It's Thursday

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

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Today is March 22nd, the 82nd day of 2012. There are 284 days left in the year.

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E.J. Express: Malkin enjoying season for the ages.

Radulov rejoins Preds.

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

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Today's Birthdays: Actor William Shatner is 81; Newsman Wolf Blitzer is 64; Sportscaster Bob Costas is 60; Actress Reese Witherspoon (This Means War, Walk the Line, Legally Blonde Movies) is 36.

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Tampa, FL -- The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Edmonton Oilers tonight.

Read the preview right here.

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Today is As Young As You Feel Day, International Day of The Seal, International Goof-off Day and World Day for Water.

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National Team Development Program Weekly Update

U18's Take Two of Three on Road, Close Out USHL Schedule This Weekend;
U17's Fall to Muskegon, Look to Rebound at Chicago Saturday

U17 TEAM LOOKS TO REBOUND AT CHICAGO: The U.S. National Under-17 Team looks to rebound from a loss last weekend when it travels to The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill. to face the Chicago Steel on Saturday (March 24). Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT. Team USA is looking to snap a seven game losing streak dating back to Feb. 24. The U.S. is also searching for its first win against the Steel this season, having dropped its previous three contests. The last meeting between the two squads saw Chicago score an empty net goal to seal a 3-1 victory over Team USA on March 10 at the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube.

U18 TEAM CLOSES OUT USHL SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND: The U.S. National Under-18 Team faces its final two United States Hockey League tilts this weekend starting on Friday (March 23) at Muskegon. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT at L.C. Walker Arena. The U18's are 2-0-0 (W-L-OTL) against the Lumberjacks this season, having won both matchups in Ann Arbor. The final game on the USHL schedule for the Under-18 Team is on Sunday (March 25). The U.S. will take on the Indiana Ice at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Puck drop is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT. Team USA is 1-1-0 (W-L-OTL) against the Ice this season, having bested Indiana most recently on March 17 in overtime, 5-4.

U17's FALL TO MUSKEGON: Anthony Louis (Winfield, Ill.) scored two goals, but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was defeated by the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 6-2, at L.C. Walker Arena on March 17. Two goals by the Lumberjacks put Muskegon up, 2-0, after one period of play. Muskegon then scored three straight goals in the second stanza before Louis netted his first goal off passes by Miles Koules (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.). Muskegon scored early in the third to ice the game despite Louis' second score, from Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.).

UNDER-18 TEAM TAKES TWO OF THREE ON ROAD: Matthew Lane (Rochester, N.Y.) netted one goal, but the U.S. National Under-18 Team was toppled by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, 4-1, at the Mystique Ice Center on March 15. The following night (March 16), Quentin Shore (Denver, Colo.) notched the game-winning goal, as the Under-18 Team scored a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Steel at The Edge Ice Arena. In the final game of the weekend on March 17, Jared Rutledge (Chicago, Ill.) made 37 saves and Brady Skjei (Lakeville, Minn.) tallied the game-deciding goal, as the Under-18 Team edged the Indiana Ice, 5-4, in overtime at the Pepsi Coliseum.

UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: With two goals on March 17 against Muskegon, forward Anthony Louis tied teammate Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) for the team lead in goals scored versus United States Hockey League foes ... Forward Michael McCarron is on a two game point streak (1-1) dating back to March 10 ... J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.), McCarron and Motte are all tied for first on the Under-17 Team in assists (13) ... Netminder Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.) has 18 wins on the season, just four behind number eight on the all-time single-season win list.

UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Forward Quentin Shore has scored one goal in back-to-back games, including the game-winning score on March 16. Shore now has six game-winning tallies in 22 games played, which is tied for second most in the USHL. He also has five points (4-1) in his last six contests dating back to March 7 ... Forward J.T. Compher is on a two game goal scoring streak and now has four points (3-1) in his last five games ... With a two assist performance against the Indiana Ice on March 17, forward Kyle Osterberg (Lakeville, Minn.) now has four multi-point games this season in the USHL ... Frankie Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) has four points (1-3) in his last four games ... Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (Charlestown, Mass.) has one assist in two consecutive games dating back to March 16 ... Since joining the U18's on March 10, forward Daniel O'Regan (Needham, Mass.) has collected four points (2-2) in five games, including the game-winning goal on March 11 against Chicago ... Defenseman Seth Jones (Plano, Texas) has five points (2-3) in his last six games dating back to March 7 ... Forward Ryan Hartman (West Dundee, Ill.) has one point (1-1) in back-to-back games dating back to March 16.

NTDP ALUMNI UPDATE: Edmonton defenseman Ryan Whitney (Boston, Mass./2000-01) had an assist for the Oilers in a 6-3 win over Nashville on March 20. Fellow blueliner Corey Potter (Mason, Mich./2000-02) registered a plus-2 in the contest ... Anaheim forward Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J./2007-09) scored one goal and added an assist in a 5-3 win over San Jose on March 19. He also recorded a plus-3 rating on the night ... Chicago forward Patrick Kane (Buffalo, N.Y./2004-06) netted the game-winning goal in a 5-2 victory over Washington on March 18 ... Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter (Madison, Wis./2001-03) earned an assist on the game-winning goal versus Anaheim on March 18 ... Colorado defenseman Matt Hunwick (Roseville, Mich./2001-03) notched one goal in a 3-1 win over New York on March 17. Teammate Peter Mueller (Bloomington, Minn./2003-05) earned an assist on the tally ... Toronto forward Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis./2003-05) had two points (1-1), including the game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over Ottawa on March 17 ... Vancouver forward David Booth (Washington, Mich./2001-02) tallied one goal in a 4-3 win over Columbus on March 17. Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson (Faribault, Minn./2003-05) had two points (1-1) in the game on the opposite side of the puck.

For the complete weekly update, click here.

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

THE 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.

U.S. National Sled Hockey Team to Compete in 2012 International Paralympic Committee Sledge Hockey World Championship

Team USA Enters Tournament as Defending World Champion

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team will look to defend its world championship this weekend at the 2012 International Paralympic Committee Sledge Hockey World Championship in Hamar, Norway.

The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team has participated in two previous competitions this season. Team USA captured second place in the World Sled Hockey Challenge in Calgary, Alta., (Nov. 27-Dec. 3) and posted a 1-0-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record against Canada in an exhibition series in Williamsville, N.Y., (Feb. 23-25).

Team USA, which won the event when it was last held in 2009, is in Group A and will face Estonia, Czech Republic and Japan in preliminary-round play. Group B consists of Canada, Italy, Korea and Norway. A full schedule is below.

"We are very excited to travel to Hamar to defend our title," said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. "The competition will be tough and we're looking forward to the challenge of playing teams we've never seen before."

Nikko Landeros (Berthoud, Colo.) leads the U.S. with eight points (4-4) in eight games this season, while Taylor Lipsett (Richardson, Texas) has a team-high five goals in eight games. Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) owns a 4-0-0-4 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record with a 2.81 goals-against average.

NOTE: For a complete 2011-12 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster, including bios, click here ... Taylor Chace (Hampton Falls, N.H.) is serving as a captain for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, while Taylor Lipsett is an alternate ... The IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship was not held in 2011 due to the earthquakes that struck Japan.

Team USA 2012 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship Schedule
Hamar, Norway

Date Opponent Time (Local/EDT)
Sun., March 25 Estonia 9 a.m./4 a.m.
Mon., March 26 Czech Republic 11:15 a.m./6:15 a.m.
Wed., March 28 Japan 11:15 a.m./6:15 a.m.
Thur., March 29 Semifinals TBA
Sun., April 1 Bronze-Medal Game 12 p.m./7 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game 4 p.m./11 a.m.

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Tina Fey & Co. are staging yet another live episode of 30 Rock, this one set to air on Thursday, April 26. 30 Rock's first star-studded live experiment was broadcast in October 2010 during the show's fifth season.

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Superman Returns: Simon extends with Lions.

A legend hangs up his cleats, Doug Brown retires.

100 reasons to get excited for kickoff weekend.

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

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Gutenberg Bible became the first printed book on this date in 1457.

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Jimmy and his playground.

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Despite all of the changes that Facebook users have seen, complained about and resisted, the one thing that that has stayed constant is the poke. Now, thanks to Jasper van Loenen, the Facebook poke has been translated into a real-life poke, so if they want to, your friends can annoy you endlessly all day long. So how does it work? Strap Jasper's device to your arm and every time a friend pokes you, the wifi-enabled contraption will jab away.

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Today in Elvis History

1957 - Elvis Presley's single "All Shook Up" was shipped to retailers.

1965 - Elvis Presley returned to Memphis after finishing filming for "Fun in Acupulco."

1967 - The movie "Easy Come, Easy Go," starring Elvis Presley and Elsa Lanchester, opened in the U.S.

1967 - Elvis Presley began working on "Clambake."

1969 - Elvis Presley's "If I Can Dream" hit #11 in the U.K.

1969 - Filming began on the Elvis Presley movie "Change Of Habit."

2004 - It was announced that DIGGIT Enterntainment Group would develop Elvis-branded applications for mobile devices worldwide.

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A bride-to-be in the UK postponed her wedding after spending $4,700 on chemotherapy for her pet. Lizzie Griffiths says her lizard, a bearded dragon named George, "will always come first" and has forked out so much on the cancer treatment she can't afford to marry fiancé Chris Fisher. Lizzie (age 25) said: "If you love someone enough you support them through whatever they need and Chris knows how much I love George."

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The Beatles' first album, "Please Please Me," was released in the U.K.

1997 - Paul McCartney's birth certificate sold at auction for $84,146.

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Actress Susan Sarandon has confirmed reports suggesting she's dating her young business partner Jonathon Bricklin. Sarandon is 65, Bricklin is 33.

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Today in Sports History:

1888 - The English Football League was established.

1893 - In Northampton, MA, The first women's collegiate basketball game was played at Smith College.

1894 - The first playoff competition for the Stanley Cup began. Montreal defeated Ottawa 3-1.

1904 - A patent was issued for a "baseball catcher."

1923 - Foster Hewitt used a telephone to broadcast the first hockey game. He called the game between Kitchner and Toronto Parkdale.

1934 - The first Masters golf championship began in Augusta, GA.

1964 - Ed Johnston (Boston Bruins) became the last goalie in NHL history to play every minute of every game for an entire season.

1967 - Muhammad Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing to be inducted into the United States Army.

1969 - UCLA beat Purdue to become the first college basketball team to win three straight NCAA titles.

1974 - Peter Revson died in a crash during a practice run for the South Africa Grand Prix.

1979 - The National Hockey League (NHL) voted to accept 4 WHA teams, the Oilers, Jets, Nordiques & Whalers.

1993 - Cleveland Indians pitchers Steve Olin and Tim Crews were killed in a motor boat accident. Bobby Ojeda was also seriously injured.

1994 - The NFL announced the addition of the two-point conversion. It was the league's first scoring change in 75 seasons.

1997 - Tara Lipinski, at 14 years and 10 months, became the youngest women's world figure skating champion.

2002 - Sergei Zubov (Dallas Stars) got his 400th career assist.

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Joseph Priestly invented carbonated water (seltzer) on this date in 1733.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Edmonton Oilers 7:30pm EDT

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Club Royal Purple 300 at Auto Club Speedway 5:00pm EDT

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders 7:00pm EDT

Sunday --

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at Streets of St. Petersburg - 12:30pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway -- 2:30pm EDT

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 7:30pm EDT

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at New Jersey Devils 7:00pm EDT

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Winnipeg Jets 7:00pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway 12:30pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park 2:00pm EDT

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