It's Wednesday

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

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Today is May 2nd, the 123rd day of 2012. There are 243 days left in the year.

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Tuesday's Scores:

East --

New Jersey 4, Philadelphia 1 (Series tied 1-1)

West --

No games

Wednesday's Games:

East --

New York Rangers at Washington (Series tied 1-1) 7:30pm EDT NBCSN

West --

Phoenix at Nashville (Phoenix leads series 2-0) 9:00pm CNBC

Blues searching for answers after Game 2 loss.

Capitals prospect Kuznetsov staying in Russia.

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

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Today's Birthdays: Actress Christine Baranski (The Good Wife, The Bounty Hunter, Cybill) is 60; Actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is 40; Soccer celebrity David Beckham is 37; Singer/songwriter Lily Allen is 27.

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U.S. Men's National Team Defeats Sweden, 3-2,
in Tune-Up Prior to 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship

Slater, Okposo Tally Goal and Assist Each in Victory

GAVLE, Sweden - Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich./Winnipeg Jets/Michigan State University) and Kyle Okposo (St. Paul, Minn./New York Islanders/University of Minnesota) each tallied a goal and an assist as the U.S. Men's National Team defeated Sweden, 3-2, in a pre-tournament game prior to the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship. The tournament will run from May 4-20, in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden.

"It was a good first game for our team," said Scott Gordon, head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team. "I liked our pace and we created some quality scoring chances. We look forward to the start of the tournament."

Slater gave the U.S. an early lead at 1:55 of the first period when he netted a pass from Okposo at the top of the crease. Jimmy Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./ Detroit Red Wings/University of Maine) stopped all 19 shots he faced in the opening frame to give Team USA a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

Bobby Ryan (Cherry Hill, N.J./Anaheim Ducks) gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead at 3:32 of the second period with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle that snuck under Sweden goaltender Viktor Fasth. Paul Stastny (St. Louis, Mo./Colorado Avalanche/University of Denver) assisted on the tally. Okposo extended the U.S. lead to 3-0 when he banged home a rebound at 10:40. But Sweden tacked on two goals in the last five minutes of the period to make it a 3-2 game heading into the final frame.

Richard Bachman (Salt Lake City, Utah/Dallas Stars/Colorado College) entered the game in goal midway through the second period and made several saves in the final minutes of action to preserve a 3-2 victory for Team USA.

The U.S. Men's National Team will open tournament play against France on Friday (May 4) at 5:15 a.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network and scoring updates will be available on Twitter. Use the hashtag #2012MWC to join the conversation surrounding the tournament.

NOTES: Bobby Ryan was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... The exhibition game was played in front of a sold out crowd of 7,519 in Lakerol Arena ...  For Team USA's updated roster, click here   ... Twenty of the 23 members of Team USA announced played U.S. college hockey ... Six of the 23 players announced are products of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Joey Crabb, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Jimmy Howard, Jack Johnson and Kyle Palmieri ... Fourteen NHL teams are represented on the roster. The Anaheim Ducks have three representatives, while the 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 will serve 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. The complete television schedule is available here.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 1 - 2- 0- 3
SWE 0 - 2- 0- 2

First Period – Scoring: 1, USA, Slater (Okposo), 1:55. Penalties: USA, Stastny (charging), 4:19; SWE, Ekholm (tripping), 16:27; USA, Ryan (holding), 17:04.

Second Period – Scoring: 2, USA, Ryan (Stastny), 3:32; 3, USA, Okposo (Lasch, Slater), 10:40; 4, SWE, Lundqvist (Pettersson, Ekholm), 16:39; 5, SWE, Larsson (Silfverberg, Jarnkrok), 19:24 (pp). Penalties: SWE, Kruger (tripping), 11:28; USA, Slater (tripping), 17:25; SWE, Hedman (hooking), 18:04; USA, Butler (tripping), 18:42.

Third Period – Scoring: None. Penalties: USA, Bench (too many men on the ice), 15:35.

Shots by Period
1 2 3 Total
USA 10 8 3 21
SWE 19 12 12 43

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Howard, 30:40 19/19 6/6 -- 25/25
USA, Bachman, 29:20 -- 6/4 12/12 18/16
SWE, Fasth, 60:00 10/9 8/6 3/3 21/18

Power Play: USA 0-3; SWE 1-5
Penalties: USA 5-10; SWE 3-6

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

Date Opponent Location Time (Local/EDT)
Television

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

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

Brian Smith Named 2012-13 Brian Fishman Intern

14th Recipient of Prestigious Brian Fishman Internship to Begin Duties in June

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced that Brian Smith (Woburn, Mass.) has been named the recipient of the 2012-2013 Brian Fishman Internship. Smith will work in the communications department at USA Hockey's national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., beginning in June.

The Brian Fishman Internship is awarded annually to an outstanding college graduate pursuing a career in athletic communications. It was established in 1999 in honor of the late Brian Fishman, who served as the manager of communications and marketing for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. He died unexpectedly on Jan. 7, 1999, at age 28.

"Being selected for this internship is a tremendous honor and I sincerely thank the Fishman family and USA Hockey for providing me with this amazing opportunity," said Smith. “I hope that my passion and love for hockey will allow me to carry on Brian’s legacy for years to come, striving to work with the same enthusiasm, integrity and dedication to the sport that Brian displayed.”

Smith’s responsibilities will include assisting with various communication projects, event promotions and publishing initiatives, including working with USA Hockey Magazine.

Smith, who will graduate from Boston College in May, currently works for the Boston Bruins, where he has spent the past two years as a communications intern and as a member of the game night staff. His duties have included writing game recaps and feature stories, assisting with media accreditation and compiling game stats and notes. He was a part of the Bruins staff that was awarded the 2011-2012 Dick Dillman Award for the NHL’s Eastern Conference, given annually to the team judged to be the best in media relations.

Smith has also spent time with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. While working with the Revolution, the Massachusetts native oversaw donations from the New England Revolution Charitable Foundation and also assisted with public relations projects that involved matches with U.S. Soccer, the Spanish National Team and Manchester United, including publishing articles in Matchday Magazine and other periodicals.

While at Boston College, Smith was a four-year member of the varsity track team, where he competed as a sprinter in the Atlantic Coast Conference and was named to the All-New England Team as a freshman in 2009. He also earned a spot on the ACC Academic Honor Roll each of the past four years and was awarded the Athletic Director’s Award for Academic Achievement.

NOTES: Smith will become the 14th Brian Fishman Intern. Previous Brian Fishman Interns include (most recent listed first): Alex DiFilippo (East Tawas, Mich./Michigan State University) Caryn Switaj (Farmington Hills, Mich./Boston College), Matt Caracappa (Randolph, N.J./Penn State University), Carly Peters(Bloomington, Minn./Syracuse University), Chris Peters (Chicago, Ill./Iowa State University), Craig Stancher (Calumet, Mich./Michigan Tech University), Alex Clark (Glenview, Ill./Colgate University), Christy Jeffries (White Lake, Mich./Boston University), Caitlin Lazaro (Effingham, N.H./University of New Hampshire), Seth Cole (Blue Hill, Maine/St. Michael's College), Yariv Amir(Plainsboro, N.J./Colgate University), Cassy Maxton (Vandalia, Ohio/Miami University) and Jennifer Dame (St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Cloud State University).

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May is: Get Caught Reading Month, Grapefruit and Kiwi Month, National Barbeque Month, National Egg Month, National Hamburger Month, National Good Car Keeping Month, National Salad Month, National Salsa Month, Potatoes and Limes Month and Sweet Vidalia Onions Month.

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City of Regina asks Sask. Gov't for $230 million for stadium and downtown redevelopment.

Stampeders add quarterback called Gunslinger.

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

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Today is the Great American Grump Out and Roberts Rule of Order Day.

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It doesn't fit so good this way Daddy.

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Let's see, what's on the agenda for today....wash dishes, cook dinner, watch some hockey and baseball and love my family, as usual. How 'bout you?

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St. Petersburg, FL. --On a night when most wondered what the Rays' offense would resemble without Evan Longoria, Matt Joyce took care business in leading the Rays to a 3-1 win over the Mariners at Tropicana Field.

The Rays have now won seven in a row at Tropicana Field, where they have a 10-1 record on the season.

Read the rest here.

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Congrats to Borge Ousland and his new wife, Hege, who recently got married...at the North Pole. Borge used a helicopter to whisk his fiance, a priest, and a party of 15 to the northern most point on earth to get hitched. Why? Borge said, "For me it was all about marrying the woman I love in a place I love." Borge is an arctic explorer who has been to the area numerous times. Lots of pictures here.

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San Francisco, CA.-- Reality interfered with the Giants' fondest fantasy Tuesday night.

A fabulous story seemed destined to unfold. Buster Posey batted in the eighth inning with the bases loaded, one out and the Giants trailing the Miami Marlins by one run. Surely, Posey would deliver the hit that not only would win the game but also subdue the opponents San Francisco faced last May 25 when he sustained multiple left leg injuries in a home-plate collision. A measure of revenge would be exacted, though Posey has repeated that facing Miami has no special significance.

The scene developed quite differently. Facing reliever Edward Mujica, Posey smacked an inning-ending, rally-killing double-play grounder and a 2-1 loss to the Marlins was virtually sealed.

Read the rest here.

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Ann Romney has called her husband "wild and crazy". [For instance, there was this one time when Mitt took her to the Olive Garden without having reservations.]

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Today in Elvis History

1956 - For the first time in "Billboard" chart history, five singles were in both the pop and the R&B top 10. The singles were Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes," Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally," the Platters' "Magic Touch," and Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love."

1959 - Elvis Presley's "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I" hit #2 in the U.S.

1960 - Filming began on Elvis Presley's "G.I. Blues." It was his first post-Army movie.

1964 - The Elvis Presley soundtrack album "Kissin' Cousins" hit #6 in the U.S.

1969 - Elvis Presley shot the final scene for his final movie, "Change of Habit."

2000 - The Elvis Presley movie "G.I. Blues" was released on DVD.

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Facebook is all about sharing, and now Mark Zuckerberg wants you to take that to the next level by sharing, say, your kidney. Facebook is now allowing users to post to their timelines that they are organ donors, and provide an easy link to sign up with official organ donor registries. Zuckerberg says he was inspired to take the step both by his med student girlfriend, Priscilla Chan, and the plight of Steve Jobs, whose life was extended by a liver donation.

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Today in Beatles History:

1964 - "The Beatles' Second Album" hit #1 in the U.S. It replaced the album "Meet The Beatles!" in the #1 spot.

1975 - The Beatles closed Apple Records.

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Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson are proud new parents of a healthy baby girl they've named Maxwell Drew.

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Today in Sports History:

1876 - Ross Barnes hit the first homerun in the National League.

1904 - Laska Durnell became the first woman to own a Kentucky Derby starter and winner with Elwood.

1920 - In Indianapolis, the first game of the National Negro Baseball League was played.

1923 - Walter Johnson pitched his 100th shutout.

1939 - Lou Gehrig set a new major league baseball record when he played in his 2,130th consecutive game. The streak began on June 1, 1925.

1954 - Stan Musial (St. Louis Cardinals) set a new major league record when he hit 5 home runs in a doubleheader against the New York Giants.

1958 - The New York Yankees threatened to broadcast games nationwide if the National League went ahead with plans to broadcast their games into New York.

1970 - Diane Crump became the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby.

1988 - The Baltimore Orioles signed a 15 year lease to remain in Baltimore and get a new park.

1988 - Pete Rose (Cincinnati Reds) was suspended for 30 games for pushing an umpire.

2002 - Mike Cameron (Seattle Mariners) hit four home runs against the Chicago White Sox.

2009 - The Dallas Cowboys practice bubble collapsed during a storm during a practice. At the time, 27 players were working out. Almost all were drafted last weekend or signed as undrafted rookies. Twelve people were injured.

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Jack Benny's first radio show debuted on NBC Radio on this date in 1932.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

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

Monday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers 10:10pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers 10:10pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers 10:10pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 7:05pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks 9:40pm EDT

Saturday --

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

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks 8:10pm EDT

Sunday --

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

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 1:35pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks 4:10pm 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!