It's Thursday

Happy Thursday to you. Here's what's happening....

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Today is December 1st, the 335th day of 2011. There are 30 days left in the year.

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Ducks fire Randy Carlyle, hire Bruce Boudreau.

Hurricanes add MacLean to coaching staff.

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

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Today's Birthdays -- Actor/producer Woody Allen is 76; Actress/singer Bette Midler is 66; TV personality Bob Goen (formerly of Entertainment Tonight) is 57; Comedian/actress Sarah Silverman is 41; Subway spokesman Jared Fogle is 34.

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Detroit, MI. -- It happened early and brought the fans at Joe Louis Arena to their feet on Wednesday night.

It wasn't for a goal scored by the Detroit Red Wings, either – even though each of those in Detroit's 4-2 victory against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning had the same effect.

Read the rest here.

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This is National Pie Day.

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U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster
to Be Announced Monday on NHL Network's Cisco NHL Live

Players to Attend Pre-Tournament Camp in Camrose, Alta.,
Prior to 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The preliminary roster for the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team will be unveiled Monday (Dec. 5) at 5:30 p.m. EST exclusively on the NHL Network's Cisco NHL Live.

The preliminary roster will include a yet-to-be-determined number of candidates who will gather Dec. 16 in Camrose, Alta., for a training camp in preparation for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26-Jan. 5, in Calgary and Edmonton, Alta.

The U.S. National Junior Team's pre-tournament camp will take place Dec. 17-23 in Alberta, Canada. The camp will include practices at the Edgeworth Centre in Camrose, Alta., along with three exhibition games in Red Deer, Camrose and Three Hills, Alta. A full camp schedule is below.

The final 22-player U.S. roster for the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship will be announced on Dec. 22 following Team USA's pre-tournament game against Switzerland on Dec. 21.

NOTES: 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, will serve as head coach of the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team. He will be 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 ... From Aug. 6-13, 45 of the top U.S. under-20 players took part in USA Hockey's National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. For the full roster and camp coverage, click here.

Team USA 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship Pre-Tournament Schedule
Dec. 17-23 • Alberta, Canada

Date Event Location*
Time (MST)

Sat., Dec. 17 Practice Camrose 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Practice Camrose 5 - 6 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 18 Practice Camrose 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Practice Camrose 5 - 6 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 19 Practice Camrose 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 20 Practice Camrose 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Game vs. Russia Red Deer 7 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 21 Practice Camrose 11 - 11:45 a.m.
Game vs. Switzerland Camrose 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 22 Practice Camrose 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 23 Practice Camrose 10 - 11 a.m.
Game vs. Slovakia Three Hills 7 p.m.

National Team Development Program Weekly Update

Under-18 Team Takes Two of Three Against Collegiate Foes, Take on Chicago Next;
Under-17 Team Prepares for Three USHL Games in Three Days

U17 TEAM PREPARES FOR THREE GAMES IN THREE DAYS: The U.S. National Under-17 Team faces three United States Hockey League opponents this weekend. On Friday (Dec. 2), Team USA takes on the Waterloo Black Hawks in a rematch of last Tuesday's (Nov. 22) game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Puck drop is set for 8:05 p.m. ET at Young Arena. The following night (Dec. 3), the Under-17 Team clashes with Des Moines at 8:05 p.m. ET at Buccaneers Arena. The U.S. concludes its weekend schedule with a 4:05 p.m. ET matinee on Sunday (Dec. 4) with the RoughRiders at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

U18 TEAM TAKES ON CHICAGO NEXT: The U.S. National Under-18 Team looks to bounce back after a tough two-game outing against USHL competition on Nov. 18-19. Team USA takes on the Chicago Steel in its only matchup of the weekend at 8:00 p.m. ET at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill.

U18 TEAM TAKES TWO OF THREE AGAINST COLLEGES: Stefan Matteau (Chicago, Ill.) notched two goals, but the U.S. National Under-18 Team was clipped by the University of Maine, 6-4, on Nov. 23 at Alfond Arena. After spending the Thanksgiving holiday with the Black Bears, Team USA returned to the ice on Saturday (Nov. 26) against Colby College. Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill.), Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.) and Patrick Sieloff (Ann Arbor, Mich.) each recorded one goal and one assist, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team held off the Mules, 5-4, at Alfond Rink. The following day (Nov. 27), Sieloff netted the game-winning goal and Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) stopped 24 shots, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team edged Bowdoin College, 2-1, at Sidney J. Watson Arena.

U17 TEAM ADDS SABATINI FOR USHL TRIP: The U.S. National Under-17 Team will welcome a new player on the bus this weekend as it has added forward Michael Sabatini (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) to the roster. The 6-foot-1, 175 pound Sabatini comes to Team USA from the Honeybaked (Mich.) Midget Major program.

USA HOCKEY TO RING BELLS FOR CHARITY: Players from both the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams will be ringing bells in support of the Salvation Army on Monday, December 5. Six locations in Ann Arbor, Mich., will be staffed from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET. Locations include Busch's Fresh Food Market at 2020 Green Road and 2240 South Main Street, J.C. Penney and Macy's at 500 Briarwood Circle, Kroger's at 400 South Maple Road and Hiller's Markets at 3615 Washtenaw Ave.

THE USHL AND FASTHOCKEY: Catch all of Team USA's USHL 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.

UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: U.S. National Under-18 Team forwards Stefan Matteau (Chicago, Ill./3-3--6) and Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif./1-5--6) pace the Team USA offense against Division I and III opponents, with each player recording six points in ten games. Four of Matteau's six points came last weekend when he netted two goals and recorded two assists ... Defenseman Patrick Sieloff (Ann Arbor, Mich.) has now recorded at least one point in each of the last three collegiate contests. Sieloff had two goals and added two assists last week, including the game-winning goal at Bowdoin College on Sunday (Nov. 27) ... Nicolas Kerdiles (Irvine, Calif.) is the leading goal scorer on the U.S. squad, scoring 10 goals in 22 games. Three of the forwards goals have come with the man advantage, while two tallies have been game winners. Riley Barber (Livonia, Mich.) is second with eight total goals ... Seth Jones (Plano, Texas) remains ahead of all other Team USA defensemen in points. The blueliner's 10 points (1-9) include nine assists, which rank tied for second best on the team.

UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) leads the U.S. National Under-17 Team in scoring with 16 points (10-6) in 13 games. The forward is on a three-game point streak in the United States Hockey League, scoring three goals and adding two assists in that span ... J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) is second with 15 points (7-8) in 15 games. Compher has four points (1-3) in his last two USHL games ... Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) is currently riding a five-game USHL point (5-1) streak dating back to Oct. 7. His 12 points (10-2) are tied for third best on the squad along with Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass./7-5--12) ... Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) leads all defensemen on the Under-17 Team with nine points (4-5) ... In goal for the Under-17 Team, Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) is 6-2-1 with a 2.65 goals-against-average and a 89.7 save percentage. Curtis Frye (Northwood, N.H.) is 1-4-1 with a 4.43 goals-against-average and an 84.1 save percentage.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Miami forward Austin Czarnik (Washington, Mich./2008-10) was named Central College Hockey Association's Rookie of the Week for Nov. 28. Czarnik had two assists in a 6-2 win over Providence on Friday (Nov. 25) and added a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over Denver on Saturday (Nov. 26). For his efforts, he was was named to the Denver Cup Classic all-tournament team ... Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis./2003-05), who has a National Hockey League best in goals (16) and points (31), has taken the overall lead in the 2012 NHL All-Star Fan Balloting after two weeks of voting ... Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y./2001-02) is tied-for-first in wins (13) in the NHL. Additionally, the Detroit goalie's 1.87 goals-against-average ranks third among goaltenders ... David Steckel (West Bend, Wis./1998-00) is second in the NHL in faceoff win percentage. The Maple Leafs forward wins 59.4 percent of draws taken ... Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter (Madison, Wis./2001-03) is third in time on ice per game, skating for an average of 26:51 minutes.

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.

U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team Roster for 2012 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship To Be Announced on Twitter
The 22-Player Roster Unveiled Starting at 10 a.m. EST

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey will announce its 22-player U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team roster tomorrow via Twitter (@USAHockey), with one player being unveiled in alphabetical order by position starting with goalies, defensemen and forwards every five minutes beginning at 10 a.m EST.

The U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team will compete in 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation U18 Women's World Championship, Dec. 31-Jan. 7, in Prerov and Zlin, Czech Republic.

Team USA has captured the gold medal in three of the four years the event has been conducted, including last season.

NOTES: Team USA captured gold in each of the first two years of the tournament (2008, 2009) as well as last season (2011). In 2010, the team took home the silver medal ... The IIHF U18 Women's World Championship, being played for the fifth time, includes teams from Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States ... Heather Linstad, head women's ice hockey coach at the University of Connecticut, is the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team for the 2011-12 season and will guide the team in the Czech Republic. She will be assisted by Joel Johnson and Hilary Witt ... To follow the team in the Czech Republic, check out the U.S. Women's National Program blog by clicking here.

Team USA 2012 Women's World Under-18 Championship Schedule
Prerov and Zlin, Czech Republic

Date Opponent Time (Local/EST) Result
Sat., Dec. 31 Russia 5 p.m./11 a.m.
Sun., Jan. 1 Sweden 7 p.m./1 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 3 Czech Republic 7 p.m./1 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 4 Quarterfinal 1 3 p.m./9 a.m.
Quarterfinal 2 7 p.m./1 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 6 Semifinal 1 3 p.m./9 a.m.
Semifinal 2 7 p.m./1 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 7 Bronze-Medal Game 3 p.m./9 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game 7 p.m./1 p.m.

U.S. National Sled Hockey Team Falls to Canada, 3-1,
at 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge

Jones Scores Lone Goal in Team USA Defeat


CALGARY, Alta. - Tim Jones (Mt. Ephraim, N.J.) scored the lone goal for Team USA, as the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team fell to Canada, 3-1, in its final preliminary-round game of the 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challege here tonight at the WinSport Canada Ice Complex.

With the loss, Team USA fell to 2-0-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) overall and finished the preliminary round as the tournament's second seed heading into the semifinals.

"Tonight we had a couple defensive breakdowns that gave Canada an opportunity to score," said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. "But I was pleased with the effort from our guys and we'll look to turn it around tomorrow."

Canada struck first at 5:37 of the first period, marking Team USA's first deficit of the tournament. However, Jones tied the game at 18:29 with his team shorthanded. Team captain Taylor Chance (Hampton Falls, N.H.) went hard to the net, deked Canadaian goaltender Benoit St-Amand and found Jones to his right for an easy tap-in goal.

Despite several high-quality scoring chances on the power play in the second period, including a shot by Brad Emmerson (Amherst, N.Y.) that ringed off the post, Canada tallied the only goal of the frame.

The U.S. outshot Canada, 6-5, in the third period and applied heavy pressure, but was unable to find the back of the net. Canada tacked on an insurance goal with 55 seconds remaining.

Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) made 16 saves in goal for the U.S., while St-Amand made 15 saves for Canada in the win.

The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team will continue tournament play tomorrow (Dec. 1) with a semifinal-round tilt against Norway at 2 p.m. EST. A full schedule is below.

NOTES: Adam Page (Lancaster, N.Y.) was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... The U.S. went 0-for-4 on the power play, while Canada went 0-for-2 with the man advantage ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #WSHC. For the full U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster, click here ... Team USA finished third at last year's World Sledge Hockey Challenge, which took place in April 2011 in London, Ont. ... The IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship will take place this spring in Hamar, Norway ... Jeff Sauer, longtime men's collegiate head coach at the University of Wisconsin and Colorado College, is serving as head coach of Team USA, while Guy Gosselin, regional manager of USA Hockey's American Development Model, is taking on the role of assistant coach. The 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challege features teams from the Canada, Japan, Norway and the United States.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 1- 0- 0- 1
CAN 1- 1- 1- 3

First Period – Scoring: 1, CAN, Gale (Westlake, Bowden), 5:37; 2, USA, Jones (Chace, McKee), 18:29 (sh). Penalties: USA, Jones (roughing), 11:13; CAN, Bridges (interference) 11:17; USA, Salamone (slashing), 16:35.

Second Period – Scoring: 3, CAN, Bowden (Bridges, Westlake), 18:40. Penalties: CAN, Murray (interference), 4:45; CAN, Bridges (holding), 10:41.

Third Period - Scoring: 4, CAN, Dorian (Rempel), 19:05. Penalties: CAN, Dixon (interference), 8:27; USA, Salamone (interference), 9:46; CAN, Bowden (interference), 9:46.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
USA 6 4 6 16
CAN 8 6 5 19

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Cash, 60:00 8/7 6/5 5/4 19/16
CAN, St. Amand, 60:00 6/5 4/4 5/5 16/15

Power Play: USA 0-4; CAN 0-2
Penalties: USA 2-6; CAN 4-10

Team USA 2011 World Sledge Hockey Challenge Schedule
Nov. 27 - Dec. 3 • Calgary, Alta. • WinSport Canada Ice Complex

Date Opponent Time (EST)/Result
Sun., Nov. 27 Norway W, 5-1
Mon., Nov. 28 Japan W, 6-2
Wed., Nov. 30 Canada L, 1-3
Thurs., Dec. 1 Norway (Semifinal) 2 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 3 Third-Place Game 2 p.m.
First-Place Game 6 p.m.

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December is Awareness Month of Awareness Months Month.

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Lancers fire Littler after three seasons

By Steve Beideck
World-Herald Correspondent

Less than three weeks ago, Bliss Littler was helping lead the U.S. Select Team to a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge.

Wednesday evening he was cleaning out his office at the Civic Auditorium, having been relieved of his duties as head coach and general manager of the Omaha Lancers just 19 games into the 60-game United States Hockey League season.

The Lancers are in third place in the USHL's eight-team Western Conference with a 9-8-2 record and just five standings points behind the Lincoln Stars. Omaha's next game is Friday at 7:05 p.m. against the Stars at the Ice Box in Lincoln.

Read the rest here.

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Operation Santa Paws runs today through the 24th.

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Kapp not proud of fight with Mosca.

Campbell: Bittersweet season for Eskimos.

Grey Cup Champion B.C. Lions salute fans.

Cauz: A very early forecast for the 2012 season.

Ticats fire head coach Marcel Bellefeuille.

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

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December is Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month.

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

Week 12

Thursday, November 24th

Green Bay 27 at Detroit 15
At Dallas 20, Miami 19
At Baltimore 16, San Francisco 6

Sunday, November 27th

Houston 20 at Jacksonville 13
At NY Jets 28, Buffalo 24
At Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 20
At Atlanta 24, Minnesota 14
Arizona 23 at St. Louis 20
Carolina 27 at Indianapolis 19
At Tennessee 23, Tampa Bay 17
At Oakland 25, Chicago 20
Washington 23 at Seattle 17
Denver 16 at San Diego 13
New England 38 at Philadelphia 20
Pittsburgh 13 at Kansas City 9

Monday, November 28th

NY Giants at New Orleans 8:30 PM

Week 13

All Times Eastern

Thursday, December 1st

Philadelphia at Seattle 8:20 PM

Sunday, December 4th

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

Monday, December 5th

San Diego at Jacksonville

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You work hard to earn vacation days, but when the time comes to enjoy them, a new study says American workers aren't using up all the time off they've earned for the year. A study by travel site Expedia says the average worker is expecting to earn less days off in 2011, down to 14 from 15, but will only take 12 days vacation.

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Why, yes. I am cute.

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Ron Paul is just one of the many GOP presidential candidates that has a new book out. His is just slightly different from the others. Featuring 28 pages of recipes, "The Ron Paul Family Cookbook' is now on sale and will "warm your kitchen and your heart." The book also includes Carol Paul's "The American Dream" which recounts the history of Ron Paul and his family. The book is available through the candidate's website for just $8.

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - Elvis Presley's single "Any Way You Want Me" hit #27 in the U.S.

1977 - The album "Elvis Country" was certified gold by the RIAA.

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Burger King has changed its french fry recipe. (Now with actual potatoes.)

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Today in Beatles History:

1961 - Brian Epstein met with Decca representatives to discuss a deal for the Beatles.


2001 - Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey presented a tribute to the late Beatle George Harrison on "Saturday Night Live."

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When a squirrel ran up the pants leg of a man in Oregon he tried to shoot it with a .22 caliber rifle. He's in the hospital recovering from a gunshot to the foot.

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Today in Sports History:

1924 - The Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons played the first NHL game to be played in the United States. The game was played at Boston Arena.

1964 - The Houston Colt .45s changed their name to the Astros.

1967 - Seattle was awarded an American League franchise.

1967 - Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record when he missed 22 free throws.

1984 - Doug Flutie won the 50th Heisman Trophy.

1994 - Mike Frier (Seattle Seahawks) was paralyzed in a car accident.

2003 - Bidding began on the baseball that was deflected by a fan in the stands during a Chicago Cubs game. The ball was sold on December 18, 2003, for $106,600 at auction. The foul ball appeared to be headed for the glove of left fielder Moises Alou in Game 6 of the National League Championship series. The Florida Marlins ended up winning the game 8-3. The Cubs then lost Game 7.

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Cookie Cutter Week starts today.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

Empire South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Eels 3:30pm EST

EJHL South Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Eels 6:15pm EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers 7:00pm EST

Sunday --

Empire South Hockey - Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Eels 12:15pm EST

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers 1:00pm EST

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