It's Thursday

Greetings everybody! It's Thursday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is September 1st, the 244th day of 2011. There are 121 days left in the year.

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Wade Belak found dead in Toronto.

Report: Boston's Savard ruled out for '11-'12.

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Today's Birthdays: Actress Lily Tomlin is 72 ... Singer Barry Gibb (Bee Gees) is 65 ... TV host Dr. Phil McGraw is 61 ... Fitness guru Billy Blanks is 56 ... Singer Gloria Estefan is 54 ... ESPN sports journalist Kenny Mayne is 52 ... Former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers is 50 ... TV host Padma Lakshmi is 41.

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U.S. Women's National Team Shuts Out Finland, 6-0,
at 2011 Women's IIHF Twelve Nations Invitational Tournament Series


Team USA Closes Out Tournament with Undefeated 6-0-0-0 Record

VIERUMAKI, Finland -- Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) scored twice to help lead the U.S. Women's National Team to a 6-0 victory over Finland in its final game of the International Ice Hockey Federation Twelve Nations Invitational Tournament Series. With the win, the U.S. improved to a perfect 6-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record in the tournament, having allowed only one goal in six outings.

"I'm very pleased with how we closed out the tournament today against Finland with a convincing victory," said Katey Stone, head coach of the 2011-12 U.S. Women's National Team. "Everyone was ready to go and played determined hockey."

Amanda Kessel (Verona, Wis.) opened the scoring at 14:19 of the first period with her second power-play tally of the tournament. Kendall Coyne (Palos Heights, Ill.) and Brianna Decker (Dousman, Wis.) scored within a minute apart to extend the U.S. lead to 3-0 after one.

Jen Schoullis (Erie, Pa.) struck for her fifth goal of the tournament midway through the second period. Knight then lit the lamp at 16:22 of the middle frame to give the U.S. a 5-0 lead heading into the third.

Knight potted her second goal of the game and 10th of the tournament with less than three minutes remaining to close out the scoring.

Molly Schaus (Natick, Mass.) made seven saves in the first two periods before giving way to Jessie Vetter (Long Grove, Wis.), who turned aside all five shots she faced in the third. Overall, Team USA outshot Finland, 65-12.

NOTES: Brianna Decker was named the U.S. Player of the Game ... Hilary Knight (10-2) and Kelli Stack (4-8) led the team in scoring with 12 points over six games ... Jenny Potter served as the alternate captain for the match-up against Finland ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... Katey Stone, head women's ice hockey coach at Harvard University, will continue to serve as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team for the 2011-12 season. She will be assisted by Mark Hudak, women's ice hockey coach at Dartmouth College ... To follow the team in Finland, check out the blog.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 3 - 2 - 1 - 6
FIN 0 - 0 - 0 - 0

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Kessel (Decker, J. Lamoureux), 14:19 (pp); 2, USA, Coyne (Knight), 17:02; 3, USA Decker (unassisted), 18:02. Penalties: FIN, Rantamaki (hooking), 12:40.

Second Period - Scoring: 4, USA, Schoullis (Kessel), 10:03; 5, USA, Knight (Chesson, Stack), 16:22. Penalties: FIN, Niskanen (hooking), 2:16; USA, Decker (hooking), 6:35; FIN, Lindstedt (body checking),10:38; FIN, Rantamaki (hooking), 16:39.

Third Period - Scoring: 6, USA, Knight (Stack, Pucci), 17:15. Penalties: USA, J. Lamoureux (hooking), 5:29; USA, Duggan (slashing), 12:08.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
USA 23 29 13 65
FIN 3 4 5 12

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Schaus, 40:00 3-3 4-4 0-0 7-7
USA, Vetter, 20:00 0-0 0-0 5-5 5-5
FIN, Vanhatalo, 60:00 23-20 29-27 13-12 65-59

Power Play: USA 1-4; FIN 0-3
Penalties: USA 3-6; FIN 4-8

Team USA 2011 IIHF Women's Twelve Nations Tournament Series Schedule
Vierumäki, Finland • Vierumäki Arena

Date Opponent Result Links
Wed., Aug. 24 Russia W, 12-0 Game Blog
Thurs., Aug. 25 Japan W, 13-0 Game Blog
Sat., Aug. 27 Switzerland W, 11-1 Game Blog
Sun., Aug. 28 Canada W, 4-0 Game Blog
Tues., Aug. 30 Sweden W, 2-0 Game Blog
Wed., Aug. 31 Finland W, 6-0 Game Blog

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September is AKC Responsible Dog Owner's Month.

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Riders add Scott McHenry.

Riders' Dallas Baker learned from one of the best.

Riders' James Patrick makes transition from safety to dimeback.

The Riders are back in action this coming Sunday, September 4th for the annual Labour Day Classic against the league-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Riders, with Ken Miller back at the controls as the teams' Head Coach, look for a reversal of fortune after a disastrous 1-7 start, the worst mark in the CFL. Winnipeg, which went 4-14 last season, enter the game at 7-1, the best record in the league. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm EDT on 620 CKRM and the Rider Radio Network, with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri calling all the action. Listen link is on the right side of this blog. The game can also be seen live in Canada on TSN and online in the U.S. on ESPN3.com.

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

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September is Backpack Safety America Month, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Month, Apple Month, Baby Safety Month, Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month, Hug A Texas Chef Month, International People Skills Month, Library Card Sign-up Month, National Biscuit Month, National Chicken Month, National Coupon Month, National Honey Month, National Potato Month, National Rice Month, National Velociraptor Awareness Month and Pleasure Your Mate Month.

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By The Numbers: Week #10.

Cauz: Dreaming of CFL Fantasy Football.

Ticats confirm new stadium for 2014 CFL season.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

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

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September is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Chili Peppers and Figs Month, College Savings Month, Fall Hat Month, Go Wild During California Wild Rice Month, Great American Low Cholesterol, Low Fat Pizza Bake Month, Gynecology Cancer Awareness Month and Happy Cat Month.

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Head Coach Mike Riley previews the Sacramento State game.

Banker's job a nonstop rush to prepare the defense each week.

The Beavers open their 2012 college football season this Saturday, September 3rd at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, hosting the Sacramento State Hornets. Mike Parker, Jim Wilson and Ron Callan call the action on 860AM KPAM and the Beaver Sports Network, with kickoff set for 4:00pm EDT. Listen link is on the right side of this blog.

Visit the official Oregon State Beavers football website here.

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Did you hear about that Arizona man who fell on his garden shears and drove the handle all the way into his eye socket and down his throat? (The moral of the story is one I live by: Never do yardwork.)

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Now, let's go find something to eat Mommy!

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Self University Week(Linky Link) and International Enthusiasm Week(which actually runs through the 10th) start today.

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ARLINGTON -- Breaking news: "Complete Game" James did not go the distance.

However, while James Shields did not record his 11th complete game of the season Wednesday night, he did manage to post eight scoreless innings to lead a 4-1 Rays win over the Rangers at Rangers Ballpark with 28,034 watching.

By winning, the Rays snapped a two-game losing streak while moving to 74-61 on the season. With the Yankees taking a 9-5 loss to the Red Sox, Tampa Bay moved to within 7 1/2 games of the American League Wild Card leaders.

Read the rest here.

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Keepers at the Milwaukee County Zoo have discovered orangutans love iPads. The apes love looking at video of themselves and other orangutans, and enjoy apps like finger painting. Some of the apps the orangutans are fond of: Virtuoso, Doodle Buddy, Koi Pond, Magic Piano, Fish Farm and Tap Drums.(And in a related story, play books for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on iPads this season. Coincidence?)

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SAN FRANCISCO -- At the very least, the Giants can say they ended the dreadful dog days of August on a high note.

It may not have felt that way in the clubhouse Wednesday morning, after the Giants cut ties with veterans Aaron Rowand and Miguel Tejada by designating them for assignment, activated Pat Burrell and called up Brett Pill. But for all general manager Brian Sabean's talk of turning the page and potentially preparing to develop young players if the National League West crown falls out of reach, the Giants aren't calling it a season just yet -- something they proved with a 4-0 win over the Cubs in AT&T Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Read the rest here.

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Today is Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day, Calendar Adjustment Day, Chicken Boy's Day, Emma M. Nutt Day, National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day and Toy Tips Executive Toy Test Day.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - Elvis Presley shared his success with his family by purchasing his mother a pink Cadillac.

1956 - Elvis Presley recorded the song "Love Me."

1956 - Elvis Presley's single "Hound Dog" hit #2 in the U.S.

1957 - Jimi Hendrix went to see Elvis Presley perform at Sicks Stadium.

1962 - Elvis Presley's single "Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello" hit #55 in the U.S.

1978 - A 10-day Elvis Presley convention began at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.

1979 - The album "Our Memories Of Elvis Volume 2" hit #157 in the U.S.

1990 - The Elvis Presley album "The Great Performances" hit #62 in the U.K.

2003 - The Elvis Presley album "White Christmas" was released. The album contained 25 Christmas songs.

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This duck walks into a bar, and asks the bartender, “Do you have any grapes"? The bartender says, "No we only sell beer here". The duck leaves.

The next day the duck walks back into the bar and asks the bartender, "Do you have any grapes"?
The bartender says, "No I told you we only sell beer, and if you ask me again I'm going to nail your beak to the bar.” So the duck leaves.

The next day the duck walks back into the bar, and asks the bartender “Do you have any nails"? The bartender says "no". The duck asks “Do you have any grapes"?

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Today in Beatles History:

1986 - Paul McCartney released his "Press to Play" LP.

2005 - Ringo Starr published "Postcards from the Boys."

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Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr was found innocent of treason on this date in 1807.

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Today in Sports History:

1906 - Jack Coombs of the American League’s Philadelphia Athletics pitched 24 innings against the Boston Red Sox.

1971 - Danny Murtaugh of the Pittsburgh Pirates gave his lineup card to the umpire with the names of nine black baseball players on it. This was a first for Major League Baseball.

1982 - J.R. Richard returned to major league baseball after a two year absence following a near-fatal stroke.

1998 - Mark McGwire, of the St. Louis Cardinals, hit his 56th and 57th homeruns to set a new National League record. He would eventually reach a total of 70 for the season on September 27.

1999 - Twenty-two of major league baseball's 68 permanent umpires were replaced. The problem arose from their union's failed attempt to force an early start to negotiations for a new labor contract.

2004 - In Colorado, the sexual assault charge against Kobe Bryant was dropped after the victim decided not to participate.

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On this date in 1887, Emile Berliner filed for a patent for his invention of the lateral-cut, flat-disk gramophone. It is a device that is better known as a record player. Thomas Edison made the idea work.

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Coming up:

Tonight:

NFL Pre-Season Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Wisconsin Dells Ducks 11:00am

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs USF Bulls or Florida Eels 4:00pm or 6:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 6:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Great Clips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Wisconsin Dells Ducks 11:00am

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs USF Bulls or Florida Eels 4:00pm or 6:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 1:40pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Baltimore Grand Prix at Streets of Baltimore TBD

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers 4:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 4:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 4:05pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 10:05pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 6:35pm EDT

Thursday --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

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

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Eels 5:15pm EDT

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

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Eels 8:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers 4:05pm EDT

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Junior Blades 4:40pm EDT

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That's all for another day. Thanks for stopping by, I hope that you'll do so again tomorrow. Thanks again!