (Silk, Brady), 12:42; 4, USA, Nanne (O'Regan, Lappin), 14:43; 5, SVK, Šohajda (unassisted), 18:42 (pp). Penalties: USA, Silk (boarding), 0:28; USA, Silk (head-butting, misconduct), 15:24; USA, Wade (hooking), 17:12; USA, Galchenyuk (misconduct), 19:01; USA, Hinostroza (slashing), 19:01.

Second Period - Scoring: 6, SVK, Šohajda (Dano), 15:53 (pp); 7, USA, Masters (Hinostroza), 17:25 (pp). Penalties: SVK, Paulovič (holding), 8:00; USA, Hanson (kneeing, game misconduct), 12:03; SVK, Gríger (tripping), 13:30; USA, Team (too-many-men), 15:26; SVK, Valjent (roughing), 17:10.

Third Period - Scoring: 8, SVK, Lunter (Štrauch), 13:58; 9, USA, Masters (Doherty, Galchenyuk), 16:59 (pp); 10, USA, Galchenyuk (Hinostroza, Doherty), 17:54. Penalties: USA, Kurker (interference), 6:41; SVK, Luža (holding), 16:22.

Overtime Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: None.

Shootout - USA, Galchenyuk (goal); SVK, Dano (no goal); USA, Masters (goal); SVK, Griger (no goal).

Shots by Period
1 2 3 OT SO Total
SVK 11 10 8 2 0 31
USA 11 11 10 2 1 35

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 OT SO Total
SVK, Sabol 65:00 11-9 11-10 10-8 2-2 1-0 35-29
USA, Petersen 20:00 11-8 -- -- -- -- 11-8
USA, Gillies 45:00 -- 10-9 8-7 2-2 0-0 20-18

Power Play: SVK 3-7; USA 2-3
Penalties: SVK 4-8; USA 10-57

Team USA 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Schedule
August 8-13 • Breclav, Czech Republic & Piestany, Slovakia

Date Opponent Location
Time (EDT)/Result

Sat., Aug. 6 Czech Republic* Breclav W, 5-3
Mon., Aug. 8 Finland Piestany L, 3-6
Tues., Aug. 9 Russia Piestany OTW, 5-4
Wed., Aug. 10 Slovakia Piestany OTW, 6-5
Fri., Aug. 12 5th Place Game TBD TBD

*exhibition

U.S. Under-17 Select Team Edges Germany, 4-2,
at 2011 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament

Team USA Improves to Perfect 2-0-0-0 at Tournament

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The U.S. Under-17 Select Team jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Germany and held on for a 4-2 victory in its second game of the 2011 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

Gabe Guertler (Plantation, Fla.) logged a goal and an assist in the contest, as Team USA improved to a perfect 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at the tournament.

"The goaltending was outstanding for both teams in tonight's game," said Bob Corkum, head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Select Team. "It was a hard-fought battle that came right down to the wire."

Team USA got on the scoreboard first with a power-play goal by Adam Erne (North Branford, Conn.) at 14:49 of the opening period. Three minutes later, Ryan Siroky (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) posted another power-play goal to increase the U.S. advantage to 2-0. But Germany cut Team USA's lead in half with its own power-play goal with less than 90 seconds remaining in the frame.

The U.S. regained its two-goal advantage 14 minutes into the second period on a goal by Vinni Lettieri (Excelsior, Minn.). Germany made a comeback bid when it scored a power-play goal early in the third, but Guertler's empty-net tally in the game's final minute secured the win for Team USA.

U.S. goalie Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) made 25 saves in the win, including nine in the third period. Meanwhile, Germany's Hannibal Weitzmann turned aside 43 shots in a losing effort.

The U.S. will next face Slovakia on Friday (Aug. 12), with puck drop slated for 7 p.m. EDT.

NOTES: The U.S. went 2-for-8 on the power play, while Germany was also 2-for-8 with the man advantage ... Gabe Guertler leads Team USA with four points (2-2) in two games, while Adam Erne ranks second on the squad with three points (2-1) ... The U.S. Under-17 Select Team roster can be found here ... The 2011 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament includes teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States competing in a round-robin format ... FASTHockey.com will stream all games from the tournament live and on demand, while live scoring and stats can be found at USAHockey.com ... Tickets for the event can be ordered by calling the Ann Arbor Ice Cube box office at 734-327-9251 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT ... Bob Corkum is serving as head coach, while Pat Mikesch is serving as assistant coach for the 2011 U.S. Under-17 Select Team.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 2 - 1 - 1 - 4
GER 1 - 0 - 1 - 2

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Erne (Guertler, Labosky), 14:49 (pp); 2, USA, Siroky (Vanderwiel), 17:42 (pp); 3, GER, Eisenschmid (Vollmayer), 18:36 (pp). Penalties: USA, Labosky (tripping), 5:45; GER, Scharr (elbowing), 8:00; GER, Sedlar (tripping), 10:18; GER, Schevyrin (holding), 13:42; GER, Eisenschmid (hooking), 16:04; USA, Clifton (elbowing), 18:04.

Second Period - Scoring: 4, USA, Lettieri (Moore), 13:59. Penalties: GER, Gollenbeck (slashing), 2:31; GER, Tiffels (boarding), 3:32; USA, DeAngelo (charging), 16:37; USA, Labosky (tripping), 19:49.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, GER, Tiffels (Gollenbeck), 1:53 (pp). Penalties: USA, Brodzinski (delaying-the-game), 0:52; USA, Schoenborn (unsportsmanlike conduct), 5:56; USA, Clifton (high-sticking), 8:31; USA, Downing (holding), 9:50; GER, Schevyrin (slashing), 10:33; GER, Weitzmann (tripping), 5:22.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
USA 18 17 12 47
GER 10 7 10 27

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Demko 60:00 10-9 7-7 10-9 27-25
GER, Weitzmann 60:00 18-16 17-16 11-11 46-43

Power Play: USA 2-8; GER 2-8
Penalties: USA 8-16; GER 8-16

Team USA 2011 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament Schedule
August 9-13 • Ann Arbor, Mich.

Date Opponent
Time (EDT)/Result

Live Webcast
Sun., Aug. 7 Czech Republic* W, 3-1
Tues., Aug. 9 Czech Republic W, 5-1 FASTHockey.com
Wed., Aug. 10 Germany W, 4-2 FASTHockey.com
Fri., Aug. 12 Slovakia 7 p.m. FASTHockey.com
Sat., Aug. 13 Switzerland 7 p.m. FASTHockey.com
*exhibition

Ayers Named National Team Development Program Goaltending Coach

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Mike Ayers has been named goaltending coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., and will also serve as coordinator of the organization's Warren Strelow National Goaltending Mentor Program it was announced today.

“Mike brings the passion and knowledge to not only help mold our nation's best goaltenders, but to also encourage more young athletes to try the position,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of USA Hockey. "He'll be a terrific addition to our staff."

Ayers spent the last two seasons as the goaltending coach at St. Cloud State University of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Prior to the 2009-10 campaign, he served as goaltending coach for the Iowa Chops, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks.

"It's a great honor and a challenge I look forward to," said Ayers. "Hockey in our country has come a long way and it's exciting to have an opportunity to contribute to its continued advancement through this position."

The Hingham, Mass., native has also served as a regional scout for the NTDP and worked as a regional mentor for the Strelow National Goaltending Program, which is designed to recruit, develop and produce elite goaltenders in the United States.

Ayers was a four-year standout at the University of New Hampshire (2000-04) where he appeared in 102 games and compiled a 58-25-12 record. He was named USA Hockey's College Player of the Year in 2003, the same season he earned American Hockey Coaches Association/JOFA East Second Team All America honors. Ayers went on to compete professionally for four seasons in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and in Europe.

Ayers replaces Joe Exter, who left to become an assistant coach at The Ohio State University after four seasons at the NTDP.

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President Obama still plans to vacation with his family later this month on Martha's Vineyard. A spokesperson for Obama said he doubts the American people would begrudge the president some time off with his family, even in the midst of an economic downturn. (Sorry, but I would. Stay in the office, off the campaign trail and fix the darn country!)

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Pressing on.

Another Rider sell out.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders look to reverse their fortunes Friday night, when they host the Calgary Stampeders for the second time in three weeks at Taylor Field in Regina. The Riders, who lost to the Stamps by 4 points two weeks ago, have added some new players and are hopeful it will pay off with a win. Catch all the action with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri on 620 CKRM and the Rider Radio Network Friday night at 9:00pm EDT. Listen link is on the right side of this blog.

Visit the team's official website at http://www.riderville.com/.

Wanna read some amazing stuff? Go to my friend Rod Pedersen's blog(http://rodepedersen.blogspot.com), choose any story about the Saskatchewan Roughriders, then click on comments. There are some real idiots that inhabit what is the best sports blog in Canada. They gripe about how poorly the team is doing, demand changes be made, then gripe about the changes that are made and how they aren't enough. Just yesterday, some idiot (Sorry, that's the best thing I can call someone too gutless to own what they post by doing so under their actual name) posted how what I say shouldn't carry any weight because I'm from Florida. People who throw around comments like that, or a lot of the other stuff posted anonymously on Roddy's blog, are gutless coward. That's gutless coward, with a capital gutless and a capital coward. Yet, if the Riders rip off three or four wins in a row, they'll also be the first to say how they knew the team would get it together all along. Yeah, right. Well, that's all for what is a rare rant for me. It's just that those morons really grind my grits and I just felt the need to unload. Thanks for listening. Go Riders!

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Today is National Assistance Dog Day.

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By the numbers: Week #7.

Five things to look for during Week #7.

Cauz: Eight players that need to play like stars.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

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

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TBS announced Wednesday that it is not renewing George Lopez's late-night talk show for a third season.

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Climbing on stuff is fun, huh kid?

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Researchers in Peru say they've found the remains of an ancient insect with the body of a spider but with a head like a dog. (Imagine having a dog that caught Frisbees in his web.)

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ST. PETERSBURG -- Just one inning after making a critical baserunning gaffe, Sam Fuld made it up for it in a big way.

With the Rays down by four runs entering the bottom of the ninth, Fuld capped a five-run ninth with a crazy walk-off triple that resulted in a 8-7 victory over the Royals on Wednesday at Tropicana Field.

Read the rest here.

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You wanna smell like Snooki? You soon can. Jersey Shore's Snooki is going to launch her own scent. Care to guess what that will smell like? (Uh....nooooooo!)

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SAN FRANCISCO -- The starting pitcher sets the tone for every game, and as Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after Wednesday's 9-2 loss to the Pirates, left-hander Jonathan Sanchez didn't set a particularly good one.

Sanchez exited after only 4 1/3 innings, having displayed questionable stamina and inconsistent stuff, and the Giants couldn't build on Tuesday's six-run outburst to support their struggling fifth starter in AT&T Park.

Read the rest here.

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If you had to fork over $1,000 right now, would you be able to do so without borrowing money or using your credit card? If so, then a new survey from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling says you're in the minority. According to the survey, 64% of Americans don't have enough cash available to them to cover a $1,000 emergency.

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Today in Elvis History:

1962 - Elvis Presley's album "Pot Luck" hit #4 in the U.S.

1972 - Elvis and Pricilla Presley filed for divorce. They had married in May of 1967.

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Ingersoll Day is today.

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Today in Beatles History:

1965 - The Beatles film "Help!" opened in the New York City.

1966 - The Beatles arrived at Chicago's O'Hare Airport to start their last tour of the U.S.

1968 - The first Beatles single on their own Apple Records was released. The single was "Hey Jude" b/w "Revolution."

1973 - Paul McCartney's single "Live And Let Die" hit #2 in the U.S.

1976 - EMI signed a deal with the Soviet company Melodiya to release the Wings' album "Band On The Run" in the Soviet Union.

1989 - Bruce Springsteen joined Ringo Starr on stage for four songs ("Get Back," "Long Tall Sally," "Photograph" and "With A Little Help From My Friends"). John Candy also made an appearance on tambourine.

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Today is President's Joke Day. (I'm not gonna touch that one.)

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Today in Sports History:

1929 - Babe Ruth hit his 500th career home run.

1951 - The first major league baseball game to be televised in color was broadcast. The Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves 8-1.

1971 - Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins got his 500th and 501st home runs of his major league baseball career.

1984 - Carl Lewis won his fourth gold medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics.

1984 - The Cincinnati Reds honored major league All-Star and Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench by retiring his uniform (#5).

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The first successful silver mill in America began operations on this date in 1860. The mill was in Virginia City, Nevada.

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Coming up:

Tonight:

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Kansas City Royals 12:10pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Florida Marlins 7:10pm EDT

NFL Preseason Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs 8:00pm EDT

CFL Football -- Calgary Stampeders at Saskatchewan Roughriders 9:00pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Zippo 200 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International 2:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees 4:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Florida Marlins 7:10pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Car Series -- Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen at Watkins Glen International 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees 1:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Florida Marlins 1:10pm EDT

Izod Indy Car Series -- MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2:00pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:00pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox 1:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox 7:10pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox 1:35pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at Toronto Argonauts 7:30pm EDT

NFL Preseason Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New England Patriots 7:30pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  8:05pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villenueve 2:30pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  8:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  2:05pm EDT

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That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about us. See you tomorrow.