It's Saturday

It's Saturday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is November 5th, the 309th day of 2011. There are 56 days left in the year.

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You decide: What was the top play of the week?

'Try Hockey For Free Day' is Saturday across U.S.

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

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It's Sadie Hawkins Day today.

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Tampa, FL. -- Steven Stamkos probably wishes the Chicago Blackhawks came to the St. Pete Times Forum more often.

Stamkos scored three times in the second period Friday night for his second hat trick in three games against the Hawks at home, before Vincent Lecavalier's goal with 54 seconds left in overtime gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 5-4 victory against the Hawks on Friday night.

Read the rest here.

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The "Gunpowder Plot" attempted by Guy Fawkes failed on this date in 1605 when he was captured before he could blow up the English Parliament. Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated every November 5th in Britain to celebrate his failure to blow up all the members of Parliament and King James I.

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Riders lose close one in Miller's final game

Regina, SK. -- Try as they might, the Saskatchewan Roughriders couldn't pull the upset in Ken Miller's last game as coach, dropping a 23-20 decision to the Edmonton Eskimos at Commomwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.

After a scoreless first quarter in which neither team could gain much traction, both struck early in the second. Ryan Dinwiddie found Chris Getlaf flying over the middle for 21 yards and a touchdown, the first passing touchdown for Saskatchewan in 410:10. Chris Milo converted with 1:03 gone, putting the Riders up 7-0. Edmonton would respond quickly. Ricky Ray found Adarius Bowman in stride down the left side for a 71 yard catch-and-run major. Derek Schiavone converted with 2:39 gone and the game was tied, 7-7. The Eskimos took the lead on their next possession. On a drive keyed by a 29 yard romp by Jerome Messam that made him just the seventh Canadian to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season since 1955, Ray found Bowman again, who shed tacklers down the right side, diving to the pylon for a 24 yard major. Schiavone converted again, this time with 7:57 to play, giving Edmonton the 14-7, which they carried into half-time.

Saskatchewan was very impressive on their opening drive of the second half, a possession which saw Chris Getzlaf go over 1,000 yards receiving for the year. Chris Milo capped it with a 27 yard field goal, drawing the Riders within 4, at 14-10, with 11:35 to play in the third. The advantaged grew to 7 about 9 minutes later when Schivone was good on a 36 yard field goal for the Eskimos, giving them a 17-10 lead.

Schiavone connected again, this time from 19 yards out with 9:26 to play in regulation, stretching Edmonton's lead to 20-10. Milo would respond on Saskatchewan's next possession, squeaking one through from 46 yards away, trimming the deficit to 20-13, with 6:59 still to play. The Riders would take their next possession 77 yards in 4 plays, capped by a 20 yard bullet from Dinwiddie to Getzlaf. Milo converted, tying the game 20-20 with 2:51 left in regulation. The Eskimos took the ensuing possession 79 yards in 7 plays, getting a Schiavone field goal, this one from 27 yards, grabbing the lead back for Edmonton with :46 to go. Instead of saving time by taking the ball at the 35, Saskatchewan elected to return a kick instead. Tristan Jackson, looking for a seam, was stripped at the 16, losing the ball at that spot. The Eskimos ran out the clock, holding on to the game and taking sole possession of first in the West with the 23-20 win.

For Edmonton, Ricky Ray was 22-of-32 passing for 305 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, while being sacked once. Kerry Joseph played short yardage situations and threw one incomplete pass. Adarius Bowman caught 10 passes for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns, Jerome Messam ran 13 times for 76 yards and Derek Schiavone kicked 3 field goals and 2 converts. For the Roughriders, Ryan Dinwiddie was 12-of-24 passing for 193 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and 3 sacks. Chris Getzlaf caught 7 balls for 131 yards and 2 majors, Wes Cates ran 14 times for 89 yards and Chris Milo kicked 2 field goals and 2 converts.

Saskatchewan had 17 first downs, 116 yards rushing, 203 passing and 295 net yards. The Eskimos had 15 first downs, 76 yards rushing, 305 passing and 372 net yards. The Riders were penalized 3 times for 25 yards and turned the ball over twice. Edmonton was penalized 7 times for 55 yards, won the time of possession battle 31:35 to 28:25 and turned the ball over just once.

With the win, the Eskimos improve to 11-7, moving 2 points ahead of both BC and Calgary, depending on the outcome of those teams' games this weekend. The Riders, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001, finished the season at 5-13.

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

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On this date in 1844 in California, a grizzly bear underwent a successful cataract operation at the Zoological Garden.

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Nickelback headlines Pepsi Max Halftime Show.

Argonaut Crawford calls it a career.

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

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Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. Before you go to bed tonight move your clocks back one hour.

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The Oregon State Beavers host the #4 ranked Stanford Cardinal today in a Pac-12 game in Corvallis. You can hear the game on 860 KPAM and the Beaver Sports Network, with Mike Parker, Jim Wilson and Ron Callan calling the action. You can also listen online via the listen link on the left side of this blog. The game is also set to be regionally telecast by ABC.

The view from Corvallis: Poyer, defense ready for challenge of stopping Stanford.

The view from Stanford: Stanford football facts for Saturday's game at Oregon State.

Visit the official football website by clicking here.

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

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In the U.S. on this date in 1872, Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote in the presidential election. She never paid the fine.

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

Week 8

Sunday, October 30th

At Baltimore 30, Arizona 27
Minnesota 24 at Carolina 21
At Houston 24, Jacksonville 14
At NY Giants 24, Miami 20
At St. Louis 31, New Orleans 21
At Tennessee 27, Indianapolis 10
Detroit 45 at Denver 10
Buffalo 23, Washington 0 at Toronto
Cincinnati 34 at Seattle 12
At San Francisco 20, Cleveland 10
At Pittsburgh 25, New England 17
At Philadelphia 34, Dallas 7

Monday, October 31st

At Kansas City 23, San Diego 20 (OT)

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

Week 9

Sunday, November 6th

All times Eastern

Miami at Kansas City 1:00 PM
Atlanta at Indianapolis 1:00 PM
Tampa Bay at New Orleans 1:00 PM
NY Jets at Buffalo 1:00 PM
Seattle at Dallas 1:00 PM
Cleveland at Houston 1:00 PM
San Francisco at Washington 1:00 PM
Cincinnati at Tennessee 4:05 PM
Denver at Oakland 4:05 PM
NY Giants at New England 4:15 PM
St. Louis at Arizona 4:15 PM
Green Bay at San Diego 4:15 PM
Baltimore at Pittsburgh 8:20 PM

Monday, November 7th

Chicago at Philadelphia 8:30 PM

·Bye: Detroit, Minnesota, Carolina, Jacksonville

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George B. Selden received the first U.S. patent for an automobile on this date in 1895. He sold the rights for $200,000 four years later.

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More candy for Jimmy!

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The game "Monopoly" was introduced by Parker Brothers Company on this date in 1935.

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Today in Elvis History:

1960 - Elvis Presley's single "It's Now Or Never" hit #1 in the U.K.

1966 - Elvis Presley's single "Spinout" hit #40 in the U.S.

1966 - Elvis Presley's single "All That I Am" hit #18 in the U.K.

1977 - The Elvis Presley double album "In Concert" hit #13 in the U.K.

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U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term in office on this date in 1940.

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The Daily Mirror headlined an editorial "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" The article included this quote - "You have to be a real sour square not to love the nutty, noisy, happy, handsome Beatles. If they don't sweep your blues away, brother, you're a lost cause. If they don't put a beat in your feet, sister, you're not listening."

2005 - The John Lennon album "Live Peace in Toronto, 1969" was released on CD. The show was John Lennon's first solo performance after leaving the Beatles.

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John F. Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives at the age of 29 on this date in 1946.

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Today in Sports History:

1946 - A glass backboard broke shattered for the first time in an NBA game. Chuck Connors of the Boston Celtics was the man that broke it.

1955 - Jean Beliveau (Canadiens) scored the 2nd fastest hat trick. He did it in 44 seconds.

1959 - The American Football League was formed.

1971 - The Los Angeles Lakers began a winning streak of 33 consecutive games.

1981 - Mercury Morris (former Miami Dolphin) was sentenced to 20 years for drug trafficking, conspiracy, and possession of cocaine.

1984 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the NFL had exceeded antitrust limits in attempting to stop the Oakland Raiders from moving to Los Angeles.

1994 - George Foreman, 45, became boxing's oldest heavyweight champion when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round of their WBA fight in Las Vegas, NV.

1995 - Warren Moon (Minnesota Vikings) became the 6th player in NFL history to pass for 40,000 career yards.

1995 - John Elway (Denver Broncos) became the 7th player in NFL history to pass for 40,000 career yards.

1997 - The Milwaukee Brewers became the first major league baseball team to switch leagues during the 20th century. They moved from the American League to the National League.

1999 - Dennis Rodman (NBA) and Carmen Electra were both arrested and charged with battery and domestic violence in a Miami Beach, FL, hotel.

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Ella T. Grasso was elected governor of Connecticut on this date in 1974. She was the first woman in the U.S. to win a governorship without succeeding her husband.

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Coming up:

Tonight:

Nascar Nationwide Series -- O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway 12:55pm EDT

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers vs Stanford Cardinal 3:30pm EDT

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Palm Beach Hawks 5:00pm EDT

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Palm Beach Hawks 8:00pm EDT

Sunday:

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Palm Beach Hawks 9:30pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Palm Beach Hawks 12:15pm EST

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints 1:00pm EST

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway 3:00pm EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers 5:00pm EST

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Wednesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers 7:30pm EST

Thursday --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Valley Jr. Warriors Showcase vs Boston Bandits 10:10am EST

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Valley Jr. Warriors Showcase vs New England Huskies 5:00pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Valley Jr. Warriors Showcase vs TBD TBA

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Wypall 200 at Phoenix International Raceway 3:30pm EST

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Valley Jr. Warriors Showcase vs Valley Jr. Warriors 5:30pm EST

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers at California Golden Bears 6:30pm EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at St. Louis Blues 8:00pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Valley Jr. Warriors Showcase vs TBD TBA

Sunday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Valley Jr. Warriors Showcase vs New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs 10:30am EST

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans 1:00pm EST

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway 3:00pm

EJHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Valley Jr. Warriors Showcase TBA TBD

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