It's Thursday

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

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Today is February 6th, the 37th day of 2014. There are 328 days left in the year.

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Olympics take center stage on 'NHL Revealed.'

Thomas considering return to Panthers next season.

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

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Today's Birthdays: TV journalist Tom Brokaw is 74, Kathy Najimy (Veronica's Closet) is 57, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses is 52, Rick Astley is 48.

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tampa, FL. --ampa Bay Lightning Center Steven Stamkos will not be able to participate in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today. Stamkos underwent a CT Scan (which offers a three-dimensional view of the bone) this afternoon and then met with Lightning Medical Director Ira Gutentag, who was unable to clear Stamkos for game participation at this time. Rehabilitation with the Lightning training staff will continue and he will be reevaluated in 2-3 weeks.

Read the rest here.

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A new report says that, besides domestic cats, the number one annual killer of birds is windows. [Probably Windows 8.]

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University of Minnesota Keeps Unanimous No. 1 Ranking in USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine 17th Annual Women's College Hockey Poll - #18 (First-place votes in parentheses) Rank School Last Week's Ranking 2013-14 Record Weeks in Top 10 1 University of Minnesota, 190 (19) 1 26-1-1 18 2 University of Wisconsin, 171 2 21-3-2 18 3 Clarkson University, 134 5 21-4-3 18 4 Harvard University, 116 3 17-2-3 18 5 University of North Dakota, 115 4 16-7-3 18 6 Cornell University, 111 6 16-3-4 18 7 Boston College, 89 7 19-4-3 18 8 Robert Morris University, 48 8 21-5-2 9 9 Quinnipiac University, 43 9 17-4-7 15 10 Mercyhurst University, 21 10 17-7-3 11 Others receiving votes: Boston University, 4; University of Minnesota Duluth, 2; Northeastern University, 1. Notes: To view past polls, click here ... The University of Minnesota received all 19 first-place votes in this week's poll ... Minnesota has been the No. 1-ranked team in each of the last 44 polls dating back to March 20, 2012 ... ECAC Hockey leads the way with four ranked programs, while the Western Collegiate Hockey Association has three, College Hockey America has two teams ranked, and the Hockey East Association is represented with one school in the poll ... A total of 13 teams received votes. About the poll: The 17th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the four NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey. U.S. National Under-18 Team Bests Russia, 5-2, in Opener at 2014 Five Nations Tournament Larkin Nets Two Power-Play Goals in Victory DMITROV, Russia - Dylan Larkin (Waterford, Mich.) netted two power-play goals, as the U.S. National Under-18 Team bested Russia, 5-2, here tonight at Dmitrov Arena. The game was the first of four for Team USA at the 2014 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament. Team USA struck first just over one minute into the first period. Louie Belpedio (Skokie, Ill.) tallied the goal from Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) and Anders Bjork (Mequon, Wis.). The U.S. doubled its lead on the power play at the midway point when Jack Glover (Golden Valley, Minn.) found Larkin at the top of the right faceoff circle. Larkin wristed the shot into the net for the score. Eichel extended the lead, 3-0, taking a pass in the slot from Sonny Milano(Massapequa, N.Y.) and blasting the puck past the Russian netminder at 16:03. Milano scored the second power-play marker for Team USA to open the middle stanza.Johnathan MacLeod (Dracut, Mass.) earned an assist on the play. The goal would stand as the lone tally of the period. Team USA's third goal with the man advantage gave the U.S. a 5-0 cushion in the final frame. Larkin one-timed a pass into the cage from the right side of the net for the score. Ryan Hitchcock (Manhasset, N.Y.) and Glover collected helpers. Russia scored to spoil the shutout bid and once more to draw closer to the U.S., 5-2, but it would be as close as the host country would get. Blake Weyrick (Ojai, Calif.) stopped 19 shots in the win for the U.S., while Maxim Sidorov made 23 saves in the loss for Russia. The U.S. National Under-18 Team will enjoy one day off in between contests before facing Finland on Thursday (Feb. 6). Puck drop is slated for 6:30 a.m. EST at Dmitrov Arena. NOTES: Team USA outshot Russia, 28-21 ... The U.S. went 3-5 on the power play, while Russia went 1-7 ... For the complete U.S. National Under-18 Team roster, click here ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team is seeking its first title at the Five Nations Tournament since 2011. Team USA has claimed first place six times (1999, 2005, 2007-09, 2011) ... Follow@USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the Five Nations Tournaments. Scores will be designated with the #5nationsU18 tag ... For additional coverage, visit the NTDP Facebook page and follow @USANTDP on Twitter ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com. 2014 U18 Five Nations Tournament Schedule - United States Feb. 4-8, 2014 • Dmitrov, Russia Date Opponent Location Time (EST) / Result Tues., Feb. 4 Russia Dmitrov W, 5-2 Thurs., Feb. 6 Finland Dmitrov 6:30 a.m. Fri., Feb. 7 Sweden Dmitrov 6:30 a.m. Sat., Feb. 9 Czech Republic Dmitrov 6:30 a.m. ABOUT THE NTDP: In 1996, USA Hockey launched a new initiative called the National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Celebrating its 17th season of play in 2013-14, the goal of this full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice. U.S. National Under-17 Team Outlasts Finland, 6-5, in Opener at Five Nations Tournament Matthews Scores Game-Winner, Ten Players Record Points SUNDSVALL, Sweden - Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.) had the game-winning goal and added an assist and nine other players registered at least one point, as the U.S. National Under-17 Team outlasted Finland, 6-5, here today at Gardehov Arena. The game marked the first for Team USA at the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament. Team USA opened the scoring at 7:02 of the first period on the power play. From the left goal line, Matthews centered a pass to Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo.) who buried the puck into the net. Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.) also assisted on the play. Just 47 seconds later, Jordan Greenway (Potsdam, N.Y.) set up Jack Roslovic (Columbus, Ohio) in a similar play to double the U.S. lead. Dennis Yan (Troy, Mich.) also collected a helper. Finland answered by scoring three straight power-play markers, one with a 5-on-3 advantage, to turn the tide against Team USA, now down 3-2. The U.S. tied the game midway through the second stanza when Roslovic jammed the puck past Finnish netminder Christian Heljanko. After the initial shot on net, a scramble ensued in the crease and Roslovic picked up his second tally on the day. Greenway earned the lone assist. Two goals scored 38 seconds apart helped Finland take back control of the game. With less than a minute remaining in the period, Luke Kirwan (DeWitt, N.Y.) scooped up his own rebound, spun around and wristed the shot past Heljanko. Tkachuk tied the game at the 8:09 mark of the final frame, hacking at a rebound before the puck eventually went in. Charles McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.) registered an assist. With just under five minutes remaining in the game, Matthews coasted into the slot and snapped a quick shot past Heljanko for the game-winning goal. Brendan Warren (Carleton, Mich.) andNoah Hanifin (Norwood, Mass.) each earned assists. Michael Lackey (Washington, D.C.) and Luke Opilka (St. Louis, Mo.) combined to turn away 16 shots in the victory for Team USA, while Heljanko made 32 saves in the loss for Finland. The U.S. National Under-17 Team will next face the Czech Republic in Kovland, Sweden, on Friday (Feb. 7). Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST at Anashallen Arena. NOTES: Team USA outshot Finland, 38-21 ... The U.S. went 1-4 on the power play, while Finland went 3-7 ... For the complete U.S. National Under-17 Team roster, click here ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team is competing in the Five Nations Tournament for the second time. Last year, Team USA finished third with a record of 2-0-1-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) ... Follow@USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the Five Nations Tournaments. Scores will be designated with the #5NationsU17 tag ... For additional coverage, visit the NTDP Facebook page and follow @USANTDP on Twitter ... The U.S. National Under-17 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com. 2014 U17 Five Nations Tournament Schedule - United States Feb. 5-9, 2014 • Sundsvall, Sweden Date Opponent Location Time (EST) / Result Wed., Feb. 5 Finland Gardehov W, 6-5 Fri., Feb. 7 Czech Republic Anashallen 1:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 8 Russia Gardehov 6:30 a.m. Sun., Feb. 9 Sweden Gardehov 8:30 a.m. ABOUT THE NTDP: In 1996, USA Hockey launched a new initiative called the National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Celebrating its 17th season of play in 2013-14, the goal of this full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice.

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Seattle Public Schools reported that more than 13,000 students and 565 teachers were absent from school Wednesday morning, most likely to join the estimated 700,000 screaming fans at the Seahawks victory parade in downtown Seattle.

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Capping it off: Chamblin named 2013 Coach of the Year.

Fresh Start: Burris happy to be a REDBLACK.

Please visit the league's official website, cfl.ca.

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NBC radio debuted "Dangerous Assignment" on this date in 1950.

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Tampa, FL. — The NFL has announced that long-time partner CBS will broadcast eight Thursday Night Football games in 2014, with an option for 2015…NFL Network will simulcast those eight, and air eight late-season games of its own.

Read the rest here.

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For much of the country it's been a particularly cold, snowy winter -- but believe it or not, parents should put away the snow blower. A parenting expertsays moms and dad should bundle up the kiddos and let them shovel with them. It's about bonding, it's good exercise, it promotes better sleep, and they get to experience the 'sounds of the season'.

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Jimmy plays with his super heroes.

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as missing a blogging day cuz blogger won't work, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1939 - Elvis Presley's father, Vernon, was released from prison after serving 8 months for altering a check. 

1959 - The Elvis Presley LP "For LP Fans Only" was shipped. The release was a compilation of ten previously released songs.

1961 - Elvis Presley was called by to California to re-shoot the ending for the movie "Wild In The Country." The preview audiences did not like the original ending.

1990 - The television show "Elvis" began airing on ABC-TV. The show was cancelled on May 19th. 

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Wednesday was college football signing day and Eastern Michigan days signed a recruit named Lion King Conway. Lion King hails from the wilds of Southfield, Michigan. He plays defensive end.

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Today in Beatles History:

1970 -  John Lennon's "Instant Karma" with Yoko Ono's "Who Has Seen the Wind?" was released in the U.K. 

1981 - Former Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison teamed up to record a musical tribute to John Lennon. The song "All Those Years Ago" was the result.

2005 - Paul McCartney headlined the Super Bowl XXXVIIII halftime show and performed four songs. The songs were "Drive My Car," "Live and Let Die," "Get Back" and "Hey Jude."

2007 - Yoko Ono's CD "Yes, I'm a Witch" was released. 

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TV TONIGHT: 22nd WINTER OLYMPICS - Even though the Opening Ceremonies aren't until tomorrow night, coverage begins tonight (8p ET, NBC) from Sochi, Russia, with figure skating team events, snowboarding and freestyle skiing.

... Fox said an average of 528,000 people watched the live Internet stream of the game, peaking at the end of the third quarter.

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Today in Sports History:

1921 - The New York Yankees issued a press release to announce the purchase of 10 acres of property in the west Bronx. The land was used for Yankee Stadium I.

1926 - The National Football League adopted a rule that made players ineligible for competition until their college class graduated.

1932 - Dog sled racing happened for the first time in Olympic competition.

1958 - Ted Williams signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox that was worth $135,000. The contract made him the highest paid player in major league history.

1970 - The NBA expanded to 18 teams for the 1970-71 season. The new teams added were Buffalo, Cleveland, Houston and Portland.

1986 - Peter McNab (New Jersey Devils) became the 42nd player to score 450 career goals.

1990 - Brett Hull (St. Louis Blues) and his father Bobby Hull, became the only father-son combination in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season.

2005 - The New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX. It was the 3rd win in four years for the Patriots.

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On this date in 1971, NASA Astronaut Alan B. Shepard used a six-iron that he had brought inside his spacecraft and swung at three golf balls on the surface of the moon.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs 7:30pm EST

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Fairbanks Ice Dogs 11:00pm EST

Friday --

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Fairbanks Ice Dogs 11:30pm EST

Saturday --

USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Space Coast Hurricanes 5:00pm EST

USPHL Empire Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Florida Junior Blades 5:15pm EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings 7:00pm EST

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Fairbanks Ice Dogs 11:30pm EST

Sunday --

USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Space Coast Hurricanes 11:45am EST

USPHL Empire Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Junior Blades 12:05pm EST

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