It's Friday

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

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Today is March 28th, the 87th day of 2014. There are 280 days left in the year.

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Stanley Cup Playoffs clinching scenarios: March 28.

Leaders emerging for contenders in East.

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

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Today's Birthdays: Dianne Wiest (Law & Order, Hannah and Her Sisters, Footloose) is 66; Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers, Swingers) is 44; TV personality Kate Gosselin is 39; Lady Gaga is 28.

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Tampa, FL. -- Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said he wanted to test out some new players the next time a shootout came around.

Read the rest here.

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Raymond Burr starred in a TV movie titled "Ironside" on this date in 1967. The movie was later turned into a television series.

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Outdoor Game to Feature U.S. National Under-18 Team Against Adrian College at Winterfest 2014 in Toledo, Ohio

Game Marks First-Ever Outdoor Game for NTDP

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The U.S. National Under-18 Team is set to square off with Adrian College on an outdoor rink at Fifth Third Field during Winterfest 2014 presented by ProMedica, it was announced today by the Toledo Mud Hens and the Toledo Walleye. The two teams will play New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2014, at 4 p.m. EST. The contest will mark the first-ever outdoor game played by any team from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. “Everyone at the NTDP is excited for our first-ever outdoor game and the continuation of our friendly rivalry with Adrian College," said Scott Monaghan, senior director of operations for the NTDP. "USA Hockey is grateful for everyone involved in Winterfest and look forward to a wonderful experience for our players.” "Our team is excited to be a part of playing outdoor hockey at Fifth Third Field during Winterfest,” said Adrian College men’s hockey head coach Ron Fogarty. “Our first experience a few years ago was so memorable and I want our current group of players to experience something truly special. It is an honor to be included in conjunction with the Toledo Walleye and their great organization. We look forward to playing the Under-18 Team on New Year's Eve and hope to entertain the crowd on the last day of 2014." Festivies surrounding the game include intermission performances by Adrian College’s Skating Team. The Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating Team, currently ranked ninth in the nation, will perform during first intermission. During second intermission, Tricia DeFelica, the 2013 U.S. Intercollegiate Team Skating Champion - Senior Ladies, will perform a competitive routine. “We’re happy to have these two teams join our Winterfest lineup,” said Joe Napoli, President and General Manager of the Toledo Walleye and Toledo Mud Hens. “They come into this matchup with a 2-2-1 series record. It will be a fun game to watch and we welcome their fans to come and experience this unique event.” Winterfest 2014 is a 10-day community-wide outdoor celebration taking place December 26, 2014 - January 4, 2015. Fifth Third Field, home of Minor League Baseball's Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, will be converted from a baseball field into an outdoor hockey rink during the festivities. The full-size 200’ x 85’ rink will stretch across the infield with the two goals near first and third base.  Fifth Third Field's outdoor rink will also play host to the first-ever outdoor hockey games in ECHL history, pitting the Toledo Walleye against the Kalamazoo Wings on December 27, 2014, before the Walleye take on the Fort Wayne Komets on January 3, 2015. Additionally, an NCAA tilt between Bowling Green State University and Robert Morris University and a Toledo Walleye alumni game are scheduled for January 3. Ticket details for the Adrian/U.S. National Under-18 Team hockey game are currently being finalized. Interested fans can call the Toledo Walleye box office at (419) 725-9255 to receive ticket information updates. 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.

************************************************ A streaker ran onto the set of "The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson" on this date in 1974. ************************************************ Home against Aberdeen The Wenatchee Wild is in action this weekend against the Aberdeen Wings at Town Toyota Center. The Wild is currently third, one point ahead of Kenai River and three points ahead of Coulee Region in the battle for the last two playoff spots in the Midwest Division. Since we saw you last The Wild played a pair of games last weekend against Port Huron, winning a 4-1 decision on March 21st and dropping a 4-3 overtime decision on March 22nd. Joseph Kaszupski scored two goals in the first game; Parker Tuomie had a goal and an assist in the second game. Chase Perry made 45 saves combined in the two games. Special teams recap Wenatchee went 2 for 7 on the power play and 6 of 8 on the penalty kill against Port Huron. The Wild has been shorthanded 231 times so far this season, 8th fewest in the NAHL. The Wild has been on the power play 260 times, ranking 6th in the league in opportunities. Penalties recap vs. Port Huron Officials whistled 76 minutes in penalties in the two games, 38 to Wenatchee and 38 to Port Huron. Special teams on the season The Wild penalty kill is 6th in the NAHL rankings, at 86.58% (200 of 231). The Minnesota Wilderness leads at 92.73% (204 of 220). Wenatchee has allowed just 31 power play goals on the season, 7th fewest in the league, behind the Wilderness. The Wild has scored 5 shorthanded goals, tied for 9th in the NAHL. On the power play, Wenatchee ranks 3rd, at 21.54%, while allowing just 4 shorthanded goals. The past 10 games Tuomie leads the team with 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points, while Brendan Harris (3g, 7a) tallied 10 points. Mitch Demario (3g, 4a) and Troy Loggins (2g, 5a) each scored 7 points. Tuomie scored 4 power play goals; 6 different players scored game-winning goals, with the Wild scoring the first goal 5 times in the 10 games. Omar Mullan picked up 28 penalty minutes and Mike Coyne 17. In goal, Chase Perry has a 2.51 goals against average, Austin Priebe 2.43.     Wild vs. Aberdeen This is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Wild has gone 1-1-0 against the Wings, winning 4-2 on December 13th and dropping a 3-2 decision on December 14th, both in Aberdeen. This is the final meeting of the season between the two teams. Aberdeen, who is 9-1-0-0 in their past 10 games, are led in scoring by TJ Roo (21g, 31a) with 52 points and Jordan Heller (20g, 28a) with 48 points. Jake Horton is at +17 and Drew Doyon has 99 penalty minutes. Goaltender Chad Catt is 17-11-1-2 with a 2.19 goals against average and a .937 save percentage. The Wings are 2nd in the league on the power play at 22.17% and 8th in the league on the penalty kill, at 86.06%. Wenatchee, 6-3-1-0 in their past 10 games, is led by Loggins (23g, 29a) with 52 points and Parker Tuomie (23g, 26a) with 49 points. Goaltender Chase Perry is 15-12-1-4, with a 2.33 goals against average and a .907 saves percentage. This is the final weekend of the regular season. Alumni Report Adam McKenzie has played four seasons at Air Force. In 146 games, he has 22 goals, 53 assists and 42 penalty minutes. Brandon Burrell has played three seasons at St. Cloud State with 12 games played. Jono Davis has played 18 games at Nebraska-Omaha this season, with 1 assist and 25 penalty minutes. Robert Nichols has appeared in 13 games with Connecticut this season, with an 8-2-2 record, a 1.91 goals against average and a .939 saves percentage. Jeff Jubinville has spent four seasons at Bemidji State University. In 131 games, he has 14 goals, 23 assists and 30 minutes in penalties. TJ Wees has appeared in 23 games over three seasons, split between Lake Superior and St. Norbert. In 23 games, he has 1 assist and 14 penalty minutes. Around the NAHL Fairbanks has the league’s top win percentage, at .750, followed by Amarillo at .707 and Topeka at .690. Fairbanks leads the Wilderness by 8 points for the top spot in the Midwest Division…. Austin is atop the Central by 1 point over Aberdeen…. Port Huron leads Michigan by 10 points in the North and Amarillo leads Topeka by 2 points in the South…. Fairbanks leads the NAHL with 203 goals; Wenatchee is 10th with 167…. The Wild has allowed 157 goals, 12th fewest in the league; the Wilderness has allowed the fewest in the NAHL at 111…. Amarillo is the league’s most penalized team, at 1,355 minutes. The Wild is 21st at 857 minutes…. Austin has won 26 home games; while Fairbanks has 21 road wins…. Corpus Christi leads the league in average attendance at 3,010, Wenatchee is second at 2,961 and Johnstown is third at 2,514. League Leaders Alec Butcher (24g, 42a) of Kenai River leads the league in scoring with 66 points. Jay Dickman of Austin (27g, 35a) has 62 points and Tyler Poulsen (27g, 32a) of Topeka has 59 points. Tuomie has 2 shorthanded goals. Poulsen leads the league with 14 power play goals. Kasimir Kaskisuo has the league’s lowest goals against average, at 1.46. Got tickets? The Wild has some great seats available for you, your family and your friends. Single game and season seats are available by calling the Wild at 509-888-PUCK(7825). Great group rates are available as well. This weekend around the Midwest Division Thursday: Magicians at Coulee Region Friday: Wilderness at Coulee Region; Aberdeen at Wenatchee; Kenai River at Fairbanks. Saturday: Wilderness at Magicians; Aberdeen at Wenatchee; Kenai River at Fairbanks. Sunday: Magicians at Coulee Region. (End of regular season) Coming up: Yet to be determined. (All numbers current as of March 26th, 2014.) ************************************************ More than 6,000 radio stations of all format varieties played "We are the World" simultaneously at 10:15 a.m. EST on this date in 1986. ************************************************ Dunk: REDBLACKS ready for true draft experience. Rod Pedersen's blog: March 26th. Please visit the league's official website, cfl.ca. ************************************************ In the wake of news of her separation Gwyneth Paltrow is trying to go on with her life. [Today she started her 12-day colon and matrimonial cleanse.] ************************************************ Tampa, FL. — This week, the mailbag yields questions on the viability of Jeff Demps as the Bucs' return man, the draft impact of the Matt Schaub trade and the tabled rule to push the extra point line back to the 20. Read the rest here. ************************************************ In November of 1998, Bill Clinton used a Toshiba Satellite Pro laptop computer to send the first official email from a sitting president of the United States -- and now you can buy it. The inaugural email correspondence between Clinton and astronaut John Glenn is included with the computer. | auction link ************************************************ Put on your beads Jimmy. ************************************************ You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much as sleeping in on a Friday morning, the day after watching the Lightning win an NHL-record 13-round shootout, isn't it? ************************************************ Today in Elvis History 1958 - Elvis Presley arrived at Fort Hood, TX, for basic training. He was stationed there for six months.  1964 - Elvis Presley's "It Hurts Me" hit #29 in the U.S. 2005 - Lisa Marie Presley appeared on television's "Oprah." ************************************************ Payment service Square calculated which states' restaurant transactions have the largest proportion that include tips, and also the average tip percentage by state. If you want to wait tables for a living, Alaska is the best state, with the average tip at 17%. Residents of Delaware tipped the lowest, 14%. ************************************************ Today in Beatles History: 1964 - Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London unveiled its wax version of the Beatles. 1964 - The Beatles single "I Saw Her Standing There" was #1 in Australia. They also held the next five spots with other singles. 1966 - Ringo Starr and George Harrison attended a Roy Orbison concert in Walthamstow, England. 1970 - The Beatles single "Hey Jude" hit #2 in the U.S.    ************************************************ Bitcoin fan said on the social media forum Reddit that he'd eat his own hat if the digital currency's value dipped below $1,000. It did, and he made good. In a painful 46-minute video, user 'Anndddyyyy' devours his hat. He does so by cutting it into pieces and working them into a sandwich. ************************************************ Today in Sports History: 1945 - Maurice "Rocket" Richard (Montreal Canadiens) became the first NHL player to score 50 goals in a season. Richard scored 50 goals in 50 games. 1963 - Sonny Werblin announced that the New York Titans of the American Football League was changing its name to the New York Jets. (NFL) 1990 - Jesse Owens received the Congressional Gold Medal from U.S. President George Bush. 1999 - In Cuba, the Orioles beat the Cuban National Team 3-2. It was the first time since the 1950's that a U.S. team had played in Cuba. 2002 - Former NFL player Dexter Manley was sentenced to two years in jail for evidence tampering. He had been convicted for attempting to swallow cocaine he was carrying and then failed to meet with his probation officer. 2002 - Greco Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner had the middle toe on his right foot amputated due to frostbite. He had been stranded overnight in Wyoming on February 14. 2002 - Eric Cairns (New York Islanders) was suspended by the NHL for two games. The previous night Cairns had punched Radek Bonk (Ottawa Senators). ************************************************ IN THEATERS - Sabotage (R); Noah (PG-13); Cesar Chavez (PG-13); Bad Words (R, wider release) ************************************************ Coming Up: Tonight -- NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Aberdeen Wings 10:05pm EDT Saturday -- NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres 7:00pm EDT NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Aberdeen Wings 10:05pm EDT Sunday -- Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway 1:00pm EDT Verizon Indy Car Series -- Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at the Streets of St. Petersburg -- 3:00pm EDT NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings 5:00pm EDT ************************************************ That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!