It's Thursday

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

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Today is April 25th, the 115th day of 2013. There are 250 days left in the year.

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2013 Scotiabank NHL Draft Lottery to be held Monday.

Staal family reunion set for game at Carolina.

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

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

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Tampa FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning got back on the winning track Wednesday night.

Its stars even padded their stats in the ranks among league leaders in the process.

Martin St. Louis recorded his seventh career hat trick, Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist, and Radko Gudas also scored to help the Bolts defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Read the rest here.

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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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Wenatchee, WA. -- The Wenatchee Wild open the West Division finals tomorrow and Saturday against their arch-rivals, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Games 1 and 2 are in Wenatchee Friday and Saturday, April 26th and 27th at 10:05pm EDT both nights. Catch all the action on kpq.com or FastHockey.com.

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Work began on the Suez Canal in Egypt on this date in 1859.

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USA Hockey Honored with USOC's Amazing Leader Award Award Recognizes Leadership in Paralympic Movement COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey has been named the recipient of the 2013 Amazing Leader Award by the United States Olympic Committee, it was announced today. The Amazing Leader Award recognizes an individual or organization whose leadership in the Paralympic Movement has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified athletes, programs and organizations that improve the lives of people with physical and visual disabilities. “We’re honored to be recognized by U.S. Paralympics with the Amazing Leader Award," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "We're an inclusive organization that works extremely hard to support both able-bodied and disabled athletes and this award is really a reflection of the thousands of volunteers across the country that champion those efforts." As the national governing body for both able-bodied and sled hockey, USA Hockey has been recognized for building a grassroots program that feeds into a successful high-performance pipeline. USA Hockey's initiatives include an equipment lending program and the Sled Hockey Grant Program, which helps ease the initial financial burden of a new sled hockey program by providing five new sleds to a participating program. Additionally, USA Hockey has implemented player development camps that can identify athletes for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team that has excelled on the international level, capturing the 2010 Paralympic gold medal and two of the last three International Paralympic Committee World Championships. “The 2013 winners of our Paralympic Amazing Awards are delivering in the areas of grassroots development, elite high performance, sponsorship and philanthropy and telling the Paralympic story," said USOC Chief of ParalympicsCharlie Huebner. "Their success is making a significant impact on the delivery of high quality programming to persons with physical disabilities throughout the United States.” The Amazing Leader Award will be presented to USA Hockey which during the USOC Paralympic Leadership Conference April 26-28 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Olympian Caitlin Cahow Retires Veteran Ends Her Playing Career After Seven Seasons and 106 Games in U.S. Uniform COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Two-time Olympian Caitlin Cahow (Branford, Conn.) officially announced her retirement from the U.S. Women’s National Team Program today. During her seven-year career with USA Hockey, Cahow earned a silver medal as a member of Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. "Caitlin has been an integral part of the Women's National Team Program for many years and always represented the U.S. with class,” said Reagan Carey, director of women’s hockey for USA Hockey. “She was a true leader and a versatile player who did whatever the team needed to achieve success. Her commitment and selflessness was vital to the growth of our program." Cahow's 106-game career included four appearances in the International Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship where she helped the United States capture three gold medals (2008, 2009, 2011) and a silver medal (2007). She was named one of Team USA's top three players in 2008 and 2011 and was selected to the 2011 media all-star team. Cahow also helped the U.S claim first place in the Four Nations Cup on two occasions (2008, 2011) as well as five second-place finishes at the event (2005-07, 2009-10). Additionally, Cahow served as captain of Team USA for the Under-22 Series in 2006 and was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team during tours in 2005-06 (Hilton Family Skate to 2006 Tour) and 2009-10 (Qwest Tour). She was also on the 2008-09 U.S Women’s Select Team. Cahow and participated in six USA Hockey Women's National Festivals between 2005 and 2010. "Caitlin has had a tremendous hockey career full of many accomplishments," said Katey Stone, head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team. "Her commitment to her teammates and USA Hockey has been significant. We wish her the very best as she transitions into the next stage of her life." During her career in a U.S. uniform, Cahow scored 21 goals and contributed 37 assists for 58 points. She was also recognized by USA Hockey as the 2008 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year. "I'm so proud to have been a part of helping this program grow to the level it has and I'm inspired with where it's going," said Cahow. "My time with USA Hockey has changed my life forever and my experiences with my teammates has forged incredible friendships. I will always think fondly about the challenges we met and the adversities we conquered together. I will always be a part of Team USA but now it's time to begin new challenges." Cahow played four years (2003-05, 2006-08) of college hockey at Harvard University. She was as an RBK All-America First Team selection and a top-10 finalist for the 2008 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award her senior season (2007-08). Cahow was a two-time First Team All-ECACH selection (2006-07, 2007-08) and earned Academic All-ECACH honors in 2004-05. She was also an All-Ivy selection on two occasions (2004-05, 2006-07). Cahow was named to the all-tournament team at the 2004 and 2005 ECACH Championships, as well as the all-tournament team at the 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Frozen Four. Upon concluding her college career in 2008, she embarked on a four-year professional playing career. Cahow served as captain during her three seasons (2010-13) in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League with the Boston Blades, winning the Clarkson Cup in her final season. She also helped the Minnesota Whitecaps earn the Western Women’s Hockey League Championship in 2008-09 and was named the top defenseman at the championship. Cahow is entering her final year of law school at Boston College. ************************************************ New York became the first state to require license plates for cars on this date in 1901. The fee was $1. ************************************************ Change of position on the horizon for Brackenridge? Alouettes kickoff new era at mini-camp. Visit the league's official website at cfl.ca. ************************************************ On this date in 1928, a seeing eye dog was used for the first time. ************************************************ Tampa, FL. — QB Josh Freeman set Buccaneer records last year in his first year in Mike Sullivan's system, but he knows there's always room for improvement, and one area he intends to focus on is his leadership. Read the rest here. ************************************************ "Your Family and Mine," a radio serial, was first broadcast on this date in 1938. ************************************************ St. Petersburg, FL. -- Alex Cobb brought the magic on Wednesday night as the Rays closed out a much-needed winning homestand with a 3-0 victory over the Yankees at Tropicana Field with 19,177 watching. Read the rest here. ************************************************ W2XBS (now WCBS-TV) in New York City presented the first circus on TV on this date in 1940. ************************************************ San Francisco, CA. -- The San Francisco Giants keep proving they can come back. Now they have to work on turning their thrilling ninth-inning comebacks into victories. For the second straight game Wednesday at AT&T Park, the Giants rallied in the bottom of the ninth only to lose in extra innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks. This time, shortstop Brandon Crawford hit a game-tying solo home run into the right-field seats with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but the Giants took a 3-2 loss in 10 innings. Read the rest here. ************************************************ On this date in 1945, delegates from about 50 countries met in San Francisco to organize the United Nations. ************************************************ This is gonna be fun Daddy. ************************************************ You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as watching the NFL draft, isn't it? ************************************************ 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." ************************************************ U.S. Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon ended the longest speech in U.S. Senate history on this date in 1953. The speech on the Offshore Oil Bill lasted 22 hours and 26 minutes. ************************************************ 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. ************************************************ The U.S. spacecraft, Ranger, crashed on the Moon on this date in 1962. ************************************************ 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. ************************************************ On this date in 1983, the Pioneer 10 spacecraft crossed Pluto's orbit, speeding on its endless voyage through the Milky Way. ************************************************ Coming Up: Tonight -- NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 7:30pm EDT MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 8:10pm EDT Friday -- Nascar Nationwide Series -- Toyotacare 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 8:10pm EDT NAHL Playoff Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Kenai River or Fairbanks 10:05pm EDT MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 10:10pm EDT Saturday -- NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers 7:00pm EDT (Final game of regular season) MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 7:10pm EDT Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 8:40pm EDT NAHL Playoff Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Kenai River or Fairbanks 10:05pm EDT Sunday -- MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 2:10pm EDT MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 4:10pm EDT ************************************************ That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!