It's Thursday

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

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Today is April 24th, the 114th day of 2014. There are 251 days left in the year.

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Avalanche forward Hishon to debut in Game 4.

Wild's Cooke suspended seven games for kneeing.

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

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Envoys of Montezuma II attended the first Easter mass in Central America on this date in 1519.

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Montreal, PQ. -- All it might have taken for Lightning defenseman Mark Barberio to prevent the Canadiens' first goal Tuesday in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal was a peek over his shoulder.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1800, the Library of Congress was established with a $5,000 allocation.

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The Midwest Division final series, led by Fairbanks 2-1, now shifts to Wenatchee for game 4 on Friday, April 25th and game 5, if necessary, on Saturday, April 26th. Faceoff time is 7:05pm PDT. Individual and group game tickets for all home playoff games are on sale now. Call 509.888.PUCK (7825). WILD 2.0 UPGRADE ************************************************ On this date in 1833, a patent was granted for first soda fountain. ************************************************ Gaudreau Added to 2014 U.S. Men's National Team Roster Boosted to 19 Players; IIHF Men's World Championship Starts May 9 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Forward Johnny Gaudreau (Carneys Point, N.J./Calgary Flames/Boston College) has been added to the 2014 U.S. Men's National Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship May 9-25 in Minsk, Belarus. Gaudreau helped the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team win the gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. He was named to the Media All-Star Team after scoring a tournament-best seven goals plus two assists. Team USA's roster now has 11 forwards, seven defensemen and one goaltender. The maximum roster size is 25. For Team USA's updated roster, click here. NOTES: Fifteen of 19 announced members of Team USA played U.S. college hockey ... Seven of the 19 players are products of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Jimmy Hayes, Seth Jones,Jake McCabe, Peter Mueller, Connor Murphy, Drew Shore and Jacob Trouba ... Eight NHL teams are represented on the roster: Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets ... The staff and players of the 2014 U.S. Men's National Team are selected by the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group, led by Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. Other members, all affiliated with National Hockey League teams, include Stan Bowman (Chicago), Brian Burke (Calgary), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poile (Nashville), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh), Dale Tallon (Florida), and Don Waddell (Pittsburgh). Tom Kurvers (Tampa Bay) will be part of the advisory group for this year's championship ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams … Sixteen teams will compete at the 2014 IIHF Men's World Championship, split into two groups of eight. Teams will play a round-robin format among their group with the top four teams from each group advancing to quarterfinals … NBC Sports Network is scheduled to televise all Team USA games in the 2014 IIHF Men's World Championship. A final broadcast schedule will be available in the near future. Team USA 2014 IIHF Men's World Championship ScheduleMay 9-25 • Minsk, Belarus Date Opponent Venue Time (Local/EDT) Fri., May 9 Belarus Minsk Arena 8:45 p.m./1:45 p.m. Sat., May 10 Switzerland Minsk Arena 8:45 p.m./1:45 p.m. Mon., May 12 Russia Minsk Arena 8:45 p.m./1:15 p.m. Thurs., May 15 Latvia Minsk Arena 4:45 p.m./9:45 a.m. Fri., May 16 Kazakhstan Minsk Arena 4:45 p.m./9:45 a.m. Sun., May 18 Finland Minsk Arena 4:45 p.m./9:45 a.m. Tues., May 20 Germany Minsk Arena 12:45 p.m./5:45 a.m. Thurs., May 22 Quarterfinals TBD TBD Sat., May 24 Semifinals Minsk Arena 2:45 p.m./7:45 a.m. 6:45 p.m./11:45 a.m.  Sun., May 25 Bronze-Medal Game Minsk Arena 4:30 p.m./9:30 a.m. Gold-Medal Game Minsk Arena 9:00 p.m./2:00 p.m. NBC Sports Network To Air U.S. Men's World Championship Games Live NBC Sports Live Extra to Stream Games Online and on Mobile Devices COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - NBC Sports Network will live broadcast all of Team USA's preliminary round games at the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship that begins May 9 in Minsk, Belarus. Additionally, NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will stream coverage of the 2014 IIHF World Championship. Games will be live streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The tournament, which runs through May 25, features a collection of the best players in the world from 16 nations. Team USA opens play May 9 against Belarus. A complete schedule is below. In addition to all Team USA preliminary round games, NBCSN will present coverage of the quarterfinals, semifinals and the gold-medal game, which will air live on May 25 at 2 p.m. ET. NBC Sports Network will produce pre-game, intermission and post-game coverage from the network’s state-of-the-art International Broadcast Center located in Stamford, Conn. NBC Sports Network Broadcast Schedule for Team USA at 2014 IIHF Men's World Championship ScheduleMay 9-25 • Minsk, Belarus Date Opponent Venue Time (EDT) Fri., May 9 Belarus Minsk Arena 1:30 p.m. Sat., May 10 Switzerland Minsk Arena 1:30 p.m. Switzerland (encore) Minsk Arena 11:30 p.m. Mon., May 12 Russia Minsk Arena 1:30 p.m. Thurs., May 15 Latvia Minsk Arena 9:30 a.m. Fri., May 16 Kazakhstan Minsk Arena 9:30 a.m. Sun., May 18 Finland Minsk Arena 9:30 a.m. Tues., May 20 Germany Minsk Arena 5:30 a.m. Thurs., May 22 Quarterfinal* TBD 9:30 a.m. Quarterfinal TBD 1:00 p.m. Quarterfinal* TBD 11:00 p.m. Friday, May 23 Quarterfinal* TBD 1:00 a.m. Sat., May 24 Semifinal* Minsk Arena 9:30 a.m. Semifinal* Minsk Arena Noon Sun., May 25 Gold-Medal Game Minsk Arena 2:00 p.m. Bronze-Medal Game* Minsk Arena 4:30 p.m. * - same-day delay NOTES: Peter Laviolette will serve as head coach of the 2014 U.S. Men's National Team. The assistant coaches are Joe Sacco, Phil Housley and Don Granato ... For Team USA's updated roster, click here ... Fourteen of 18 announced members of Team USA played U.S. college hockey ... Seven of the 18 players are products of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Jimmy Hayes, Seth Jones, Jake McCabe, Peter Mueller, Connor Murphy, Drew Shore and Jacob Trouba ... Eight NHL teams are represented on the roster: Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets ... The staff and players of the 2014 U.S. Men's National Team are selected by the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group, led by Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. Other members, all affiliated with National Hockey League teams, include Stan Bowman (Chicago), Brian Burke (Calgary), Paul Holmgren(Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poile (Nashville), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh), Dale Tallon(Florida), and Don Waddell (Pittsburgh). Tom Kurvers (Tampa Bay) will be part of the advisory group for this year's championship ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams … Sixteen teams will compete at the 2014 IIHF Men's World Championship, split into two groups of eight. Teams will play a round-robin format among their group with the top four teams from each group advancing to quarterfinals … NBC Sports Network is scheduled to televise all Team USA games in the 2014 IIHF Men's World Championship. A final broadcast schedule will be available in the near future. ************************************************ The Edison General Electric Company was organized on this date in 1889. ************************************************

7 of 8 teams under the 2013 salary cap.

Smith's stock soars heading into Draft.

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

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William Price became the first to be named White House news reporter on this date in 1897.

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Tampa, FL. — Johnny Manziel is on the short list of players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considering with their first-round pick in next month's NFL draft, a league source told ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1952, Raymond Burr made his TV acting debut on the "Gruen Guild Playhouse" in an episode titled, "The Tiger."

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St. Petersburg, FL. -- Wednesday night made twice on the current homestand that the Rays pitching did not get its due, once against the Yankees, and, now, against the Twins.

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On this date in 1953, Winston Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

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Denver, CO. -- Hector Sanchez must keep his skills sharp by pinch-hitting, which is always a challenge, and by playing occasionally behind starting catcher Buster Posey. It's not an easy way for a 24-year-old to climb the Major League learning curve with the Giants, but it's preferable to playing regularly at Triple-A Fresno.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1955, "X-Minus One," a science fiction show, was first heard for the first time on NBC radio.

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Use the Force Jimmy!

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as tuning in to your friend's radio show, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1992 - "Elvis -- The Great Performances" aired on CBS-TV. The event was hosted by Priscilla from Graceland.

2004 - The Vermont Teddy Bear Company ended its release of the limited edition Elvis Bear 2. The bears were to be offered (March 29-April 24, 2004) at more than 750 Kroger stores free of charge with a minimum purchase.

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MIT sent a TV signal by satellite for the first time on this date in 1962.

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Today in Beatles History:

1965 - The Beatles' "Ticket to Ride" hit #1 in the U.K.

1967 - The Beatles attended a Donovan concert in London.

1968 - The Beatles' Apple Records decided not to sign David Bowie.

1969 - Paul McCartney publicly denied the rumors that he is dead.

1976 - Raquel Welch, Phoebe Snow, John Sebastian and Lorne Michaels were guests on "Saturday Night Live." During this show Lorne Michaels made a statement requesting the Beatles to appear on the show.

  
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The newest Greek regime banned miniskirts on this date in 1967.

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Today in Sports History:

1961 - Sandy Koufax (Los Angeles Dodgers) struck out 18 batters becoming the first major-league pitcher to do so on two different occasions. 

1963 - The Boston Celtics won their fifth straight NBA title.

1994 - David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs) scored 71 points againts the Los Angeles Clippers.

2003 - The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeated the Dallas Stars 4-3 in 5 overtime periods in game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Petr Sykora scored 48 seconds into the fifth overtime ending the game as the fourth longest game in NHL history. The final time was 140 minutes and 48 seconds.

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The space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral, FL on this date in 1990. It was carrying the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 1:10pm EDT

Friday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Toyotacare 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 8:10pm EDT

NAHL Playoffs -- Wenatchee Wild vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs 10:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Cleveland Indians 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Cleveland Indians 4:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 7:10pm EDT

NAHL Playoffs -- Wenatchee Wild vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs 10:05pm EDT (If necessary)

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 2:10pm EDT

Verizon Indy Car Series -- Honda Grand Prix of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 3:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Cleveland Indians 4:05pm EDT

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