It's Saturday

It's Saturday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is March 9th, the 68th day of 2013. There are 297 days left in the year.

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Getzlaf gets to stay in Anaheim with eight-year deal.

Islanders' Brent Thompson suspended for two games.

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

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Amerigo Vespucci was born in Florence, Italy on this date in 1454. Matthias Ringmann, a German mapmaker, named the American continent in his honor.

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Tampa, FL. -- It's the second of three meetings between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens. The two teams last met on February 12, when the Lightning scored three third-period goals to force overtime before eventually losing to Montreal 4-3 in the shootout. The Lightning and Canadiens will wrap up the season set in the finale on April 18 at the Bell Centre.

Read the rest here.

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Connecticut became the 5th state to join the United States on this date in 1788.

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Fairbanks, AK. - For the second straight night, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs were able to keep the high-powered offense of the Wenatchee Wild in check, defeating the Wild 3-1, in front of 2,242 at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Noah Nelson (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin) banged home a loose puck for an unassisted goal at 17:26 of the opening period. His 4th goal of the season staked Wenatchee to a 1-0 lead after one.

Zack Rall tied the game at 1-1, assisted by Colton Wolter and Jayson Angus at 11:05 of the second period on a one-timer of a pass out of the corner. Lonnie Clary then scored on a shorthanded breakaway moments later from Max Birkinbine and Rall at 12:21, putting the Ice Dogs on top 2-1, heading into the third period.

Nick Schmit (Fargo, North Dakota) held his team in game with solid goaltending in the third period, but a late goal on a rebound by Kyle Lee, assisted by Garret Clemment at 18:12 sealed the victory for Fairbanks, by the same 3-1 score as the night before.

The Ice Dogs outshot the Wild 23 to 18 on the night. Schmit had 20 saves for Wenatchee, while the Ice Dogs' Steve Perry had 17 stops. Both teams were blanked on the power play, the Wild in 3 tries, Fairbanks in 4. "I thought we played pretty well" said Wenatchee Head Coach Bliss Littler. "We had a little adversity, (Fairbanks) knocked a stick away left side D, we thought it was a broken stick, it was a mistake, nonetheless it goes in the net, we didn't handle that adversity very well." On Clary's shorthanded goal, Littler said "(We) turned the puck over on the power play, breakaway, 2-1. Pretty even hockey game other than that, got to get more bodies to the net and find out how tough we are tomorrow night."

Wenatchee's record moves to 36-10-6 on the season, the Ice Dogs improve to 35-14-3, drawing Fairbanks to within 5 points of the first place Wild in the NAHL's West Division.

The Wild stays in the Frozen North for four more games starting tomorrow (Saturday) night at Fairbanks (8:30pm PST), before moving on to Kenai River for three games (8:05pm PDT on March 14th, 8:30pm PDT on Friday and Saturday, March 15th and 16th) next week. The Wild will then close out the regular season with a four-game home-and-home series versus Fresno, with games in Wenatchee on Friday and Saturday, March 22nd and 23rd (7:05pm PDT both nights), then in Fresno on Friday and Saturday, March 29th and 30th (7:35pm PDT both nights). Individual and group game tickets for all remaining home games are on sale now. Call 509.888.PUCK (7825).

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Jean Pierre Blanchard made the first balloon flight in North America on this date in 1793. The event was witnessed by U.S. President George Washington.

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Blue Bombers extend veteran receiver Terrence Edwards.

Back to BC: 102nd Grey Cup awarded to Vancouver.

Visit the league's official website at cfl.ca.

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On this date in 1820, the U.S. Congress passed the Land Act that paved the way for westward expansion of North America.

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Tampa, FL. — Teams hoping to add talent to their offensive fronts this offseason are in luck, as both free agency and the draft appear to be deep in offensive linemen...Will the Bucs be tempted?

Read the rest here.

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Charles M. Graham received the first patent for artificial teeth on this date in 1822.

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Jimmy says, "Look, I'm a goalie."

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as staying up late to watch hockey yet again, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1957 - Elvis Presley's "Mystery Train" hit #25 and "Rip It Up" hit #27 in the U.K.

1960 - The movie "Jailhouse Rock" was re-released in honor of Elvis Presley's return from service in the U.S. Army.

1963 - Elvis Presley's ballad "They Remind Me Too Much Of You" hit #53 in the U.S.

1964 - Elvis Presley began filming on "Roustabout."

1975 - Elvis Presley began his final recording session at RCA's Hollywood studios.

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Albert Potts was awarded a patent for the letter box on this date in 1858.

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Today in Beatles History:

1962 - The Beatles performed for the first time on the BBC in Great Britain. The show was "Teenager's Turn".

1963 - The Beatles began a 21-date tour of the U.K. supporting Tommy Roe and Chris Montez.

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"Those Websters" debuted on CBS radio on this date in 1945.

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Today in Sports History:

1859 - The National Association of Baseball Players adopted the rule that limited the size of bats to no more than 2-1/2 inches in diameter.

1929 - Eric Krenz became the first athlete to toss the discus over 160 feet.

1958 - George Yardley (Detroit Pistons) became the first NBA player to score 2,000 points in a season. He did it in 72 games.

1980 - Gordie Howe and his two sons skated on a line together for the Hartford Whalers. National Hockey League history was made when the event occurred about midway through a game against the Boston Bruins.

1984 - Tim Witherspoon won a 12-round decision over Greg Pane to claim the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship.

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GWNBT-TV (now WNBC-TV), in New York, broadcast the first local color television commercials on this date in 1954. The ad was Castro Decorators of New York City. (New York)

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway 4:00pm EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens 7:00pm EST

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway 3:00pm, EDT

Monday --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers 7:30pm EDT

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders 7:30pm EDT

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Jeff Foxworthy's Grit Chips 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway 2:00pm EDT

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Panthers 7:00pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway 1:00pm EDT

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