Saturday, December 31, 2011

It's Saturday













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

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Today is December 31st, the 365th day of 2011. This is the final day of the year.

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NHL announces new 3 P.M. ET start time for Molson Canadian 2012 NHL Alumni game on Dec. 31.

Preliminaries past, Rangers ready for Winter Classic.

'Life is good' as Flyers throughout history reunite.

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

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Today is New Year's Eve.

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Tampa FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Carolina Hurricanes this afternoon at 5:00pm EST.

Read the preview right here.

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Today is Make Up Your Mind Day.

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IOA Joins USA Hockey Family as Official Sponsor

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey announced today that Insurance Office of America (IOA) -- one of the largest commercial insurance brokers in America -- has signed on as an official sponsor of the organization.

"We're excited to welcome IOA to our growing list of sponsors," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, "It's a relationship we look forward to continuing for a long time to come."

"We're delighted to partner with USA Hockey," said John Ritenour, IOA founder and chairman. "There's a lot to like about USA Hockey. IOA has a national presence in professional hockey and we believe that marketing partnerships help grow the game of hockey at all levels across the nation."

About USA Hockey: USA Hockey Inc., founded on October 29, 1937, and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America; helps young people become leaders, sometimes even Olympic heroes; and connects the game at every level while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. With a membership of nearly 600,000 players, coaches, officials and volunteers that span all 50 states, USA Hockey is one of the nation's most prominennt National Governing Bodies. For more information, visit usahockey.com.

About IOA: IOA is a privately held, full-service insurance agency founded in 1988 and is one of the fastest-growing independent agencies in the U.S. It is Florida’s largest privately-held agency; 8th largest privately held agency by Insurance Journal-National. With 28 branch offices from California to Florida, IOA covers the nation. IOA’s Sports & Entertainment Practice Group has marketing partnerships with various sports & entertainment entities such as: the American Hockey League, various NHL, NFL, NBA, NASCAR franchises and most recently with Six Flags. For more information about Insurance Office of America , please call: John Ritenour, Chairman, 1-407-998-4101 or visit www.ioausa.com.

U.S. National Under-17 Team Tripped Up by Russia, 3-2,
in 2012 World Under-17 Challenge

Allen and Fasching Tally One Goal Each in Team USA Loss

WINDSOR, Ont. - Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) and Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) tallied one goal each, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was tripped up by Russia, 3-2, at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge here this afternoon at the WFCU Centre.

"Any loss is tough in a tournament like this," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "We had our chances against a tough Russian team and our focus now turns to Canada West, as every game is important to us."

A quick tally by Russia put the U.S. down by one goal 43 seconds into the first frame. After the goal, Team USA allowed just five shots on net for the rest of the period. The U.S. searched for the equalizer, firing 24 shot on Russian goaltender Nikita Serebryakov in the period. Serebryakov turned aside each shot he faced, however, and Team USA trailed Russia 1-0 heading into the first intermission.

Russia doubled its lead at 4:19 of the middle frame when a loose puck bounced over goaltender Hunter Miska's (North Branch, Minn.) stick while he was outside of the crease looking to make a pass. The puck trickled in front of the vacant net and was tapped in for the lone tally of the second period.

Team USA cut the lead in half on a quick wrist shot by Allen at 1:33 of the final stanza. Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) and Scott Savage (San Clemente, Calif.) collected assists on the play. Russia responded with a goal on a two-on-one odd-man rush to regain its two-goal advantage at 5:42. Fasching made it a one-goal game when he jammed the puck into the goal at 9:32 of the third period with an assist credited to J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.).

Down one score, Allen tore down the ice and clanked the puck of the post with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Still trailing by one, Team USA pulled Miska in favor of the extra attacker. The ensuing attack resulted in another hit post, this time by Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.), but the U.S. could not find the tying goal and fell to Russia, 3-2.

Miska stopped 19 shots in the loss for Team USA, while Serebryakov turned aside 51 of 53 shots in the victory for Russia.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will continue tournament play against Canada West on Sunday (Jan. 1, 2012) at 7 p.m. EST. The game will be held at the Tecumseh Arena in Tecumseh, Ont. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: Hudson Fasching was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... The U.S. went 0-for-8 on the power play, while Russia went 0-for-4 with the man advantage ... Team USA recorded 53 shots on goal, while Russia had 22 ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... The 2012 World Under-17 Challenge includes two pools of five teams. Pool A consists of teams from Canada Atlantic, Germany, Canada Quebec, Canada Ontario and Sweden. Pool B consists of teams from the Czech Republic, Canada Pacific, Russia, Canada West and the United States ... Exclusive videos will be posted on the USA Hockey YouTube channel under the World Under-17 Challenge playlist ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #U17CHAL ... All games during the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be available via live webcast at FASTHockey.com ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams train with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010 that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 0 - 0 - 2 - 2
RUS 1 - 1 - 1 - 3

First Period - Scoring: 1, RUS, Tolchinski (Zadorov), 0:43. Penalties: RUS, Cherepanov (interference), 8:27; RUS, Vorobyov (tripping), 10:35; RUS, Zakarlyukin (hooking), 13:22; USA, Santini (cross-checking), 16:05.

Second Period - Scoring: 2, RUS, Fishchenko (unassisted), 4:19. Penalties: USA, Chatham (slashing), 11:18; RUS, Vorobyov, (roughing-after-whistle), 11:18; USA, Labanc (holding), 14:59; RUS, Serebryakov, (tripping), 15:29; RUS, Barbashev (tripping), 18:09; USA, Thompson (tripping), 18:41.

Third Period - Scoring: 3, USA, Allen (McCarron, Savage), 1:33; 4, RUS, Dikushin (Lysenko), 5:42; 5, USA, Fasching (Compher), 9:32. Penalties: RUS, Lysenko (kneeing), 3:29; RUS, Trubkin (slashing), 14:38; USA, Butcher (tripping), 15:45; RUS, Zadorov (tripping), 18:07.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
USA 24 11 18 53
RUS 6 9 7 22

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Miska, 59:19 6/5 8/7 7/6 22/19
RUS, Serebryakov, 60:00 24/24 11/11 18/16 53/51

Power Play: USA 0-8; RUS 0-4
Penalties: USA 5-10; RUS 9-18

Team USA 2012 World Under-17 Challenge Schedule
Dec. 28, 2011 - Jan. 4, 2012 • Windsor, Ont.

Date Opponent Location
Time (ET)/Result

Wed., Dec. 28* Canada Atlantic (exh.) Vollmer Culture & Rec Complex W, 6-1
Thurs., Dec 29 Czech Republic Vollmer Culture & Rec Complex W, 5-1
Fri., Dec. 30 Russia WFCU Centre L, 2-3
Sun., Jan. 1 Canada West Tecumseh Arena 7:00 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 2 Canada Pacific Tecumseh Arena 7:00 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 3 Semi-Final WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.
Weds., Jan. 4 Bronze Medal Game WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m.
Weds., Jan. 4 Gold Medal Game WFCU Centre 7:00 p.m.
*Pre-tournament game in LaSalle, Ontario.

U.S. National Junior Team Drops 5-2 Decision to the Czech Republic
at IIHF World Junior Championship

Team USA Scores Twice on Power Play in Loss

EDMONTON, Alta. -- The U.S. National Junior Team scored twice on the power play and fired 54 total shots on net, but eventually fell to the Czech Republic, 5-2, this afternoon at Rexall Place.

With the loss, Team USA falls to 1-0-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) overall at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. The U.S. will face Canada tomorrow (Dec. 31) in its final preliminary-round game of the tournament. The game, to be televised on NHL Network U.S., will start at 8:00 p.m. EST.

"I'm extremely disappointed, but am still focused on tomorrow's game," said Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "Our players have a lot of pride, and we will be ready to go tomorrow."

Team USA took a 1-0 lead at 5:14 of the first period on the power play. J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio/Plymouth Whalers) fed a pass from the left circle across the slot to T.J. Tynan (Orland Park, Ill./Univ. of Notre Dame), who tapped the puck into a wide open net for his first goal of the tournament. But the Czech Republic scored to even the score at 1-1 after one period.

Team USA regained a one-goal lead midway through the second when Bill Arnold (Needham, Mass./Boston College) fired home a rebound off of a shot by Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev./Univ. of Denver). The Czech Republic responded once again, however, sending the game into the third period tied, 2-2.

Midway through the third period, Josh Archibald (Brainerd, Minn./Univ. of Nebraska Omaha) earned a penalty shot when he was tripped while driving to the net. Czech Republic goaltender Petr Mrazek made a save on Archibald's penalty shot attempt, however, keeping the game tied, 2-2.

The Czech Republic went on to score three times, including an empty-net tally late, to secure the victory. Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich./Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) made 24 saves, while Mrazek stopped 52 shots in the win.

NOTES: Bill Arnold was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... Team USA finished 2-for-7 on the power play, while the Czech Republic was 0-for-3 with the man advantage ... In other tournament action later today, Sweden will take on Slovakia, Finland will face off against Denmark, and Switzerland will play Latvia. Should Finland defeat Denmark in regulation, the U.S. would finish in fourth place in Group B regardless of tomorrow's outcome against Canada ... Dean Blais, head men's ice hockey coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha, is serving as head coach of the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team. He is assisted by Scott Sandelin, head men's ice hockey coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth; Tom Ward, head ice hockey coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary's School's boys' prep team; and Joe Exter, assistant men's ice hockey coach at Ohio State University ... Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations, is serving as the general manager of Team USA for the third consecutive year. Tim Taylor (Guilford, Conn.), former U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team head coach and longtime Yale University men's ice hockey team head coach, is also serving his third straight year as Team USA's director of player personnel ... The U.S. National Junior Team blog will provide daily updates with game recaps, photos and multimedia content. The blog can be found here ... Use the hashtag #USAWJC to join the conversation on Twitter.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

CZE 1 - 1 - 3 - 5
USA 1 - 1 - 0 - 2

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Tynan (Miller, Arnold), 5:14 (pp), 2, CZE, Filippi (Pribyl, Riha), 12:05. Penalties: CZE, Straka (boarding, game misconduct), 2:21; CZE, Hyka (hooking), 9:08; CZE, Zamorsky (high-sticking, double minor), 18:02.

Second Period - Scoring: 3, USA, Arnold (Zucker, Merrill), 11:50 (pp); 4, CZE, Hertl (unassisted), 14:51. Penalties: USA, Clendening (boarding), 6:07; CZE, Team (too-many-men), 10:50; CZE, Riha (high-sticking), 15:35; USA, Merrill (tripping), 16:26; CZE, Hrbas (interference), 18:11.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, CZE, Holik (Sekac, Krejci), 12:26; 6, CZE, Filippi (Nosek), 17:19; 7, CZE, Holik (unassisted), 18:34 (en). Penalties: USA, Rau (slashing), 4:56; CZE, Riha (tripping, penalty shot), 11:27.

Shots by Period
1 2 3
Total
CZE 6 13 10 29
USA 18 15 21 54

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
CZE, Mrazek 60:00 18-17 15-14 21-21 54-52
USA, Campbell 59:16 6-5 13-12 10-8 29-25

Power Play: CZE 0-3; USA 2-7
Penalties: CZE 9-37; USA 3-6
Officials: Referees - Brent Reiber (SUI), Jyri Petteri Ronn (FIN); Linesmen: Kiel Murchison (CAN), Dmitry Sivov (RUS)
Attendance: 14,733

Team USA 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule
Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 • Alberta, Canada

Date Opponent Location*
Time (MST)/Result

Tues., Dec. 20 Russia^ Red Deer L, 3-6
Wed., Dec. 21 Switzerland^ Camrose W, 7-3
Fri., Dec. 23 Slovakia^ Three Hills W, 5-0
Mon., Dec. 26 Denmark Edmonton W, 11-3
Wed., Dec. 28 Finland Edmonton L, 1-4
Fri., Dec. 30 Czech Republic Edmonton L, 2-5
Sat., Dec. 31 Canada Edmonton 6 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 2 Quarterfinals Calgary TBD
Tues., Jan. 3 Semifinals Calgary TBD
Thurs., Jan. 5 Bronze-Medal Game Calgary 1:30 p.m.
Gold-Medal Game Calgary 6 p.m.
*All games in Edmonton will be played at Rexall Place. All games in Calgary will be played at Scotiabank Saddledome.
^Pre-tournament game

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This is No Interruptions Day.

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Blue Bombers re-sign Logan.

Take a tour of Investors Group Field.

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

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The Universal Hour of Peace is today..

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

Week 16

Thursday, December 22nd

At Indianapolis 19, Houston 16

Saturday, December 24th

Oakland 16 at Kansas City 13
At Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 17
At New England 27, Miami 24
At Cincinnati 23, Arizona 16
At Buffalo 40, Denver 14
At Pittsburgh 27, St. Louis 0
NY Giants 29 at NY Jets 14
Minnesota 33 at Washington 26
At Carolina 48, Tampa Bay 14
At Baltimore 20, Cleveland 14
At Detroit 38, San Diego 10
Philadelphia 20 at Dallas 7
San Francisco 19 at Seattle 17

Sunday, December 25th

At Green Bay 35, Chicago 21

Monday, December 26th

At New Orleans 45, Atlanta 16

Week 17 (Final week of regular season)

All times Eastern

Sunday, January 1st

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

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World zPeace Meditation Day is today.

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So, just how do I rock out on this thing?

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The window tax was imposed in Britain on this date in 1695, which resulted in many windows being bricked up.

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Today in Elvis History:

1955 - Elvis Presley's single "I Forgot To Remember" hit #1 on the U.S. Country chart.

1960 - The album "Elvis' Christmas Album" re-charted at #33 in the U.S.

1966 - Elvis Presley's song "If Every Day Was Christmas" hit #9 in the U.K.

1968 - In the U.K., the TV special "Elvis" aired on BBC2-TV.

1975 - Elvis Presley grossed $816,000 for a single performance in Pontiac, MI.

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The State of Alabama enacted the first dental legislation in the U.S. on this date in 1841.

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Today in Beatles History:

1970 -Paul McCartney filed a suit to dissolve the Beatles.

1971 - The Beatles broke up.

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On this date in 1879, Thomas Edison gave his first public demonstration of incandescent lighting to an audience in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

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Today in Sports History:

1967 - The Green Bay Packers won the National Football League championship game by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 21-17. The game is known as the Ice Bowl since it was played with a wind chill of 40 degrees below zero.

1971 - The NHL announced that it had awarded a franchise to the New York Islanders.

1972 - Roberto Clemente (Pittsburgh Pirates) was killed in a plane crash near Puerto Rico while flying relief supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims.

1984 - ESPN debuted in Hawaii, making it available in all 50 states.

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On this date in 1929, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians played "Auld Lang Syne" as a New Year's Eve song for the first time.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 5:00pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 1:00pm EST (Final game of regular season)

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs 7:00pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators 7:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens 7:00pm EST

Sunday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

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

Friday, December 30, 2011

It's Friday













It's Friday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is December 30th, the 364th day of 2011. There is 1 day left in the year.

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The 7 best NHL Winter Classic jerseys.

Puck Headlines: Jagr rants on media; no fine for Quenneville.

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

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Today is Bacon Day. (Linky Link)

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Tampa FL. -- For the second game in a row, the Tampa Bay Lightning were outshot decisively but managed to come away with a win.

Vincent Lecavalier's goal 8:37 into the third period capped Tampa Bay's comeback from a two-goal deficit as the Lightning rallied to beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 Thursday night at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Although Montreal outshot the Lightning 34-22, the Lightning won their third straight at home and fourth in six games overall.

Read the rest here.

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Today is Falling Needles Family Fest Day.

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U.S. National Under-17 Team Defeats the Czech Republic, 5-1,
in 2012 World Under-17 Challenge Opener

Allen and Compher Nets Two Goals Each in Team USA Victory

LASALLE, Ont. - Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) and J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) netted two goals each, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team defeated the Czech Republic, 5-1, at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge opener here tonight at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex.

"The team benefited from a strong start tonight," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "We hope to build off this win and expect a tough battle tomorrow with Russia."

Team USA cashed in on its first power-play opportunity at 2:49 of the first frame when Compher wristed a shot into the net. Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) found Compher open at the top of the left faceoff circle for the score. Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) also collected an assist on the play. The U.S. doubled its lead when Allen knocked in a feed from Butcher in front of the net. John Hayden (Greenwich, Conn.) created space in the slot before finding Butcher to the left of the goaltender, leaving Allen open for the tally.

Compher flicked in a rebound off a shot from Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) that snuck over the shoulder of Czech netminder Rene Svoboda for Team USA's third score on the night. Before time expired in the frame and while the U.S. was on the power play, Steven Santini (Mahopac, N.Y.) threw a shot on net that trickled past Svoboda, giving the U.S. a 4-0 lead after one period of action. Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake, N.D.) and Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) registered assists on the goal.

Neither team was able to light the lamp in the second period, despite 16 shots on net by Team USA. Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) entered the game and stopped all six Czech Republic shots he faced in the second period. Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) started in goal and played the first 20 minutes, making eight saves in the opening period.

Allen notched his second tally of the night when he broke free from the Czech defense and beat Svoboda with a deke. Dawson Cook (Cadillac, Mich.) delivered the pass that sprung Allen and earned the lone assist. The Czech Republic found the scoresheet at 17:26 of the third frame, but Team USA skated away with a 5-1 victory.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will continue tournament play against Russia on Friday (Dec. 30) at 2 p.m. EST. The game will be held at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ont. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: Evan Allen was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... The U.S. went 2-for-2 on the power play, while the Czech Republic went 0-for-3 with the man advantage ... Team USA recorded 56 shots on goal, while the Czech Republic had 24 ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... The 2012 World Under-17 Challenge includes two pools of five teams. Pool A consists of teams from Canada Atlantic, Germany, Canada Quebec, Canada Ontario and Sweden. Pool B consists of teams from the Czech Republic, Canada Pacific, Russia, Canada West and the United States ... Exclusive videos will be posted on the USA Hockey YouTube channel under the World Under-17 Challenge playlist ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #U17CHAL ... All games during the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be available via live webcast at FASTHockey.com ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams train with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010 that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 4 - 0 - 1 - 5
CZE 0 - 0 - 1 - 1

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Compher (Butcher, Louis), 2:49, (pp); 2, USA, Allen (Butcher, Hayden), 11:47; 3, USA, Compher (Fasching), 17:54; 4, USA, Santini (Thompson, Kelleher), 19:12, (pp). Penalties: CZE, Kampf (hooking), 2:05; USA, Voltin (roughing), 4:13; CZE, Nemecek (tripping), 18:58.

Second Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, Compher (10-minute-misconduct), 15:27; USA, Compher (checking-from-behind), 15:27.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, USA, Allen (Cook), 8:52; 6, CZE, Ceslik (Nemecek), 17:26. Penalties: USA, Labanc (hooking), 3:36.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
USA 25 16 15 56
CZE 8 6 10 24

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Miska, 20:00 8/8 -- -- 8/8
USA, Demko, 40:00 -- 6/6 10/9 16/15
CZE, Svoboda, 60:00 25/21 16/16 15/14 56/51

Power Play: USA 2-2; CZE 0-3
Penalties: USA 4-16; CZE 2-4

Team USA 2012 World Under-17 Challenge Schedule
Dec. 28, 2011 - Jan. 4, 2012 • Windsor, Ont.

Date Opponent Location
Time (ET)/Result

Wed., Dec. 28* Canada Atlantic (exh.) Vollmer Culture & Rec Complex W, 6-1
Thurs., Dec 29 Czech Republic Vollmer Culture & Rec Complex W, 5-1
Fri., Dec. 30 Russia WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 1 Canada West Tecumseh Arena 7:00 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 2 Canada Pacific Tecumseh Arena 7:00 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 3 Semi-Final WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.
Weds., Jan. 4 Bronze Medal Game WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m.
Weds., Jan. 4 Gold Medal Game WFCU Centre 7:00 p.m.
*Pre-tournament game in LaSalle, Ontario.

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On this date in 1853, the United States bought about 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase.

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Who will be #1? CFL.ca’s Top 10 Plays of 2011.

Grey Cup MVC Andrew Harris extends with Lions.

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

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Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" was first performed, at Paignton, Devon, England on this date in 1879.

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

Week 16

Thursday, December 22nd

At Indianapolis 19, Houston 16

Saturday, December 24th

Oakland 16 at Kansas City 13
At Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 17
At New England 27, Miami 24
At Cincinnati 23, Arizona 16
At Buffalo 40, Denver 14
At Pittsburgh 27, St. Louis 0
NY Giants 29 at NY Jets 14
Minnesota 33 at Washington 26
At Carolina 48, Tampa Bay 14
At Baltimore 20, Cleveland 14
At Detroit 38, San Diego 10
Philadelphia 20 at Dallas 7
San Francisco 19 at Seattle 17

Sunday, December 25th

At Green Bay 35, Chicago 21

Monday, December 26th

At New Orleans 45, Atlanta 16

Week 17 (Final week of regular season)

All times Eastern

Sunday, January 1st

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

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Edwin Hubble announced the existence of other galactic systems on this date in 1924.

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Look Jimmy, a rock star guitar!

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California's first freeway was officially opened on this date in 1940. It was the Arroyo Seco Parkway connecting Los Angeles and Pasadena.

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Today in Elvis History:

1957 - The album "Elvis' Christmas Album" hit #1 in the U.S.

1970 - Elvis Presley was given a tour at the FBI's headquarters in Washington, DC.

1970 - "Elvis' Golder Records, Vol. 1" hit #21 in the U.K.

1970 - The Elvis Presley album "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. 1" hit #49 in the U.K.

1971 - Elvis Presley announced that Priscilla was leaving him.

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"Mr. and Mrs. North" debuted on NBC radio on this date in 1942.

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Today in Beatles History:

1970 - Paul McCartney sued the other three Beatles to dissolve the partnership and gain control of his interest.

1999 - George Harrison and his wife were attacked in their home during a robbery. Though, Harrison was stabbed in the chest four times, he and his wife were able to subdue the assailant until police arrived.

2001 - It was announced that the glasses of a John Lennon statue had been stolen in Havana, Cuba. The theft had actually occurred on December 21, 2000.

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On this date in 1953, the first color TV sets went on sale for about $1,175.

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Today in Sports History:

1926 - The Chicago Tribune broke a story that the Detroit Tigers threw a 4-game series to the Chicago White Sox in 1917.

1934 - Two NHL games ended in a scoreless tie. The games were Boston at the New York Rangers and the New York Americans at Detroit.

1954 - The 24-second shot clock was used for the first time in professional basketball.

1961 - Jack Nicklaus lost his first attempt at pro golf to Gary Player in an exhibition match in Miami, FL.

1978 - Ohio State University fired Woody Hayes as its football coach, one day after Hayes punched Clemson University player Charlie Bauman during the Gator Bowl. Bauman had intercepted an Ohio State pass.

1983 - Julius "Dr. J" Erving (Philadelphia 76ers) became the 9th basketball player to reach 25,000 points.

1996 - Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers) became only the second player to win consecutive NFL MVP Awards.

1997 - Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) scored more than 10 points in his 788th consecutive game.

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On this date in 1954, James Arness made his dramatic TV debut in "The Chase". The "Gunsmoke" series didn’t begin for Arness until the fall of 1955.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 5:00pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 1:00pm EST (Final game of regular season)

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs 7:00pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators 7:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens 7:00pm EST

Sunday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

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

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

Thursday, December 29, 2011

It's Thursday













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

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Today is December 29th, the 363rd day of 2011. There are 2 days left in the year.

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Flyers win EA SPORTS NHL 12 Classic simulation.

Snider foundation provides Classic opportunity.

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

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In this space yesterday, we reported the death of Tarzan's sidekick, Cheetah. Now it turns out to quite possibly be a publicity-seeking hoax. Read all about it right here.

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Tampa FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning are on home ice tonight to meet the Montreal Canadiens.

Read the preview right here.

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Today is Part Two of National Chocolate Day.

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Angela Ruggiero Announces Retirement
Four-Time Olympian Represented Team USA More Than Any Other Ice Hockey Player
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Angela Ruggiero, a four-time Olympian and one of the greatest women's ice hockey players in history, officially announced her retirement from the U.S. Women's National Team Program today.

She competed 16 years for the United States and has played more games (256) in a Team USA uniform than any other ice hockey player in the country's history. In total, she finished her career with the U.S. Women's National Team Program having recorded 208 points, including 67 goals and 141 assists.

"I feel honored and privileged to have represented the USA program over the past 16 years," said Ruggiero, who is a native of Simi Valley, Calif., but also spent time growing up in Harper Woods, Mich. "USA Hockey will always be a part of me and I will cherish the experiences and memories with this team. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I am now looking forward to my next career, as well as continuing my work representing the athletes of the world through my roles on the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee."
Ruggiero, 31, a star player on all four U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Teams to date, won a gold medal in 1998 as the youngest member (18 years old) of the team; a silver medal in 2002 where she was named the tournament's top defenseman; a bronze medal in 2006 where she tied for the lead among tournament defensemen with six points (2-4) and was named the tournament's top defenseman for a second time; and another silver medal at the 2010 Olympics where she was named to the media all-star team.
Ruggiero, who was the top-ranked female hockey player in the world by The Hockey News in 2003, represented Team USA in 10 IIHF Women's World Championships (gold-2005, 2008-09, 2011; silver-1997, 1999-01, 2004, 2007). In 2005, she scored the shootout goal that gave Team USA its first-ever gold medal in the IIHF Women's World Championship. She was named the tournament's top defenseman four times (2001, 2004-05, 2008) and earned a spot on the media all-star team on four occasions (2004-05, 2007, 2009).
USA Hockey's Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004, Ruggiero graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in government. She was an NCAA First Team Academic All-American in 2004 and also earned the NCAA's Top VIII Award that year as one of the top eight student-athletes in the entire NCAA.ESPN.com also named her one of the top-16 female athletes in the world in 2004.
Ruggiero accumulated 253 points (96-157) in her four-year career (1998-2000/2002-04) at Harvard to rank sixth all-time at the University and first among defensemen. The four-time NCAA All-American captured the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2004, an honor bestowed annually on the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey. Ruggiero was a finalist for the honor in each of her four collegiate campaigns.
Ruggiero made history on Jan. 28, 2005, when she and her brother, Bill, competed for the Central Hockey League's Tulsa Oilers, becoming the first-ever brother-sister tandem to play in a professional hockey game in North America. In that contest, she also became the first female non-goalie to play in a professional hockey game in North America.
Off the ice, Ruggerio, who earned a master's degree in sport management from the University of Minnesota in January 2011, has inspired the same leadership she created on the ice. The United States Olympic Committee board member was elected (eight-year term) to a highly regarded position as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athlete's Commission in 2010. The commission serves as a consultative body and is the link between active athletes and the International Olympic Committee. She was later appointed to the IOC Evaluation Commission to examine potential host cities for the 2018 Olympic Games and is currently a member of the IOC's Coordination Commission for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, and the IOC Entourage Commission.
In addition, Ruggiero is the founder of the All American Girls' Hockey School; the author of "Breaking the Ice," her inspirational autobiography; and the former director of the New York Islanders' Project Hope - an organization that provides young Chinese athletes with access to educational opportunities. In 2007, she appeared in the sixth season of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" on NBC. Her charitable efforts are far-reaching and include involvement with the ProSports MVP Olympic Heroes Tour, Right to Play, and momsteam.com.
NOTES: Ruggiero met with members of the U.S. Women's National Team Program earlier today in Blaine, Minn., to inform them of her decision to retire ... Ruggiero will participate in a media teleconference tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET to address members of the news media.



Angela





AngelaIIHF



TEAM USA STATISTICS

YearEvent/Team
GP
G
A
PTS
2011World Championship
5
2
1
3
2010Olympic Winter Games
5
3
2
5
2009-10U.S. Women's National Team
20
3
3
6
2009Four Nations Cup
4
0
3
3
World Championship
5
1
1
2
2008-09U.S. Women's Select Team
9
3
11
14
2008Four Nations Cup
4
0
2
2
World Championship
5
0
5
5
2007World Championship
5
1
3
4
2006Four Nations Cup
4
0
2
2
Olympic Winter Games
5
2
4
6
2005-06U.S. Women's National Team
18
6
8
14
2005Four Nations Cup
4
0
0
0
World Championship
5
3
3
6
2004Four Nations Cup
4
1
1
2
World Championship
5
2
5
7
2003Four Nations Cup
4
0
4
4
2002Olympic Winter Games
5
1
3
4
2001-02U.S. Women's National Team
31
12
23
35
2001World Championship
5
2
4
6
2000-01U.S. Women's National Team
35
13
26
39
2000Four Nations Cup
4
2
2
4
Under-22 Series
3
1
2
3
World Championship
5
1
6
7
1999-00U.S. Women's Select Team
2
0
0
0
1999Under-22 Series
3
0
2
2
World Championship
5
1
1
2
1998Olympic Winter Games
6
0
0
0
1997-98U.S. Women's National Team
27
5
11
16
1997Three Nations Cup
4
0
1
1
World Championship
5
0
1
1
1996Pacific Women's Championship
5
2
1
3
TEAM USA TOTALS
256
67
141
208

OTHER STATISTICS

YearTeam
GP
G
A
PTS
2008-09Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
15
7
9
16
2007-08Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
15
8
10
18
2004-05Montreal Axion (NWHL)
13
3
13
16
OTHER TOTALS
43
18
32
50

COLLEGE STATISTICS

YearTeamGPGAPTS
2003-04Harvard University (ECACH)32253055
2002-03Harvard University (ECACH)34295483
1999-00Harvard University (ECACH)29213354
1998-99Harvard University (ECACH)32163551
COLLEGE TOTALS12791152243

U.S. National Junior Team Falls to Finland, 4-1,
at IIHF World Junior Championship

Saad Nets Lone U.S. Goal

EDMONTON, Alta. -- Brandon Saad (Gibsonia, Pa./Saginaw Spirit) scored early in the third period to tie the game, 1-1, but the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team eventually fell to Finland, 4-1, this afternoon at Rexall Place.

With the loss, Team USA moves to 1-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) overall at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. The U.S. will face the Czech Republic on Friday (Dec. 30) in its third preliminary-round game of the tournament. The game, to be televised on NHL Network U.S., will start at 3:30 p.m. EST.

"I was happy to see us come back early in the third period," said Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "But we just couldn't get enough going, and Finland's goalie played well."

After the first two periods, Finland had a 1-0 lead despite Team USA holding a 24-9 shot advantage.

The U.S. tied the score, 1-1, just 19 seconds into the third period. Off of a faceoff win by Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth, Mass./Boston Univ.), Emerson Etem (Long Beach, Calif./Medicine Hat Tigers) located the puck and flicked a centering pass across the slot. The pass connected with Saad, who tipped the puck past Finland goalie Sami Aittokallio.

Finland went on to score three times in the third period, however, to pull away with the victory. U.S. goalie John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kitchener Rangers) made 23 saves, while Finland's Aittokallio stopped 38 shots in the win.

NOTES: Jarred Tinordi (Millersville, Md./London Knights) was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... Team USA finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while Finland was 0-for-4 with the man advantage ... In other tournament action later today, Sweden will take on Switzerland, Canada will face off against the Czech Republic, and Russia will play Slovakia ... NHL Network U.S. will televise all Team USA games in the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship and 15 games total in the event. For the complete broadcast schedule, click here... The U.S. National Junior Team is coming off back-to-back medals in the IIHF World Junior Championship for the first time ever, having earned a bronze medal in last year's event in Buffalo, N.Y., and a gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship in Saskatoon, Sask. ... Dean Blais, head men's ice hockey coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha, is serving as head coach of the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team. He is assisted by Scott Sandelin, head men's ice hockey coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth; Tom Ward, head ice hockey coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary's School's boys' prep team; and Joe Exter, assistant men's ice hockey coach at Ohio State University ... Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations, is serving as the general manager of Team USA for the third consecutive year. Tim Taylor (Guilford, Conn.), former U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team head coach and longtime Yale University men's ice hockey team head coach, is also serving his third straight year as Team USA's director of player personnel ... The U.S. National Junior Team blog will provide daily updates with game recaps, photos and multimedia content. The blog can be found here ... Use the hashtag #USAWJC to join the conversation on Twitter.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

FIN 0 - 1 - 3 - 4
USA 0 - 0 - 1 - 1

First Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: FIN, Hakanpaa (hooking), 9:50; USA, Coyle (slashing), 12:59; FIN, Ma. Granlund (hooking), 13:31; USA, Zucker (slashing), 14:02.

Second Period - Scoring: 1, FIN, Salomaki (Armia), 1:21. Penalties: USA, Tynan (roughing), 6:03; FIN, Riikola (roughing), 6:03.

Third Period - Scoring: 2, USA, Saad (Etem, Coyle), 0:19; 3, FIN, Armia (Mi. Granlund, Ristolainen), 10:53; 4, FIN, Ma. Granlund (Hakanpaa, Pulkkinen), 11:22; 5, FIN, Armia (Donskoi), 16:27. Penalties: FIN, Riikola (holding), 8:54; USA, Gibson (interference), 9:09; USA, Team (too-many-men), 19:41.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
FIN 4 5 18 24
USA 8 16 15 38

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
FIN, Aittokallio 60:00 8-8 16-16 15-14 39-38
USA, Gibson 60:00 4-4 5-4 18-15 27-23

Power Play: FIN 0-4; USA 0-2
Penalties: FIN 4-8; USA 5-10
Officials: Referees - Devin Klein (USA), Brent Reiber (SUI); Linesmen - Kiel Murchison (CAN), Milan Novak (SVK)
Attendance: 14,000

Team USA 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship Schedule
Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 • Alberta, Canada

Date Opponent Location*
Time (MST)/Result

Tues., Dec. 20 Russia^ Red Deer L, 3-6
Wed., Dec. 21 Switzerland^ Camrose W, 7-3
Fri., Dec. 23 Slovakia^ Three Hills W, 5-0
Mon., Dec. 26 Denmark Edmonton W, 11-3
Wed., Dec. 28 Finland Edmonton L, 1-4
Fri., Dec. 30 Czech Republic Edmonton 1:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 31 Canada Edmonton 6 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 2 Quarterfinals Calgary TBD
Tues., Jan. 3 Semifinals Calgary TBD
Thurs., Jan. 5 Bronze-Medal Game Calgary 1:30 p.m.
Gold-Medal Game Calgary 6 p.m.
*All games in Edmonton will be played at Rexall Place. All games in Calgary will be played at Scotiabank Saddledome.
^Pre-tournament game

U.S. National Under-17 Team Downs Canada Atlantic, 6-1, in 2012
World Under-17 Challenge Pre-Tournament Game

Four Goal Second Period Lifts Team USA to Victory

LASALLE, Ont. - A four goal second period lifted the U.S. National Under-17 Team past Canada Atlantic, 6-1, in a pre-tournament game prior to the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge here tonight at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex.

"Tonight's win was an all-around team effort," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-17 Team. "We did a better job of getting pucks on net and traffic in front in the second period, helping contribute to this hard-fought victory."

Team USA and Canada Atlantic skated to a scoreless opening period. The U.S. edged Atlantic in shots on goal, but was unable to solve goaltender Jacob Fancy. Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) also blanked the competition in the first frame as the U.S. and Atlantic entered the first intermission tied 0-0.

J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) scored the first Team USA goal on a wrister at 11:38, shortly after Canada Atlantic switched goaltenders. Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) and Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) collected assists on the tally. Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) tipped a slapshot from Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) past Canada Atlantic's netminder to double the U.S. lead at 16:36. The power-play marker was also assisted by Louis.

The U.S. increased its lead when Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) fired a shot from the slot into the net at 18:43 of the second stanza. Dawson Cook (Cadillac, Mich.) and Clint Lewis (Burnsville, Minn.) earned assists on the goal. Just under a minute later, Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) tipped in a shot from Butcher to give the U.S. a 4-0 lead. Butcher registered his second helper of the night, while Kevin Labanc (Staten Island, N.Y.) collected his first.

Louis scored at 3:53 of the final frame to open a five-goal advantage for Team USA. Canada Atlantic clanked the puck off the crossbar and past U.S. netminder Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) at 13:03, but the U.S. lead would prove insurmountable. Demko made several saves and Luke Voltin (Baline, Minn.) added a late goal for the U.S., as it claimed the victory over Canada Atlantic, 6-1.

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will begin tournament play against the Czech Republic on Thursday (Dec. 29) at 7:00 a.m. EST. The game will be held at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex in LaSalle, Ont. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: Anthony Louis was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... The 2012 World Under-17 Challenge includes two pools of five teams. Pool A consists of teams from Canada Atlantic, Germany, Canada Quebec, Canada Ontario and Sweden. Pool B consists of teams from the Czech Republic, Canada Pacific, Russia, Canada West and the United States ... Exclusive videos will be posted on the USA Hockey YouTube channel under the World Under-17 Challenge playlist ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #U17CHAL ... All games during the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be available via live webcast at FASTHockey.com ... For additional coverage, visit USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Facebook page ... The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams train with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010 that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

ATL 0 - 0 - 1 - 1
USA 0 - 4 - 2 - 6




First Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: ATL, Arsenault (cross-checking), 4:36; USA, Hayden (interference), 19:49.

Second Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Compher (Louis, Fasching), 11:38; 2, USA, Motte (Butcher, Compher), 16:36, (pp); 3, USA, Allen (Cook, Lewis), 18:43; 4, USA, Kelleher (Butcher, Labanc), 19:37. Penalties: ATL, Hodge (tripping), 15:56; USA, Motte (interference), 16:34.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, USA, Louis (Fasching, Compher), 3:53; 6, ATL, Lyle (Donaghey, Murphy), 13:03; 7, USA, Voltin (Labanc, McCarron), 17:39. Penalties: USA, Cook (cross-checking), 7:26; USA, Fasching (roughing), 11:24; ATL, Beaton (roughing), 11:24; USA, Hamilton (10-minute-misconduct), 14:05; USA, Hamilton (checking-to-head), 14:05.



Team USA 2012 World Under-17 Challenge Schedule
Dec. 28, 2011 - Jan. 4, 2012 • Windsor, Ont.

Date Opponent Location
Time (ET)/Result

Wed., Dec. 28* Canada Atlantic (exh.) Vollmer Culture & Rec Complex W, 6-1
Thurs., Dec 29 Czech Republic Vollmer Culture & Rec Complex 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 30 Russia WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 1 Canada West Tecumseh Arena 7:00 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 2 Canada Pacific Tecumseh Arena 7:00 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 3 Semi-Final WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.
Weds., Jan. 4 Bronze Medal Game WFCU Centre 2:00 p.m.
Weds., Jan. 4 Gold Medal Game WFCU Centre 7:00 p.m.
*Pre-tournament game in LaSalle, Ontario.

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For those of you with children in the toddler age like me, what's the silliest thing your child has done since Christmas? Our Jimmy took on of his markers and painted his toenails orange. He's an emerging artist our Jimmy is!

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VANSTONE: Gene Wlasiuk was a unique Rider.

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

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Tick Tock Day is today.

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

Week 16

Thursday, December 22nd

At Indianapolis 19, Houston 16

Saturday, December 24th

Oakland 16 at Kansas City 13
At Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 17
At New England 27, Miami 24
At Cincinnati 23, Arizona 16
At Buffalo 40, Denver 14
At Pittsburgh 27, St. Louis 0
NY Giants 29 at NY Jets 14
Minnesota 33 at Washington 26
At Carolina 48, Tampa Bay 14
At Baltimore 20, Cleveland 14
At Detroit 38, San Diego 10
Philadelphia 20 at Dallas 7
San Francisco 19 at Seattle 17

Sunday, December 25th

At Green Bay 35, Chicago 21

Monday, December 26th

At New Orleans 45, Atlanta 16

Week 17 (Final week of regular season)

All times Eastern

Sunday, January 1st

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

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On this date in 1812, the USS Constitution won a battle with the British ship HMS Java about 30 miles off the coast of Brazil. Before Commodore William Bainbridge ordered the sinking of the Java he had her wheel removed to replace the one the Constitution had lost during the battle.

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Is this for me?

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U.S. President James Polk and signed legislation making Texas the 28th state of the United States on this date in 1845.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - Elvis Presley's single "Old Shep" hit #47 in the U.S.

1956 - Elvis Presley's single "Love Me Tender" hit #22 in the U.K.

1962 - The album "Elvis' Christmas Album" re-charted at #59 in the U.S.

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U.S. President James Polk turned on the first gas light at the White House on this date in 1848.

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Today in Beatles History:

1979 - Wings played on the last night of the "Concerts For The People Of Kampuchea."

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On this date in 1851, the first American Young Men's Christian Association was organized, in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Today in Sports History:

1934 - The first regular-season college basketball game was played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. New York University defeated Notre Dame 25-18.

1937 - Babe Ruth returned to baseball as the new manager of the Class D, DeLand Reds of the Florida State League. Ruth had retired from baseball in 1935.

1961 - Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia Warriors) scored 60 points against the Los Angeles Lakers.

1965 - CBS acquired the rights to the NFL regular-season games in 1966 and 1967, with an option for 1968, for $18.8 million per year.

1984 - Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) scored his 100th point in the 35th game of the season.

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On this date in 1949, KC2XAK of Bridgeport, Connecticut became the first ultrahigh frequency (UHF) television station to begin operating on a regular daily schedule.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens 7:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 5:00pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 1:00pm EST (Final game of regular season)

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs 7:00pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators 7:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens 7:00pm EST

Sunday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

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

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

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

It's Wednesday













It's Wednesday. Here's what's happening....

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

Today is December 28th, the 362nd day of 2011. There are 3 days left in the year.

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Penguins offer no updates on Crosby, Letang.

Ward joins list of 10 NHL goalies to score goal.

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

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Tarzan's sidekick, Cheetah the Chimpanzee has died at the age of 80. Read all about it here.

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Tampa FL. -- Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night was this: it's not how many shots you get, it's how many go into the net. The Lightning parlayed four goals on only 16 shots to hand the Flyers a 5-1 defeat at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Tampa Bay broke open a first period 1-1 tie with three second-period goals, two by Steven Stamkos sandwiched around one score by Steve Downie. The two scores gave Stamkos 22 on the season and tied him with Marian Gaborik for the NHL lead. Downie picked up his fifth goal of the season and was also credited with an assist on the second Stamkos goal.

Read the rest right here.

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Today is Holy Innocents Day.

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VANSTONE: Riders should hire Bobby Dyce and Khari Jones.

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

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National Choclate Day is today AND tomorrow. (My wife will love that!)

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

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

Week 16

Thursday, December 22nd

At Indianapolis 19, Houston 16

Saturday, December 24th

Oakland 16 at Kansas City 13
At Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 17
At New England 27, Miami 24
At Cincinnati 23, Arizona 16
At Buffalo 40, Denver 14
At Pittsburgh 27, St. Louis 0
NY Giants 29 at NY Jets 14
Minnesota 33 at Washington 26
At Carolina 48, Tampa Bay 14
At Baltimore 20, Cleveland 14
At Detroit 38, San Diego 10
Philadelphia 20 at Dallas 7
San Francisco 19 at Seattle 17

Sunday, December 25th

At Green Bay 35, Chicago 21

Monday, December 26th

At New Orleans 45, Atlanta 16

Week 17 (Final week of regular season)

All times Eastern

Sunday, January 1st

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

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Pledge of Allegiance Day is today.

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Help me get my McQueen cars Auntie Meg!

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Westminster Abbey was consecrated under Edward the Confessor on this date in 1065.

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Today in Elvis History:

1954 - The Elvis Presley single "Milkcow Blues Boogie"/"You're a Heartbreaker" was released.

1954 - It was announced that Elvis Presley had signed a management contract with Bob Neal.

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"The Pennsylvania Gazette," owned by Benjamin Franklin, ran an ad for the first issue of "Poor Richard’s Almanack" on this date in 1732.

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The "New Yorker" printed an interview with Beatles manager Brian Epstein. It was the first serious press the Beatles received in the United States.

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On this date in 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to be admitted to the Union.

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Today in Sports History:

1902 - The first professional indoor football game was played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Syracuse defeated the Philadelphia Nationals 6-0.

1918 - Georges Vezina (Montreal Canadiens) became the first NHL goalie to record an assist. The assist came on a goal by Newsy Lalonde.

1958 - The Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants 23-17 in overtime in the NFL Championship.

1975 - The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC divisional playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings with a Hail Mary with only 24 seconds left.

2003 - New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was released from the hospital. The previous day he had fainted at a memorial service.

2003 - Jamal Lewis (Baltimore Ravens) became the fifth NFL player to run for 2,000 yards in a season. He ended the season with 2,029 yards.

2003 - Mike Vanderjagt (Indianapolis Colts) set a new NFL record when he kicked his 41st consecutive field goal.

2003 - James Holmes (Kansas City Chiefs) set an NFL record with his 27th touchdown of the season.

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The U.S. Congress officially recognized the "Pledge of Allegiance" on this date in 1945.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens 7:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 5:00pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 1:00pm EST (Final game of regular season)

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs 7:00pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators 7:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens 7:00pm EST

Sunday --

Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors Empire South and EJHL South teams at EJHL Showcase at N.E.S.C., Marlborough, Massachusetts.

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

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

Oh Baby Vision

How to watch the videos on Oh Baby Vision

In the upper left hand corner, there's three horizontal lines. Click that once or twice and it'll bring up thumbnails of all the movies. Click on the one you want to watch and it'll start. It may play the next one automatically, or you may have to click the little box to bring the thumbnails back up.



Now with the addition of more videos, just use the scroll bar on the right to choose the one you want to watch.



I hope you like 'em