It's Thursday

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

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Today is October 20th, the 293rd day of 2011. There are 72 days left in the year.

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MTG acquires exclusive NHL distribution rights.

Roenick: Avalanche proving me wrong with fast start.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com.

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So, what are you up to today? For me, it's hangin' out with Jimmy and getting things ready for this weekend's hockey games.

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Tampa, FL. -- Eric Brewer wanted it known he had not had "any kind of incident."

The Lightning defenseman indicated late Wednesday that as far as he was concerned, he would be available for tonight's game with the Islanders and said an MRI exam he had was "possibly" about an injury that had lingered for a while.

"We always try to be on top of things," he said.

Read the rest here.

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Sun Sports is running an "Inside the Lightning" marathon. Jimmy and I think it's pretty cool.

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National Team Development Program Weekly Update

Under-18 Team Begins USHL Season Friday; Under-17 Team Faces Youngstown Saturday

U17 TEAM FACES YOUNGSTOWN: The U.S. National Under-17 Team fell to the Indiana Ice in its only contest of the weekend. After starting the season earning three of four points, Team USA has dropped three straight and will look to rebound when it faces Youngstown on Saturday (Oct. 22). Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. ET at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The U.S. won the previous matchup with the Phantoms, 10-3, on Sept. 30 in Ann Arbor.

U18 TEAM BEGINS USHL SEASON FRIDAY: The U.S. National Under-18 Team will begin the United States Hockey League regular season starting on Friday (Oct. 21) night against defending league champion Dubuque Fighting Saints. The action begins at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. On Saturday (Oct. 22), the U.S. faces the Des Moines Buccaneers at 7:00 p.m. ET in Ann Arbor. Team USA's previous five matchups were against collegiate opponents, going 2-3-0 in that span.

U18'S WIN PAIR OF COLLEGIATE GAMES: Stefan Matteau (Chicago, Ill.) and Jacob Trouba (Rochester, Mich.) each scored one goal as the U.S. National Under-18 Team earned a 2-1 victory over the University of Vermont at the Gutterson Fieldhouse on Oct. 14. Collin Olson (Apple Valley, Minn.) stopped 20 of 21 shots to give Team USA its first victory over a collegiate team this season. The following night (Oct. 15), Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) made 26 saves as the U.S. National Under-18 Team shutout Plattsburgh State University, 2-0, at the Stafford Ice Rink. Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Nikolas Olsson (Escondido, Calif.) netted one goal each to pace the U.S. in victory.

U17'S FALL TO ICE IN THIRD STRAIGHT GAME: Luke Voltin (Blaine, Minn.) scored the lone goal as the U.S. National Under-17 Team fell, 4-1, to the Indiana Ice at the Pepsi Coliseum on Oct. 15. It was the third-straight game between the two teams, with the Ice winning each contest.

GRUDEN NAMED ASSISTANT COACH AT NTDP: John Gruden, who played junior hockey in the USHL, college hockey at Ferris State University and went on to a 10-year professional playing career, has been named assistant coach at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., it was announced Monday. Gruden will help guide the U.S. National Under-18 Team in the 2011-12 season.

SATURDAY MARKS BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER: When both the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams take the ice on Saturday (Oct. 22) at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, members of the USA Hockey staff will be selling autographed pucks to help support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Each player on both teams signed game pucks, which will be sold at $15 for one or $25 for two, in pink marker to commemorate the event. All proceeds will benefit charity.

UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Forward Miles Koules recorded three points (1-2) in wins over the University of Vermont (Oct. 14) and Plattsburgh State University (Oct. 15). It marked his first points of the season ... Goaltender Jared Rutledge picked up his third career shutout and his first this season with 25 stops in the 2-0 victory over Plattsburgh State (Oct. 15). The record for most career shutouts at the National Team Development Program is 10, held by Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich./2008-10) ... On Friday (Oct. 21), Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) will play his former team (Dubuque) for the first time since joinging Team USA ... Thanks in part to a strong showing over the weekend against Vermont and Plattsburgh (14-of-15), Team USA improved to .893 on the penalty kill ... Thus far this season, the U.S. is successful 13.5 percent of the time with the man advantage ... Team USA holds a slight edge in total shots (250-245) and goals per game (2.56-2.44) against all opponents to date.

UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Luke Voltin is currently tied for eighth in the United States Hockey League with six points (3-3) in five games. Voltin is also tied for eighth in plus-minus rating at plus-four ... Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) is tied for second in USHL scoring with four goals in five games ... Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) is tied for eighth in the league in assists, collecting four in five games played ... Team USA is tied (Indiana) for the league lead in goals scored with 20. On the flip side, the U.S. has given up the second most goals (22) in five games played within the USHL regular season ... The U.S. power play is clicking at a 23 percent success rate ... Team USA is 33-46 in killing penalties ... The Under-17 Team holds a 258-220 advantage in shots taken per game and scores at a 3.38 goals-per-game clip ... The U.S. won the last matchup against Youngstown, 10-3, as 16 players collected at least one point and seven players recorded multiple-point efforts on Sept. 30 in Ann Arbor.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Michigan Tech University forward Blake Pietila (Brighton, Mich./2009-11) earned Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week honors for Oct. 11. Pietila had two power-play goals and earned one assist in a 4-3 comeback win over American International on Oct. 7 ... Forward Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./2004-06) scored one goal and added three assists as the Chicago Blackhawks rallied from behind to defeat the Winnipeg Jets, 4-3, on Oct. 13 ... Netminder Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y./2001-02) earned his first shutout of the season as the Detroit Red Wings blanked the Vancouver Canucks, 2-0, on Oct. 13 ... Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis./2003-05) had a three point (2-1) night as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Calgary Flames, 3-2, on Oct. 15. The forward is tied for the points lead in the National Hockey League with nine (6-3) and was named the NHL's First Star for games played from Oct. 6 to Oct. 16 ... Forward Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J./2007-09) was named the American Hockey League Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 16. Palmieri had four goals and two assists in two games played for the Syracuse Crunch.

For the complete weekly update, click here.

ABOUT THE NTDP: In 1996, USA Hockey launched a revolutionary new initiative called the National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Celebrating its 15th season of play in 2011-12, the goal of this full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice.

2013 USA Hockey Youth, Girls', High School and Women's
National Championships Sites, Dates Set

Six Cities to Host National Championships Beginning March 20, 2013

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced the dates and locations for the 2013 USA Hockey Youth, Girls', High School and Women's National Championships. Held in six cities across the country, the USA Hockey Youth and Girls' Tier I and Tier II National Championships will be held April 3-7, while the High School National Championship will take place March 20-24 and the Women's National Championships will take place March 22-24.

The full 2013 USA Hockey Youth, Girls', High School and Women's National Championships schedule is below.

2013 USA Hockey Youth National ChampionshipsApril 3-7, 2013

Division	Location	Facilities	Host Association
Tier I All Divisions	Pittsburgh, Pa.	Robert Morris University Island Sports Center	Pittsburgh Hornets
Tier II 14 & Under	Charlotte, N.C.	Extreme Ice Center	Charlotte Metro Hockey
Tier II 16 & Under	Troy, Mich.	Troy Sports Center	Troy Youth Hockey Association
Tier II 18 & Under	Hartford, Conn.	International Skating Center of Connecticut & Champions Skating Center	Greater Hartford CT

2013 USA Hockey Girls' National Championships
April 3-7, 2013

Division	Location	Facility	Host Association
Tier I & Tier II	San Jose, Calif.	Sharks Ice at San Jose	San Jose Jr. Sharks

2013 USA Hockey High School National Championship
March 20-24, 2013

Division	Location	Facility	Host Association
Varsity	Coral Springs, Fla.	Saveology.com Iceplex	Florida Scholastic Hockey League

2013 USA Hockey Women's National Championships 
March 22-24, 2013

Division	Location	Facility	Host Association
All Divisions	San Jose, Calif.	Sharks Ice at San Jose	San Jose Jr. Sharks

Notes: The USA Hockey Youth Tier I National Championships will be divided into 14 & Under, 16 & Under and 18 & Under divisions ... The USA Hockey Girls' Tier I and Tier II National Championships will be divided into 14 & Under, 16 & Under and 19 & Under divisions ... The USA Hockey Women's National Championships will be divided into Senior A, B and C divisions ... Dates and sites for the 2013 USA Hockey Sled Hockey National Championships will be determined following USA Hockey's Winter Meetings in January 2012 ... Dates and sites for the 2013 USA Hockey Adult National Championships will be determined following USA Hockey's Annual Congress in June 2012 ... For full results from last year's 2011 USA Hockey National Championships, as well as information on the upcoming 2012 USA Hockey National Championships, click here.

2011 U.S. Men's Select Team Roster Announced

Team USA to Compete at Deutschland Cup in Munich, Germany


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced the 21-man roster for its 2011 U.S. Men's Select Team that will compete at the Deutschland Cup from Nov. 11-13 in Munich, Germany.

All 21 players on the roster currently are participating in elite European leagues in the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland.

Highlighting the U.S. squad are five players who have U.S. national team experience at multiple International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, including Ben Eaves (Minneapolis, Minn.), who played on the 2002 U.S. National Junior Team and the 2000 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team; Freddy Meyer (Sanbornville, N.H.), who skated with the 2006 U.S. Men's National Team, the 2001 U.S. National Junior Team and the 1999 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team; Robbie Schremp (Fulton, N.Y.), who was a member of two (2005, 2006) U.S. National Junior Teams; Yan Stastny (St. Louis, Mo.), who skated with three (2005, 2006, 2011) U.S. Men's National Teams; and Barry Tallackson (Grafton, N.D.), who played on the 2003 U.S. National Junior Team and the 2001 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team.

Also included on the roster are five alumni of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including forwards Tallackson (1999-2001) and Stephen Werner (Chevy Chase, Md./2000-02); defensemen Andrew Hutchinson (Evanston, Ill./1997-98) and Meyer (1997-2000); and goaltender Chris Holt (Billings, Mont./2002-03).

In addition, Team USA includes five players with previous experience playing for the U.S. Men's Select Team at the Deutschland Cup, including forwards Noah Clarke (La Verne, Calif./2009), Chris Collins (Fairport, N.Y./2009), and Stastny (2003, 2004); defenseman Kyle Klubertanz (Sun Prairie, Wis./2009); and goaltender John Curry (Shorewood, Minn./2007).

For Team USA's full roster, click here.

The U.S. Men's Select Team faces off against Slovakia in its first game on Nov. 11 at 10:15 a.m. EST. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: The U.S. roster includes 13 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders ... One more player will be added to the U.S. roster prior to the start of the tournament ... Fourteen members of Team USA have National Hockey League experience, while 20 played U.S. college hockey ... The 21 players on the U.S. roster represent 12 different states. Minnesota leads the way with four natives on the roster, while California boasts three ... The Deutschland Cup has been held every year since 1987 and will feature teams from Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States ... Team USA has participated in the Deutschland Cup on six occasions (2002-05, 2007, 2009). The U.S. won the tournament in 2003 and 2004, garnered second-place finishes in 2007 and 2009 and finished third in 2005 ... Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations, will serve as general manager of the team. Don Waddell, long-time head coach and general manager in the National Hockey League and International Hockey League, will serve as head coach with Chris Chelios, advisor to hockey operations of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, and Bill Guerin, player development coach of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as assistant coaches ... The following support staff will assist the 2011 U.S. Men's Select Team: Bob Webster, team leader; Scott Aldrich, equipment manager; Stan Wong, athletic trainer; Peewee Willmann, massage therapist; and Mike Shindle, team doctor ... The U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group, comprised of Brian Burke, David Poile, Don Waddell, Ray Shero, Paul Holmgren, Dean Lombardi, and Dale Tallon, was formed in February 2007 and assists USA Hockey in the selection of staff and players for all U.S. Men's National Teams.

Team USA 2011 Deutschland Cup Schedule
November 11-13 • Munich, Germany

Date Opponent
Time (Local/EST)

Fri., Nov. 11 Slovakia 4:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.
Sat., Nov. 12 Switzerland 6:15 p.m./12:15 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 13 Germany 5:15 p.m./11:15 a.m.

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It was cloudy and windy here yesterday, but unlike some other parts of the state, we didn't get any rain. Hurricane season lasts through November, so one eye is always open to the weather forecasts How's the weather where you are today?

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A bright light in a dark season.

Nye: What's next for the Roughriders?

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

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On this date in 1774, the new Continental Congress, the governing body of America’s colonies, passed an order proclaiming that all citizens of the colonies "discountenance and discourage all horse racing and all kinds of gaming, cock fighting, exhibitions of shows, plays and other expensive diversions and entertainment."

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CFL.ca Online Water Cooler: Week #16.

By the Numbers: Week #16.

Streaking Lions put slow start behind them.

Moffat: Calvillo, Alouettes excited to think Pink.

Owens chasing spot in pro-football history.

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

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The U.S. Senate approved the Louisiana Purchase on this date in 1803.

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OSU football commentary: It's pretty amazing how far the Beavers have fallen so quickly.

Visit the official football website by clicking here.

Visit the school's official athletics website by clicking here.

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On this date in 1818, The U.S. and Great Britain established the boundary between the U.S. and Canada to be the 49th parallel.

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The 2011 NFL season is underway. Here's the week six results:

Week 6

Sunday, October 16th

San Francisco 25 at Detroit 19
At Green Bay 24, St. Louis 3
At Atlanta 31, Carolina 17
At Cincinnati 27, Indianapolis 17
At NY Giants 27, Buffalo 24
At Pittsburgh 17, Jacksonville 13
Philadelphia 20 at Washington 13
At Baltimore 29, Houston 14
At Oakland 24, Cleveland 17
At New England 20, Dallas 16
At Tampa Bay 26, New Orleans 20
At Chicago 39, Minnesota 10

Monday, October 17th (All times Eastern)
At NY Jets 24, Miami 6

·Bye: Denver, Tennessee, Kansas City, Arizona, San Diego, Seattle.

Week 7

Sunday, October 23rd

(All times Eastern)
San Diego at NY Jets 1:00 PM
Chicago vs Tampa Bay at Londan, England 1:00 PM
Washington at Carolina 1:00 PM
Atlanta at Detroit 1:00 PM
Seattle at Cleveland 1:00 PM
Denver at Miami 1:00 PM
Houston at Tennessee 1:00 PM
Kansas City at Oakland 4:05 PM
Pittsburgh at Arizona 4:05 PM
Green Bay at Minnesota 4:15 PM
St. Louis at Dallas 4:15 PM
Indianapolis at New Orleans 8:20 PM

Monday, October 24th
Baltimore at Jacksonville 8:30 PM

·Bye: Buffalo, Cincinnati, New England, NY Giants, Philadelphia, San Francisco

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A joint commission ruled in favor of the U.S. concerning a dispute over the boundary between Canada and the District of Alaska on this date in 1903.

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Jimmy and the boys on the couch.

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"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" debuted on NBC radio on this date in 1930.

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American League ALDS (Best of Five -- All times Eastern)

Tampa Bay 9, Texas 0
Texas 8, Tampa Bay 6
Texas 4 at Tampa Bay 3
Texas 4 at Tampa Bay 3 (Texas wins series 3-1)

New York 9, Detroit 3
Detroit 5 New York 3
Detroit 5, New York 4
New York 10 at Detroit 1
Detroit 3 at New York 2 (Detroit wins series 3-2)

National League NLDS (Best of Five -- All times Eastern)

Philadelphia 11, St. Louis 6
St. Louis 5 at Philadelphia 4
Philadelphia 3 at St. Louis 2
At St. Louis 5, Philadelphia 3
St. Louis 1 at Philadelphia 0 (St. Louis wins series 3-2)

Milwaukee 4, Arizona 1
Milwaukee 8, Arizona 4
At Arizona 8, Milwaukee 4
Arizona 10, Milwaukee 6
At Milwaukee 3, Arizona 2 (Milwaukee wins series 3-2)

American League Championship Series (Best of Seven -- All times Eastern)

At Texas 3, Detroit 2
Detroit at Texas PPD, Rain
At Texas 7, Detroit 3
At Detroit 5, Texas 2
Texas 7 at Detroit 3
At Detroit 7, Texas 5
At Texas 15, Detroit 5 (Texas wins 4-2)

National League Championship Series (Best of Seven -- All times Eastern)

At Milwaukee 9, St. Louis 6
St. Louis 12 at Milwaukee 3
At St. Louis 4, Milwaukee 3
Milwaukee 4 at St. Louis 2
At St. Louis 7, Milwaukee 1
St. Louis 12 at Milwaukee 6 (St. Louis wins 4-2)

World Series (Best of Seven -- All times Eastern)

At St. Louis 3, Texas 2 (St. Louis leads 1-0)
Next: Thursday, October 20th Texas at St. Louis
Saturday, October 22nd St. Louis at Texas 8:05pm
Sunday, October 23rd St. Louis at Texas 8:05pm
Monday, October 24th St. Louis at Texas 8:05pm****
Wednesday, October 26th Texas at St. Louis 8:05pm****
Thursday, October 27th Texas at St. Louis 8:05pm****

****if necessary

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Walter Cronkite began hosting "The 20th Century" on this date in 1957. The show aired until January 4, 1970.

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Today in Elvis History:

1955 - Elvis Presley performed at Brooklyn High School in Cleveland. The show was filmed for the documentary "The Pied Piper Of Cleveland - A Day In The Life Of A Famous Disc Jockey."

1956 - Elvis Presley's single "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" hit #74 in the U.S.

1956 - RCA released the single to Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" prior to the movie premiere. The company had received 856,237 advance orders for the single.

1960 - The Elvis Presley film "G.I. Blues" premiered.

1961 - Elvis Presley's single "King Of The Whole Wide World" hit #30 in the U.S.

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How do you kill a blue elephant? With a blue shotgun.

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Today in Beatles History:

1969 - John Lennon released "Cold Turkey," his second solo album.

2008 - A documentary "All Together Now" was released. It showed the making of the Cirque de Soleil show "LOVE."

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How do you kill a pink elephant? Twist his trunk until he turns blue, then kill him with a blue shotgun.

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Today in Sports History:

1916 - A baseball with a cork center was used in a World Series game for the first time.

1936 - The Associated Press released its first weekly college football poll. Minnesota was ranked first.

1963 - Clem Daniels (Oakland Raiders) ran for 200 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-26 victory over the New York Jets.

1965 - Gordie Howe scored two goals in the NHL All-Star game against the Montreal Canadiens. Howe broke the All-Star Game record with this eighth and ninth of his career.

1972 - Pete Rose (Cincinnati Reds) hit a home run off the first pitch from Catfish Hunter (Oakland) in Game 5 of the World Series.

1973 - U.S. President Richard Nixon signed a bill that authorized a national medal to commemorate Jim Thorpe.

1982 - In Moscow, 340 people were crushed to death at a Soviet-Dutch soccer game. Police had herded the fans down an open, icy staircase. The details of the incident were not published in the USSR until seven years later.

1989 - The Houston Cougars ran up 1,021 yards against Southern Methodist University. The final score was 95-21.

1990 - George Steinbrenner was a guest on "Saturday Night Live."

1990 - The Cincinnati Reds won the World Series in four games against the Oakland Athletics.

1993 - The Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies played a World Series game for four hours and fourteen minutes (due to rain) and achieved a total for 29 runs. The Blue Jays won the game 15-14.

1996 - Andruw Jones (Atlanta Braves), nineteen years old, became the youngest player to hit a home run in the World Series. He hit two home runs against the New York Yankees.

1996 - The Tampa Bay Lightning played their first game in the new Ice Palace.

2004 - The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the AL Championship. The Red Sox had been down 3-0 in the series.

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Is it just me, or are there way too many "reality" tv shows? As for me, I like....hmmmm, can't think of one right now.

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Coming up:

Tonight:

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders 7:30pm EDT

Friday --

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders 9:30pm EDT

Saturday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Space Coast Hurricanes 5:15pm EDT

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres 7:00pm EDT

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Space Coast Hurricanes 8:00pm EDT

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Washington State Cougars at Seattle 10:30pm EDT

Sunday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Space Coast Hurricanes 9:30am EDT

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Space Coast Hurricanes 12:15pm EDT

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears at London, England 1:00pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Good Sam Club 500 at Talledega Superspeedway 2:00pm EDT

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That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by, I hope that you'll do so again tomorrow. Thanks again!