It's Thursday

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

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

Today is August 16th, the 229th day of 2012. There are 137 days left in the year.

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

Youthful Avalanche seek return to playoffs.

NHL: Gap remains between CBA economic proposals.

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

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

Today's birthdays: TV host Kathie Lee Gifford is 59; director James Cameron (Avatar, Titanic) is 58; Madonna is 54; actor Steve Carell (Hope Springs, The Office) is 50.

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

U.S. Hockey Fall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets On Sale

Ceremony to be Held in Dallas on Oct. 15

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Tickets for the 2012 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner are on sale beginning today. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2012, which includes Lou Lamoriello, Mike Modano and Eddie Olczyk, will be formally enshrined in the Lone Star State on Monday, Oct. 15. It marks the first time ever that Texas will host the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner. "We're excited to bring the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction to Dallas," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "With the limited capacity for the event, we encourage those interested in attending to act early." The 40th annual induction ceremony and dinner will be staged on the ice at Plaza of the Americas in Dallas, with the adjacent Dallas Marriott City Center serving as the host hotel. To purchase tickets and for more information on the event and sponsorship opportunities, visitUSHockeyHallofFame.com. Notes: USA Hockey took over responsibilities for the selection process and induction event associated with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006 and has staged induction ceremonies in Grand Forks, N.D., (2007), Denver (2008), Boston (2009), Buffalo, N.Y. (2010) and Chicago (2011). The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1973. To date, there are 153 enshrined members in the Hall. For information on the members of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, visit USHockeyHallofFame.com ... The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, located in Eveleth, Minn., is open daily. For hours of operation and admission prices, visit USHockeyHallMuseum.com or call 800-443-7825. U.S. Under-18 Select Team Falls to Finland, 8-6, at Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Erne Records Two Goals, Assist BRECLAV, Czech Republic – Adam Erne (New Haven, Conn.) scored two goals and added an assist, but the U.S. Under-18 Select Team fell to Finland, 8-6, in its final preliminary-round game at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. "We put in a great effort but fell short," said Matt Herr, head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team. "We started to find a rhythm and play well, but it's hard to have a game plan for a game like that. We play against Slovakia on Friday, so we'll try to find that groove again to be successful." After trailing 1-0 late in the first period, Erne took advantage on the power play and scored off a rebound from Anthony DeAngelo (Sewell, N.J.). Despite seeing few offensive chances, Finland reclaimed the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining. Seven goals were scored in the second stanza. Over the opening eight minutes the teams traded five goals with Finland holding a 5-3 advantage. During the scoring spree, Finland netted their third goal, but Erne teamed up with Sean Malone(West Seneca, N.Y.) and Gabe Guertler (Plantation, Fla.) just 40 seconds later. In the final eight minutes, Finland scored once more on Devin Williams (Saginaw, Mich.), but Trevor Moore (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) answered right back for the U.S. Team USA added two late goals from Guertler and Corey Ronan (Franklin, Mass.) to pull even with Finland, 5-5, heading into the final frame. Finland came out fast in the third, scoring twice more before Vinny Lettieri (Minnetonka, Minn.) netted the sixth goal for the U.S. at 14:14 to pull back within one. With three minutes to go, Team USA pulled Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) in favor of an extra attacker, but Finland potted an empty net goal to seal the victory. The U.S. will take the ice again on Friday (Aug. 17) against Slovakia. Puck drop is slated for 2:00 p.m. local time/9:00 a.m. EDT. For complete Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament coverage, click here. NOTES: Adam Erne was named U.S. Player of the Game ... For the complete U.S. Under-18 Select Team roster, clickhere ... Follow @USAHockey and @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information on the tournament ... The 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament features teams from Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States ... Team USA has finished in the top three of the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament 10 times since the tournament's inception in 1991, including a first place finish in 2003. The U.S. has finished second seven times (1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2010) and third twice (1991, 1995) ... Team USA finished fifth last year and second in 2010 ... The 22 players on the roster represent 10 different states. Minnesota has five representatives, while New Jersey has four and California and New York each have three ... Matt Herr (Alpine, N.J.), head coach of the Kent School (Conn.), serves as head coach and Bob Corkum (Salisbury, Mass), associate head coach at the University of Maine, and Nick Fohr (Grand Forks, N.D.), assistant coach with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, serve as assistant coaches. Game Summary Scoring By Period 1 2 3 Total USA 1 4 1 6 FIN 2 3 3 8 First Period - Scoring: 1, FIN, Westernarck (Mustonen), 16:41; 2, USA, Erne (DeAngelo, Lettieri), 17:45 (pp); 3, FIN, Ojantakanen (Lyytinen), 19:31. Penalties: USA, Erne (slashing), 4:17; FIN, Puhakka (hooking), 17:02; USA, DeAngelo (slashing), 20:00. Second Period - Scoring: 4, FIN, Mustonen (Ilvonen), 2:03; 5, USA, Erne (Malone, Guertler), 2:46; 6, FIN, Westermarck (Ilvonen), 4:19; 7, USA, Moore (DeAngelo), 5:44; 8, FIN, Puhakka (Ainali), 7:17 (pp); 9, USA, Guertler (Lettieri, Erne), 12:43 (pp); 10, USA, Ronan, 14:55. Penalties: USA, Bailey (high-sticking), 6:53; FIN, Ilvonen (holding), 10:49; FIN, Honka (hooking), 16:21; USA, Gicewicz (slashing), 17:31. Third Period - Scoring: 11, FIN, Mustonen (Auito), 6:47 (sh); 12, FIN, Westermarck (Mustonen), 7:52; 13, USA, Lettieri (Lodge), 14:14; 14, FIN, Koivistoinen, 18:24 (eng). Penalties: FIN, Makinen (tripping), 5:07; USA, Clifton (slashing), 8:15; USA, Downing (charging), 13:25; USA, DeAngelo (checking the head), 19:15. Shots By Period 1 2 3 Total USA 8 13 7 28 FIN 8 11 10 29 Goaltenders (SV/SH) 1 2 3 Total USA, Williams 24:19 6-8 1-3 -- 7-11 USA, Demko 34:40 -- 7-8 7-9 14-17 FIN, Saros 60:00 7-8 9-13 6-7 22-28 Powerplay: USA, 2-4; FIN, 1-7 Penalties: USA, 7-24; FIN, 4-8 Team USA 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Schedule August 13-17 - Breclav, Czech Republic & Piestany, Slovakia Date Opponent Location Time (Local/EDT)/Result Sat., Aug. 11 Slovakia* Breclav W, 6-0 Mon., Aug. 13 Russia Breclav L, 2-1 (SO) Tues., Aug. 14 Czech Republic Breclav L, 5-2 Wed., Aug. 15 Finland Breclav L, 8-6 Fri., Aug 17 Slovakia Breclav 2:00 p.m./9:00 a.m. *Pre-tournament game 2012-13 U.S. National Under-18 Team Roster and Schedule Announced Granato to Lead Team USA in Second Season as Head Coach ANN ARBOR, Mich. - USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, which enters its 16th season on ice in 2012-13, today announced the roster and schedule for its U.S. National Under-18 Team. The squad, comprised of some of the top American-born players in the 1995 birth year, will compete against teams from the United States Hockey League and NCAA Division I and III schools, in addition to participating in three international competitions. Highlighting the 23-player roster are forwards J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) and Anthony Louis(Winfield, Ill.) and defenseman Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.), all who were a part of the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team that captured the gold medal at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Under-18 Championship held in Breclav, Brno and Znojmo, Czech Republic. Nineteen players on the roster are returning for their second year with the NTDP, including defensemen Gage Ausmus (East Grand Forks, Minn.), Butcher, Trevor Hamilton (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.), Clint Lewis (Burnsville, Minn.), Steven Santini (Mahopac, N.Y.), Scott Savage (San Clemente, Calif.) and Keaton Thompson (Devils Lake, N.D.); forwards Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Compher, Dawson Cook (Cadillac, Mich.), Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.), John Hayden(Greenwich, Conn.), Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.), Kevin Labanc (Staten Island, N.Y.), Louis,Michael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.) and Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.); and goaltenders Curtis Frye(Northwood, N.H.) and Hunter Miska (North Branch, Minn.). Defenseman Connor Clifton (Matawan, N.J.) joins the squad after spending last season with the Eastern Junior Hockey League's New Jersey Hitmen. The defenseman was most recently named to the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that is currently competing in the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia. Clifton also helped the U.S. National Under-17 Team and Under-17 Select Team claim the 2011 Four Nations Tournament title in both Balishikha, Russia, and Ann Arbor, Mich. respectively. Clifton also skated in eight games with the U.S. National Under-17 Team in USHL action. Forwards Shane Eiserman (West Newbury, Mass.) and Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) also earned a spot on the U.S. National Under-18 Team roster for the 2012-13 season. Eiserman most recently completed a season with Cushing Academy (Mass.), accumulating 44 points (18-26) in 30 games. Eiserman also earned a title with the 2011 U.S. Under-17 Select Team at the Four Nations Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. Malone comes to the NTDP from Nichols School (N.Y.), where he posted 36 points (18-18) in 16 games with the Vikings. Malone is currently competing with the U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Netminder Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) joins the squad after splitting last season between the USHL's Omaha Lancers and L.A. Junior Kings Midget Minor team. Demko is currently playing for the U.S. in the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and has also been part of U.S. teams that competed in the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ont. and the 2011 Four Nations Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. Don Granato will guide the U.S. National Under-18 team in 2012-13, after serving behind the bench for the Under-17 team last season. Nick Fohr will enter his second season as an assistant to Granato, while Josh Brown will serve as intern assistant coach for the first time this season.  To view the complete roster, click here. The U.S. National Under-18 Team will begin its home schedule, and play its first competition, on Sept. 15 with a pre-season tilt against the Youngstown Phantoms at the St. Mary's Athletic Complex in Orchard Lake, Mich. The team's first collegiate game will come at the University of Wisconsin on Oct. 6, while its opening regular-season USHL contest will take place on Oct. 16 at home against Youngstown. The U.S. National Under-18 Team will serve as the host country in its first international competition of the season, as the 2012 Four Nations Tournament will be held in Ann Arbor, Mich, Nov. 6-11. In addition, the U.S. National Under-18 Team will compete in the 2013 Five Nations Tournament Feb. 5-10 in Jonkoping, Sweden. The season culminates with the 2013 IIHF Men's World Under-18 Championship April 7-22 in Sochi, Russia. Tickets for home games played at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube are $7 for adults and $5 for children, seniors and active military members. Youth hockey players wearing their team jerseys are admitted for just $1. New this season, the NTDP is offering a Family Four Pack, good for four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas. Family Four Packs are $25 prior to the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased by calling the NTDP at (734) 327-9251. For the complete schedule, click here. NOTES: The 23 players on the U.S. roster represent 11 different states. Michigan leads the way with five natives on the roster, while Minnesota boasts four and New York has three … A total of 19 members of Team USA have verbally committed to NCAA Division I schools … Of the 21 games against college opponents, 16 are against NCAA Division I schools, including four that finished the 2011-12 season ranked in the top 15 of the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll (No. 4 University of Minnesota, No. 6 University of Notre Dame, No. 7 University of Michigan and No. 13 Cornell University) … The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams utilize The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visitUSAHockeyIntelliGym.com.

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

Thirty-one years after it hit theaters, Raiders of the Lost Ark is coming to IMAX for one week only. Steven Spielberg says the film has been converted and its sound enhanced for IMAX, but no effects have been changed. Raiders will open in IMAX theaters on September 7. Then it hits Blu-ray on September 18.

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




Week 8 CFL.ca Game Notes.

Khalif Mitchell two game suspension upheld.

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

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

America's Got Talent is back for another season. [But the first show was a letdown. The entire episode was Paul Ryan doing pushups.]

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





Not In Panic Mode.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, now 3-3 and tied for third in the CFL West, are on the road this coming Sunday, August 19th, to meet the division leading/defending Grey Cup champion BC Lions, a team they beat 23-20 in week 3. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm EDT, on 620 CKRM and the Rider Radio Network, with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri calling the action. The action can be seen in Canada on TSN and in the U.S. online, at ESPN3.com.

Visit the team's official website, http://www.riderville.com/.

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

Domino's is partnering with auto manufacturer Local Motors and its online community of car designers to commission a design for the ultimate pizza-delivery vehicle. Anyone can submit a design at localmotors.com/dominos. There are several design competitions, including exterior, packaging, interior and surfacing. Domino's will shell out more than $50,000 in prizes for the best ideas.

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

Tampa, FL. -- Tampa Bay's training camp officially ended after Wednesday's workout. But someone forgot to tell coach Greg Schiano.

The schedule for the remaining weeks of the preseason is so similar, Schiano forgot training camp was actually over, writes Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. "(The players) kind of filled me in that today was the last day,'' Schiano said. "I wasn't even thinking that way, which is my fault, but I know as a player I'd be thinking that way.”

Read the rest here.

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

TV TONIGHT - THE NEXT (9p ET, CW) -- In this new singing competition, four stars from different areas of the music industry (Gloria Estefan, Nelly, Joe Jonas and John Rich) visit six different cities, choose a local singer and have 72 hours to prepare them for a competition. The winner of each local competition will go on to the finals to be filmed in Los Angeles.

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

Jimmy poses with Mickey Mouse at Tropicana Field.

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

Let's see, what's on the agenda for today....washing dishes, having fun with Jimmy and trying to do a bit of cleaning. How 'bout you?

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

Seattle, WA. -- Felix Hernandez truly was "The King" on Wednesday afternoon, as the Mariners ace hurled a perfect game against the Rays in a 1-0 Mariners win before 21,889 at Safeco Field.

Read the rest here.

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

Michael J. Fox is ready to go back to acting on television full time. The Family Ties and Back to the Future star is working on a comedy project inspired by his life. Fox is teaming with Arrested Development and Cougar Town writer Sam Laybourne for the show.

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

San Francisco, CA.-- Perhaps lost amidst the breaking news of Melky Cabrera's 50-game suspension for testosterone use early Wednesday afternoon was the fact that there was still a game to be played at AT&T Park -- a much-profiled, highly anticipated one at that.

The rubber match of the three-game set pitted two of the biggest pitching names in baseball, with young phenom Stephen Strasburg leading the Nationals to a 6-4 victory and the series win against the Giants' accomplished but embattled Tim Lincecum.

Read the rest here.

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

A telegraphed message from Britain's Queen Victoria to U.S. President Buchanan was transmitted over the recently laid trans-Atlantic cable on this date in 1858.

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

Today in Elvis History

1958 - Gladys Presley's funeral was held in Memphis. 500 policemen were used to keep the giant crowd at bay.

1960 - Principle photography (production) began on the Elvis Presley film "Flaming Star."

1977 - At Graceland, Elvis was discovered dead by his girlfriend Ginger Alden. His death was contributed to congestive heart failure.

1984 - RCA Victor Records released the Elvis Presley single "Baby, Let's Play House."

1987 - Cinemax-TV premiered "Elvis '56."

1994 - Light Year Entertainment released a three-video boxed set entitled "Elvis - The Concert Collection."

1997 - Elvis Presley, via video, starred in "Elvis in Concert '97." Over thirty of his former bandmantes made appearances.

2002 - In Memphis, TN, Lisa Marie Presley introduced a recording of a song she recorded for her father at "Elivs In Concert." The event was the last day of a 25th anniversary concert.

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

On this date in 1861, U.S. President Lincoln prohibited the Union states from trading with the states of the Confederacy.

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

Today in Beatles History:

1962 - Pete Best was fired from the Beatles. Johnny Hutchinson (Big Three) filled in as drummer that evening at the Riverpark Ballroom, Chester, Cheshire.

1986 - Paul McCartney's "Press" hit #25 in the U.K.

2002 - It was announced that Paul McCartney had canceled his appearance for the Kennedy Center honors and that he would be named on the list of performers for 2003.

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

Carnegie Steel Corporation put into place the eight-hour workday for its employees on this date in 1923.

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

Today in Sports History:

1920 - The only fatality to occur in a major league baseball game happened. Ray Chapman (Cleveland Indians) was hit in the head with a fastball from Carl Mays of the New York Yankees.

1948 - Babe Ruth died at the age of 53.

1954 - Sports Illustrated was published for the first time. It was claimed that 250,000 subscriptions had been sold before the first issue came off of the presses.

1981 - Cal Ripken Jr. got his first major league hit.

1996 - In Monterrey, Mexico, the New York Mets played the San Diego Padres. The Padres won the game 15-10. It was the first-ever regular season major league game to be played outside the United States and Canada.

2002 - The major league baseball players union announced that they would begin a strike on August 30th.

2002 - Curt Shilling (Arizona Diamondbacks) won his 20th game of the year.

2003 - The Canadian Football League announced that it had taken control of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats franchise until new ownership agreements were in place.

2003 - Jimmy Smith (Jacksonville Jaguars) was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

2003 - Michael Vick (Atlanta Falcons) suffered a fractured right fibula in a 13-10 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

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

Jack Paar replaced Walter Cronkite as host of "The Morning Show" on CBS-TV on this date in 1954.

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

Coming up:

Tonight --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at LA Angels 10:05pm EDT

Friday --

NFL Pre-season football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Tennessee Titans 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at LA Angels 10:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 10:05pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge at Montreal 2:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 8:35pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at LA Angels 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway 12:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at LA Angels 3:35pm EDT

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

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Lions 7:00pm EDT

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

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