It's Wednesday

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

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Today is April 25th, the 116th day of 2012. There are 250 days left in the year.

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Tuesday's Scores:

West --

No games.

East --

New Jersey 3, Florida 2 OT (Series tied 3-3)

Wednesday's games:

East --

Washington at Boston (Series tied 3-3) 7:30pm EDT NBCSN

West --

No games

Armstrong, Poile, Tallon up for GM of the Year.

Alfredsson, Lupul, Pacioretty are Masterton finalists.

Thomas expecting to repeat past Game 7 success.

Luongo willing to waive no-trade clause.

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

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Today is: Administrative Professionals Day or Secretary's Day, DNA Day, Hairstylists Appreciation Day, 20-Something Service Day, Malaria Awareness Day, Hug A Plumber Day or Plumber's Day, International Guide Dogs Day, Red Hat Society Day and World Penguin Day.

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Abdelkader, Howard Added to 2012 U.S. Men's National Team

Team USA to Compete in IIHF World Men's Championship, May 4-20, in Finland


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Forward Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon, Mich./Detroit Red Wings/Michigan State Univ.) and goaltender Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Detroit Red Wings/Univ. of Maine) have been added to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship it was announced today by USA Hockey. The tournament is scheduled for May 4-20, 2012, in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.

Abdelkader and Howard are making their debuts on the U.S. Men's National Team, though each player has represented Team USA in the past. Abdelkader played for the U.S. National Junior Team that won the bronze medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship. Howard backstopped the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team to the gold medal at the 2002 IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship and was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2003 IIHF World Junior Championship. Howard also spent two seasons with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program from 2000-02.

The first 17 players for the U.S. Men's National Team were announced on April 11. Forward Joey Crabb defenseman Chris Butler and goalie John Curry have been added since then. Team USA now has 12 forwards, six defensemen and three goaltenders on its roster. The maximum roster size is 25, which includes three goaltenders and 22 forwards and defensemen.

For Team USA's updated roster, click here.

NOTES: Eighteen of the 21 members of Team USA announced played U.S. college hockey ... FIve of the 21 players announced are products of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Joey Crabb, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Jimmy Howard and Jack Johnson ... Thirteen NHL teams are represented on the roster. The Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning have two players apiece ... Scott Gordon is the head coach of the 2012 U.S. Men's National Team. Greg Cronin and David Quinn have been announced as assistant coaches ... The 2012 U.S. Men’s National Team is under the direction of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, led by Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. Other members include NHL general managers Stan Bowman (Chicago), Brian Burke (Toronto), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poile (Nashville), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh) and Dale Tallon (Florida) and Pittsburgh Penguins pro scout Don Waddell ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Tony Rossi, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams ... Sixteen teams will compete at 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship. There will be two groups of eight with one group playing in Helsinki, Finland and the other playing in Stockholm, Sweden. The semifinals and medal games will be conducted in Helsinski ... NBC Sports is scheduled to televise all Team USA games in the 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship. A final broadcast schedule will be available in the near future.

Team USA 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship Schedule
May 4 - 20 • Helsinki, Finland & Stockholm, Sweden

Date Opponent Location
Time (Local/EDT)

Fri., May 4 France Helsinki 12:15 p.m./5:15 a.m.
Sat., May 5 Canada Helsinki 7:00 p.m./12:00 p.m.
Mon., May 7 Slovakia Helsinki 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m.
Thurs., May 10 Belarus Helsinki 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
Fri., May 11 Kazakhstan Helsinki 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
Sun., May 13 Finland Helsinki 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.
Tues., May 15 Switzerland Helsinki 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m.
Thurs., May 17 Quarterfinals Helsinki TBD
Sat., May 19 Semifinals Helsinki TBD
Sun., May 20 Bronze-Medal Game Helsinki 4:00 p.m./9:00 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game Helsinki 8:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.

Arenas: Hartwall Arena (Helsinki); Ericsson Globe (Stockholm)

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A patent was granted for the thimble on this date in 1684.

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Riders add trio of receivers, release Wheelwright.

Bombers' new logo recalls classic look.

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

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The New York and Harlem Railway was incorporated in New York City on this date in 1831.

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May I have a kid's menu and a balloon please?

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Let's see, what's on the agenda for today....Same thing as yesterday....wash dishes, take Jimmy outside to play, make dinner, watch hockey and be thankful for having such a wonderful family. How 'bout you?

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St. Petersburg, FL. -- Lumber and lightning led a 5-0 Rays win over the Angels on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

Rays starter David Price brought the lightning with his 95-mph fastball while completing a shutout en route to claiming his third win of the season. The lineup behind him provided the lumber with four home runs.

In victory, the Rays extended their winning streak to three games, moving to 10-7. They have won five of their last six games and they are 6-1 at Tropicana Field this season.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1901, New York became the first state to require license plates for cars. The fee was $1.

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Cincinnati, OH.-- Matt Cain was nearly out of the first inning. Nearly wasn't quite good enough.

One pitch after Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips tipped a 2-2 Cain delivery foul into the dirt in front of home plate, Phillips drilled a hanging changeup deep into left-center field for a two-run home run that left the Giants playing catchup all night long in an eventual 9-2 loss at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1928, A seeing eye dog was used for the first time.

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Today in Elvis History

1912 - Elvis Presley's mother, Gladys Love Smith, was born.

1933 - Song writer Jerry Leiber was born in Baltimore, MD.

1956 - Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" hit #1.

1959 - Elvis Presley's single "I Need Your Love Tonight" hit #4 in the U.S.

1977 - Elvis Presley recorded a concert in Saginaw, Michigan. Three of the songs later appeared on the album "Moody Blue."

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"Your Family and Mine," a radio serial, was first broadcast on this date in 1938.

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Today in Beatles History:

1964 - The Beatles had 14 singles on the American chart.

1964 - Peter & Gordon's cover of the Beatles' "World Without Love" was #1 in the U.K.

1967 - The Beatles recorded "All You Need Is Love" during a British TV broadcast.

1968 - The Beatles refused to perform for the Queen of England at a British Olympic Appeal Fund show because "Our decision would be the same no matter what the cause. We don't do benefits."

1981 - Wings broke up. Paul McCartney announced that he would carry on as a solo artist.

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W2XBS (now WCBS-TV) in New York City presented the first circus on TV on this date in 1940.

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Today in Sports History:

1901 - The American League debuted at the Chicago Cricket Club. Chicago defeated Cleveland 8-2.

1909 - "Home Run" Baker hit his first and only grand slam.

1945 - Albert B. "Happy" Chandler was unanimously elected baseball commissioner.

1951 - The Soviet Union officially applied to compete in the Olympics.

1956 - Rocky (Brockton Blockbuster) Marciano retired as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world. He had 43 knockouts and 3 decisions to his credit.

1963 - Bob Cousy (Boston Celtics) retired.

1974 - Tampa Bay was awarded the NFL's 27th franchise.

1995 - Darryl Strawberry was sentenced to three years probation, six months of house confinement and a $350,000 fine. Strawberry had avoided prison for tax evasion.

1995 - Petr Nedved (Pittsburgh Penguins) scored the game-winning goal with only 45 seconds left remaining in the fourth overtime period between the Penguins and the Washington Capitals. The game was the third longest in NHL history.

1996 - The Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers combined for the most runs in 26 years. The Twins won with a final score of 24-11.

1997 - Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche) got his 89th career playoff win. He passed Billy Smith for the top spot. The game was also Roy's 10th playoff shutout.

2002 - The NHL suspended Kyle McLaren (Boston Bruins) for an elbow to the face of Richard Zednik (Montreal Canadiens).

2010 - The NHL implemented a new rule that allowed the NHL Hockey Operations Department to review any hit where the head was targeted and/or the principal point of contact for the purpose of Supplementary Discipline.

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The U.S. spacecraft, Ranger, crashed on the Moon on this date in 1962.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds 7:10pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds 12:35pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1:10pm EDT

Friday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Nascar Nationwide Series 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Nascar Sprint Cup Series 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Izod Indy Car Series -- Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 at Sao Paulo, Brazil 12:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 4:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Florida Marlins 10:15pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Florida Marlins 10:15pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Florida Marlins 3:45pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Oakland Athletics 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Milwaukee Brewers 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway 3:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Milwaukee Brewers 4:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Oakland Athletics 7:10pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway 12:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Oakland Athletics 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Milwaukee Brewers 4:05pm 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!