It's Thursday

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

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

Today is October 27th, the 300th day of 2011. There are 65 days left in the year.

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







Home at last, Rangers settle in to new Garden digs.

Lindros: Legion of Doom will reunite at Winter Classic.

Hockey Fights Cancer Month makes big impact.

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

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

Today's Birthdays: Actor John Cleese (Monty Python, two Harry Potter films, three Shrek films) is 72; Singer Lee Greenwood (God Bless the USA) is 69; Actor/director/producer Ivan Reitman (Stripes, Ghostbusters, Dave) is 65; Director/actor Roberto Benigni (Life Is Beautiful) is 59; Singer Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran) is 53; Actress/model/famous ex Marla Maples (was married to Donald Trump) is 48; Blogger Matt Drudge is 45; Singer Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver) is 44; TV personality Kelly Osbourne (Dancing with the Stars) is 27.

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

Buffalo, NY. -- Brett Connolly is staying in the NHL. The Lightning's rookie right wing was told by GM Steve Yzerman after Tuesday's victory over Sabres.

"We feel Brett's shown that he belongs in the NHL and makes our team better," Yzerman wrote in a text message. "So, we've decided to keep him."

The decision came after Connolly's ninth NHL game, the most he could have played without the clock starting on his three-year, $2.7 million contract. The other option was sending him back to Prince George of the junior Western league.

Read the rest here.

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

Roland Macy opened Macy's Department Store in New York City on this date in 1858. It was Macy's eighth business adventure, the other seven failed.

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

National Team Development Program Weekly Update

Under-18 Team Returns to Collegiate Schedule Friday; Under-17 Team Visits Chicago Friday

U17 TEAM VISITS CHICAGO: The U.S. National Under-17 Team looks to build on its victory over Youngstown last weeked when it visits the Chicago Steel on Friday, Oct. 28. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill. The U.S. is looking to avenge a 3-2 shootout loss to the Steel on Oct. 1 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Catch all the action on FASTHockey.com, the premier online destination for ice hockey fanatics from around the world. Visitors can choose from an incredible array of games from national governing bodies, conferences, leagues, teams, tournaments and other events.

U18 TEAM RETURNS TO COLLEGIATE SCHEDULE FRIDAY: The U.S. National Under-18 Team returns to its collegiate schedule after splitting the weekend in United States Hockey League action. Team USA hits the road for a matchup against Adrian College on Friday (Oct. 28) at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs play out of the Arlington Ice Arena in Adrian, Mich. The U.S. then returns home the following night (Oct. 29) for a rare collegiate clash at the home confines of the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Manhattanville College will face off against Team USA at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Under-18 Team is 2-3-0 against college foes this season.

U18'S SPLIT THE WEEKEND: Forward Nikolas Olsson (Escondido, Calif.) scored his second goal of the season, but the U.S. National Under-18 Team was upended by the defending USHL champion Dubuque Fighting Saints, 5-1, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on Oct. 21. Dubuque was propelled by five consecutive goals scored in the games first and second periods. The following night (Oct. 22), Thomas Di Pauli (Woodridge, Ill.) netted one goal and added two assists to pace the Under-18 Team as it earned a 7-2 victory over Des Moines at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Thirteen players recorded at least one point in the victory, the first for the older National Team Development Program team in USHL action.

U17'S OUTLAST YOUNGSTOWN: Defenseman Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake, N.D.) scored twice as the U.S. National Under-17 Team outlasted the Youngstown Phantoms, 5-4, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on Saturday (Oct. 22). The win broke a four game winless streak dating back to Friday, Sept. 30. Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) made 32 saves for the U.S. in the victory.

BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER SUCCESS: Over $800 was raised last Saturday (Oct. 22), as the National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams took to the ice at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Members of the USA Hockey staff sold pucks that players signed in pink to help support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Forward Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.) leads all U.S. National Under-18 Team skaters in game-winning goals after netting the deciding tally on Oct. 22 against the Buccaneers ... Heading into collegiate action Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif.) leads all skaters with three points (1-2) in five games against Division I and III foes. Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif./1-1) and Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill./0-2) each have two points ... Defenseman Gavin Stoick (Portland, Ore.) recorded his first point of the season on a third period goal that helped defeat Des Moines on Oct. 22 in Ann Arbor. Stoick is the first ever Oregon native to play at the NTDP ... Team USA's three power-play goals against Des Moines on Saturday (Oct. 22) helped raise its average to 15.9 percent for the season ... The U.S. holds a slight edge in total shots (310-288) and goals per game (2.82-2.64) against opponents to date.

UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Forwards Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) and Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) have each netted four goals in the United States Hockey League and are tied for eighth place in the league ... Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) continues to accumulate assists and remains among the league leaders in helpers. McCarron's five assists rank him 12th in the USHL ... The defensive duo of Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) and Steven Santini (Mahopac, N.Y.) have each played six games in the USHL and recorded four points (1-3), good for ninth among defensemen ... Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J.) registered the game-winning goal on Oct. 22 against Youngstown, his first point as a member of the NTDP ... Thanks in part to a 3-5 showing against the Phantoms Saturday (Oct. 22), the U.S. power play is clicking at a 25.9 percent success rate ... The Under-17 Team holds a 300-256 advantage in shots taken per game and scores at a 3.56 goals-per-game clip.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Forward Drew Shore (Denver, Colo./2007-09), contributed five points (1-4) in two games for the University of Denver and was recognized as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the week for Oct. 25 ... Toronto Marlies forward Joey Crabb (Anchorage, Alaska/1999-2001) was named the American Hockey League Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 23. Crabb scored three goals and added two assists for five points in two games last week as the Marlies moved into first place in the AHL's North Division (4-1-1-0) ... Northern Michigan University forward Justin Florek (Marquette, Mich./2006-08) was named Offensive Player of the Week in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Florek had a goal and two assists on Friday (Oct. 21) in a 5-3 win over the University of Michigan. He added two assists in a 3-3 tie with the Wolverines on Saturday (Oct. 22) ... Boston College forward Bill Arnold (Needham, Mass./2009-10) scored three times in two games, netting both game-winning goals against the University of Massachusetts and Northeastern University, en route to being named Hockey East Co-Player of the Week.

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.

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

The New York subway system officially opened on this date in 1904. It was the first rapid-transit subway system in America.

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





Reggie Hunt retires a Roughrider.

Roughriders linebacker Jerrell Freeman could be in the running for a CFL award.

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

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

In Southern California a man had to be rescued after he became stuck inside a hollow tree. (He thanked the rescue team with a fresh batch of magically delicious cookies.)

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




Tate prepares to take it up a notch against Als.

Nothing comes easy for defending champs.

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

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

Fred Waller received a patent for water skis on this date in 1925.

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

OSU football: Mannion has all the intangibles as a quarterback.

Visit the official football website by clicking here.

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

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

The first newsreel featuring sound was released in New York on this date in 1927.

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

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

Week 7

Sunday, October 23rd

At NY Jets 27, San Diego 21
Chicago 24 vs Tampa Bay 18 at Londan, England
At Carolina 33, Washington 20
Atlanta 23 at Detroit 16
At Cleveland 6, Seattle 3
Denver 18 at Miami 15
Houston 41 at Tennessee 7
Kansas City 28 at Oakland 0
Pittsburgh 32 at Arizona 20
Green Bay 33 at Minnesota 27
At Dallas 34, St. Louis 7
At New Orleans 62, Indianapolis 7

Monday, October 24th
At Jacksonville 12, Baltimore 7

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

Week 8

Sunday, October 30th

All times Eastern
Arizona at Baltimore 1:00 PM
Minnesota at Carolina 1:00 PM
Jacksonville at Houston 1:00 PM
Miami at NY Giants 1:00 PM
New Orleans at St. Louis 1:00 PM
Indianapolis at Tennessee 1:00 PM
Detroit at Denver 4:05 PM
Washington vs Buffalo at Toronto 4:05 PM
Cincinnati at Seattle 4:15 PM
Cleveland at San Francisco 4:15 PM
New England at Pittsburgh 4:15 PM
Dallas at Philadelphia 8:20 PM

Monday, October 31st

San Diego at Kansas City 8:30 PM

·Bye: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Oakland, NY Jets, Tampa Bay

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

Heinz is coming out with a fancypants ketchup. It's more "upscale" because it uses balsamic vinegar instead of white wine vinegar. It'll cost about a buck more than a regular bottle of Heinz.

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

Jimmy waits to cross the street.

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

Du Pont announced "nylon" as the new name for its new synthetic yarn on this date in 1938.

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

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
Texas 2 at St. Louis 1
St. Louis 16 at Texas 7
At Texas 4, St. Louis 0
At Texas 4, St. Louis 2 (Texas leads 3-2)
Wednesday, October 26th Texas at St. Louis PPD, Rain
Next: Thursday, October 27th Texas at St. Louis 8:05pm
Friday, October 28th Texas at St. Louis 8:05pm****

****if necessary

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

Georgia police are hunting for a Taco Bell customer who threw a Molotov cocktail at the restaurant's drive-thru window after phoning in a complaint that there was not enough meat in the chalupas he had purchased. The bizarre incident occurred around 5am Sunday in Albany, Georgia. The small blaze did not cause injuries or damage to the building.

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

Today in Elvis History:

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

1962 - Elvis Presley's single "Where Do You Come From" hit #99 in the U.S.

1973 - Elvis Presley's single "Raised On Rock" hit #41 in the U.S.

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

"You Bet Your Life," the radio show starring Grouch Marx, premiered on ABC on this date in 1947. It was later shown on NBC television.

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

Today in Beatles History:

1969 - The Beatles song "Something" was certified gold by the RIAA.

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

Bank of America Corp. announced it had agreed to buy FleetBoston Financial Corp on this date in 2003. The deal created the second largest banking company in the U.S.

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

Today in Sports History:

1961 - The American Basketball League began play.

1973 - The New York Islanders beat the New York Rangers for the first time.

1985 - Anthony Carter began a National Football League (NFL) streak of receptions in 100+ consecutive games.

1995 - The contract that finalized the Cleveland Browns' move to Baltimore was signed in secret.

1996 - Bud Adams, owner of the Houston Oilers, announced that he would allow his team to play one final season in Houston before moving the team to Nashville, TN.

1996 - Irving Fryer (Philadelphia Eagles) became the 15th player in NFL history to catch 600 passes in a career.

2002 - The Anaheim Angels won their first World Series. They beat the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the series.

2002 - Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys) became the all-time leading rusher in the NFL when he extended his career yardage to 16,743. He achieved the record in his 193rd game. He also scored his 150th career touchdown.

2003 - The Monday Night Football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins was played in Tempe, Arizona. The game had been moved from San Diego due to wild fires.

2004 - Barry Bonds' 700th home run ball was sold at auction for $804,129.

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

Your thoughts on anything you've read here? By all means, leave a comment.

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

Coming up:

Tonight:

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Nashville Predators 8:00pm EDT

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Hamilton Tigercats 3:00pm EDT

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Knights 5:00pm EDT

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers at Utah Utes 7:00pm EDT

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Knights 7:45pm EDT

Sunday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Knights 8:00am EDT

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Atlanta Knights 10:45am EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway 1:30pm EDT

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

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