It's Friday

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

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Today is December 5th, the 338th day of 2014. There are 27 days left in the year.

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Alfredsson announces retirement after 18 seasons.

Sabres' Girgensons top vote-getter after week two of 2015 NHL All-Star Fan Vote presented by SiriusXM.

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

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Today's birthdays: Singer Little Richard is 82. Paula Patton (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) is 39. Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) is 29.

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Tampa, FL. -- Steven Stamkos had a goal and two assists to help the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 5-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres at Amalie Arena on Thursday.

Read the rest here.

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TIP YOUR BARTENDER WELL - Today is Bartender Appreciation Day.

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Karyn Bye Dietz, Brian Rafalski, Jeff Sauer and Lou Vairo Enshrined Into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Bill Daly and Paul Holmgren Receive Lester Patrick Trophy; Bob O'Connor Presented USA Hockey Builders Award

MINNEAPOLIS – Karyn Bye Dietz (River Falls, Wis.), Brian Rafalski (Dearborn, Mich.), Jeff Sauer (St. Paul, Minn.) and Lou Vairo (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were formally enshrined in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame this evening during a sold-out ceremony held at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center. In addition to the enshrinement of the Class of 2014, Bill Daly (Kinnelon, N.J.) and Paul Holmgren (St. Paul, Minn.) both received the National Hockey League's Lester Patrick Trophy and Bob O'Connor was presented with the USA Hockey Builders Award. "It was a tremendous evening of celebration and a pleasure to honor these amazing individuals and recognize their contributions to our sport," said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. For complete coverage of tonight's celebration and to hear from the Class of 2014, the 42nd in the history of the Hall, please click here.

************************************************ IN THEATERS - The Pyramid (R) ************************************************ Ticats have mixed emotions as Grey Cup dust settles. Commissioner Cohon to step down in January. Please visit the league's official website, cfl.ca. ************************************************ COMING UP - Human Rights Day: December 10. Winter Solstice: December 21. Christmas: December 25. New Years Eve: December 31. New Years Day: January 1. ************************************************ Tampa, FL. --All-Pro DT Gerald McCoy is taking a slightly smaller percentage of the team's defensive snaps in an effort to keep him at peak effectiveness in key game situations...Plus injury updates and additional quotes. Read the rest here. ************************************************ New research reveals that you can easily lose weight and improve overall health by restricting your eating to an 8-12 hour window. [Did they just give me the green light to eat nonstop for 12 hours?] ************************************************ Corvallis, OR. --Bob De Carolis Statement on Coach Riley. Read the rest here. ************************************************ Amazon has launched a new brand of diapers and baby wipes, called Amazon Elements. Elements diapers are priced at roughly 19 cents cheaper than other diapers. Elements are only available to Amazon Prime members. ************************************************ He's such a big boy. ************************************************ You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as NASA finally launching the Orion, isn't it? ************************************************ Today in Elvis History: 1970 - The album "Elvis Back In Memphis" hit #183 in the U.S. The work was originally released as the second part of the album "From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis."  1981 - The Elvis Presley compilation album "The Ultimate Performance" hit #45 in the U.K. ************************************************ In Vancouver, Canada, police towed a $275,000 Lamborghini — then bragged about it on Twitter. The driver was going 60 in a 30 miles-per-hour zone. Vancouver Police tweeted: “Lamborghini – $275K. Excessive speeding ticket – $368. Watching your sports car get towed for 7 days – Priceless.” ************************************************ Today in Beatles History: 1965 - The Beatles played in their hometown of Liverpool for the last time.  1967 - In London,the Beatles' launch party for their Apple Boutique took place. The store opened on December 7.  1969 - Ringo Starr and his family moved from Surrey, England to Roundhill (in London).  1973 - The Paul McCartney and Wings album "Band on the Run" was released.  1980 - John Lennon gave his final "Rolling Stone" interview to Jonathan Cott. On the same day, Mark David Chapman left Honolulu to fly to New York City. Three days later Chapman killed John Lennon. ************************************************ TV TONIGHT: A VERY GRAMMY CHRISTMAS - This special includes performances of holiday songs as well as artists sharing favorite holiday memories. Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Tim McGraw and Pharrell Williams are set to appear. (9p ET, CBS) ************************************************ Today in Sports History: 1908 - At the University of Pittsburgh, numerals were first used on football uniforms worn by college football players.  1970 - The Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy and the Bill Masterson trophy were stolen from the NHL Hall of Fame.  1973 - Ron Santo became the first major league player to veto his trade.  1978 - Pete Rose signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. The contract was for four years and $3.2 million making Rose the highest paid athlete in team sports.  1982 - Mel Gray ended an NFL streak of 121 consecutive games with receptions.  1983 - Steve Howe (Los Angeles Dodgers) was suspended for 1 year for cocaine use.  1983 - The video arcade game "NFL Football" was unveiled in Chicago. It was the first video arcade game to be licensed by the National Football League.  1995 - Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins) passed for 300 yards in a game for the 52nd time to set an NFL record.  2000 - Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) moved past Wilt Chamberlain into second place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.  2002 - Michal Handzus (Philadelphia Flyers) became only the second NHL player to score an overtime goal on a penalty shot. The Flyers beat the New York Rangers 3-2. ************************************************ Chris Pratt is in early talks to join The Magnificent Seven. The film is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, which was inspired by the 1956 Japanese film The Seven Samurai. ************************************************ Coming Up: Tonight -- NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs 10:05pm EST Saturday -- USPHL Empire Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Palm Beach Hawks 3:00pm EST USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Palm Beach Hawks 6:00pm EST NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets 7:00pm EST Sunday -- USPHL Empire Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Palm Beach Hawks 9:00am EST USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Palm Beach Hawks 12:00pm EST NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions 1:00pm EST NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs 8:05pm EST ************************************************ That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow.