It's Friday

It's Friday. Here's what's happening.

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Today is January 11th, the 11th day of 2013. There are 354 days left in the year.

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GMs prepare for whirlwind start to NHL season.

NHL 2013 odds: Who are the favorites for playoffs, awards and prop bets?

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

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Today's Birthdays: Golfer Ben Crenshaw is 61; Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper, on Downton Abbey) is 57; Kim Coles (Living Single) is 51; Mary J. Blige is 42; Amanda Peet (Something's Gotta Give) is 41.

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USA Hockey Sled Cup Scheduled Jan. 23-26 in North Carolina U.S. National Team and U.S. Developmental Team Host Korea and Russia COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The 2013 USA Hockey Sled Cup is set for Jan. 23-26 at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, N.C., a suburb of Charlotte. The four-team event includes the U.S. National Sled Team, the U.S. National Develomental Sled Team, and national teams from Korea and Russia. "We look forward to welcoming Korea and Russia for the Sled Cup," said Dan Brennan, general manager of the U.S. National Sled Team. "The fans in the triangle area of North Carolina will be treated to some terrific competition. They'll have a chance to see some of the best players in the world." The USA Hockey Sled Cup is the first international competition for the U.S. National Sled Team since capturing first place at the 2012 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Calgary, Alta., on Dec. 8, 2012. Additionally, it's the first international tournament to be held in the U.S. since the 2008 International Paralympic Committee World Sledge Hockey Championship in Marlborough, Mass. Team USA has won the last three major international events, including the 2009 IPC World Sledge Hockey Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic; the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver, B.C.; and the 2012 IPC World Sledge Hockey Championship in Hamar, Norway. Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.), defenseman Taylor Chace (Hampton Falls, N.H.) and forward Alexi Salamone (Buffalo, N.Y.) – who were each named to the all-tournament team at the 2012 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship – highlight the U.S. squad. Additionally, Taylor Lipsett (Plano, Texas) is expected to return after missing the 2012 World Sledge Hockey Challenge due to injury. For the complete U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster, click here. For the entire U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team roster, click here. FASTHockey will provide live streaming coverage for all tournament games. Those interested in watching should sign up for a free account in advance at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com. 2013 USA Hockey Sled Cup Jan. 23-26 - Indian Trail, N.C. - Extreme Ice Center Date Match-Up Time (EST) FastHockey.com Wed., Jan. 23 Korea vs. Russia U.S. vs. U.S. Development 4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Live Stream Live Stream Thurs., Jan. 24 U.S. Development vs. Korea Russia vs. U.S. 4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Live Stream Live Stream Fri., Jan. 25 U.S. Development vs. Russia U.S. vs. Korea 4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Live Stream Live Stream Sat., Jan. 26 Third-Place Game Championship Game  4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Live Stream Live Stream NOTES: Jeff Sauer (Madison, Wis.), former men's ice hockey head coach at Colorado College and the University of Wisconsin, is the head coach of the U.S. National Sled Team, while Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.) is the assistant coach ... Mike MacMillan (Buffalo, Minn.) is the head coach of the U.S. National Developmental Sled Team, whileKip St. Germaine (East Falmouth, Mass.) is the associate head coach ... Follow @USAHockey and@USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. For additional coverage, visitusahockey.com and USA Hockey's Facebook ... Media wishing to cover the event should contact Matt Trevor (mattT@usahockey.org) of the USA Hockey communications staff ... Dan Brennan (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is the general manager for the U.S. National Sled Team, while Jeremy Kennedy (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is the general manager for the U.S. National Developmental Sled Team ... The U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, will be chosen this summer.

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Want a pick me up? Then check out this group of singing grandpas at a Tim Horton's coffee shop in Canada. A comment on the YouTube video says the singers are "proud members of The Entertainers. The Oakville Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. They meet every Monday for general rehearsal and follow it up with a coffee & donut at the Tim Hortons."

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Riders pivots ready for battle in 2013.

Following dream season, Chad Owens ready for more.

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

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How far would you go to save a friendship? Would you get professional help? That's the latest trend, it seems. Friendship counseling. More than 10-thousand psychologists and counselors are offering sessions on relationships with friends in the United States. It's not cheap. Sessions can cost anywhere between $75 and $200 for an hour.

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Tampa, FL. —Barber's 78 yard interception return TD in Week Six and Wright's 60-yard pick-six in Week Two are among 20 moments in the running for "Play of the Year".

Read the rest here.

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New York Jets player Tim Tebow launched a line of headphones on Thursday with audio accessories company Soul Electronics, featuring high-endurance models for athletes, as well as a business-inspired pair called the "Jet."

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Jimmy gets a Thomas the Tank Engine video.

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as trying to figure out where Tim Tebow will play next, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1956 - Elvis completed his first recording session as an RCA Victor artist.

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A Swedish high-end stereo store (Pause) is selling a coffin with a state-of-the-art sound system built-in, dubbed the "CataCoffin." The strange invention is intended to promote the company's customized music solutions.

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The Beatles made their first national TV appearance in the U.K. They performed the song "Please Please Me" on the show "Thank Your Lucky Stars." 

2002 - George Harrison's widow Olivia filed a lawsuit to bar Carl Roles from selling the former Beatle's memorabilia. Carl Roles was accused of stealing items from Harrison's Los Angeles home in the 1970's and attempting to sell them the day after Harrison's death.

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The Golden Globe Awards air Sunday night on NBC. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the 70th annual event.

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Today in Sports History:

1953 - J. Edgar Hoover declined a six-figure offer to be the president of the International Boxing Club. 

1970 - Billy Casper became the second golfer in history to top the $1-million mark in career earnings when he won the Los Angeles Open golf tournament.

1973 - Owners of American League baseball teams voted to adopt the designated-hitter rule on a trial basis.

1976 - Dorothy Hamill won her third consecutive national figure skating championship.

1976 - The Soviet Olympic team walked off the ice in protest to the rough tactics of the Philadelphia Flyers.

1995 - NHL owners and Players ended a 103 day lockout. It was announced that the regular season would be reduced to 48 games and would start January 20.

2002 - Muhammad Ali received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2007 - It was announced that David Beckham had signed a five-year $250 million contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

2010 - Mark McGwire admitted that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade. The timeframe including the 1998 season when he broke the then single-season home run record.

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For only the second time in the past four decades baseball has not voted anyone into the Hall of Fame. Those most likely to enter this year were all tainted by careers that included steroids. [However, they're still eligible for the Lifetime Achievement Award from the pharmaceutical industry.]

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

EJHL South Junior Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs. Tampa Pro Alumni 7:00pm EST

Sunday --

Nothin' Doin'

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!