Monday Morning Meissnervations

It's Monday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is December 22nd, the 355th day of 2014. There are 10 days left in the year.

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Ducks' Perry back at practice, unlikely to play Monday.

'Born leader' Landeskog grows with Avalanche.

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

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On this date in 1715, James Stuart, the "Old Pretender", landed at Petershead after his exile in France.

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Tampa, FL. -- Tampa Bay capped a five-game-in-nine-days road trip with a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday, going 1-3-1 on their journey through the U.S. Northeast.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1877, The "American Bicycling Journal" went on sale for the first time.

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U.S. Junior Select Team Downs Canada East, 7-1, in 2014 World Junior A Challenge Semifinal U.S. to Face Denmark in Championship Game Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET KINDERSLEY, Saskatchewan — The U.S. Junior Select Team defeated Canada East, 7-1, to secure its spot in the 2014 World Junior A Challenge championship game Saturday (Dec. 20) at 3:30 p.m. ET. Goaltender Eric Schierhorn (Anchorage, Alaska/Muskegon Lumberjacks) stopped 22 of 23 shots for the victory, while 12 players registered points in a well-balanced offensive effort from Team USA. For a complete recap, click here. The U.S. Junior Select Team will now face Demark in the championship game Saturday (Dec. 20) at 3:30 p.m. ET. Follow @USAHockeyScores for in-game updates and check USAHockey.com for more Team USA coverage. U.S. National Under-17 Team Shutout Slovakia, 5-0, at 2014 Four Nations Tournament Team USA to Play for Tournament Title Tomorrow Versus Russia ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Jake Oettinger (Lakeville, Minn.) stopped all 15 shots he faced and Clayton Keller (Swansea, Ill.) scored one goal and added two assists as the U.S. National Under-17 Team shutout Slovakia, 5-0, here tonight at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. With the victory, Team USA earns a spot in the 2014 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament title game tomorrow (Dec. 20) versus Russia. The U.S. opened the scoring with just 1:14 remaining in the first frame. William Lockwood(Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) went inside his defender and slipped one past Slovak netminder Jan Koziak for the tally. Keller sprung Lockwood with an entry pass to earn the lone assist. The U.S. netted two power-play goals to grab the 3-0 lead after two periods of action. Nick Pastujov (Bradenton, Fla.) knocked in his own rebound at 9:27 to double the Team USA advantage. Chad Krys (Ridgefield, Conn.) and Joey Anderson (Roseville, Minn.) assisted. Anderson then struck at 16:49 with Adam Fox (Jericho, N.Y.) and Keller earning the helpers. Keller pushed the Team USA lead to four goals at 14:50 of the third, notching a power-play marker from a scrum in front of the net. Timmy Gettinger (North Olmstead, Ohio) followed up his own chance for the fifth U.S. goal at 18:15. Trent Frederic (St. Louis, Mo.) and Graham McPhee(Bethesda, Md.) collected assists on the play. The U.S. National Under-17 Team next faces Russia in the title game at the 2014 U17 Four Nations Tournament. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The game will be broadcast live on FASTHockey.com. Notes: The players of the game were Lockwood (USA) and Koziak (Slovakia) … Team USA outshot Slovakia, 46-15 … Team USA has won six of the last seven Four Nations Tournaments, including last year’s event … The Four Nations Tournament was last held in the U.S. in 2012, when Ann Arbor hosted the U18 tournament … The afternoon game saw Russia defeat Switzerland, 6-2 ... Tickets for the 2014 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament can be purchased prior to the event or at the door. Single-day tickets are available and include access to two games. Prices are $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and children, and $5 for groups of 10 or more. All tickets are general admission. To purchase tickets, call (734) 327-9251 or visit the USA Hockey offices at 2121 Oak Valley Drive in Ann Arbor. 2014 Under-17 Four Nations TournamentDec. 16-20 | Ann Arbor Ice Cube | Ann Arbor, Michigan Date Game Time (ET) / Result Tues., Dec. 16 Slovakia vs. Switzerland SVK, 3-1 USA vs. Russia RUS, 2-0 Wed., Dec. 17 Russia vs. Slovakia RUS, 8-1 USA vs. Switzerland USA, 9-2 Fri., Dec. 19 Switzerland vs. Russia RUS, 6-2 USA vs. Slovakia USA, 5-0 Sat., Dec. 20 Third Place - SVK vs. SUI 3:30 p.m. Championship - RUS vs. USA 7:00 p.m.

U.S. National Junior Team Downs Boston University, 5-2, in World Juniors Pre-Tournament Contest

Team USA Faces Germany in its Next Pre-Tournament Tune-Up Sunday at 7 p.m. ET

BOSTON — Noah Hanifin (Norwood, Mass./Boston College) and Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass./Boston University) scored shorthanded goals 24 seconds apart midway through the first period to help propel the preliminary U.S. National Junior Team past Boston University, 5-2, here tonight at Walter Brown Arena. It was the first of three pre-tournament games for the U.S. in preparation for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. “It was great to play a game,” said Mark Osiecki, head coach of the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team. “I thought particularly the last two periods were a great evaluation tool for our staff as we get ready for the World Junior Championship. I’d like to thank the fans for their great support tonight, and also Boston University for their hospitality in hosting us this week.” For a complete recap, click here. NOTES: Following tonight’s game, the 30-player U.S. preliminary roster was trimmed with forwards Adam Erne (North Branford, Conn./Quebec Remparts) and Michael McCarron(Macomb, Mich./London Knights); and defenseman Jack Dougherty (Cottage Grove, Minn./University of Wisconsin) being released ... The U.S. will travel to Kingston, Ontario, tomorrow morning where it will continue preparations for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Team USA will play two additional pre-tournament games there, including Sunday (Dec. 21) vs. Germany and next Tuesday (Dec. 23) against Sweden. Both games will be streamed live by FASTHockey.com ... Visit WorldJuniors.USAHockey.com for complete coverage of the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team. U.S. Junior Select Team Beats Denmark, 3-2, for 2014 World Junior A Challenge Championship U.S. Captures Sixth Title in Seven Years With 3-2 Overtime Victory KINDERSLEY, Saskatchewan — The U.S. Junior Select Team edged Denmark, 3-2, in overtime to claim its sixth tournament title in seven years of the 2014 World Junior A Challenge. Thomas Novak (River Falls, Wis./Waterloo Black Hawks) sealed the victory, scoring just 4:56 into the extra frame.  “We had an incredible team effort against Denmark, which was capped with Tommy Novak’s overtime winner,” said Jay Varady, head coach of the U.S. Junior Select Team. “It was an unbelievable feeling, and this is another great accomplishment for USA Hockey.” For a complete recap, click here. NOTES: Saturday's contest was Team USA's 12th consecutive win at the World Junior A Challenge ... Team USA's all-time tournament record is 27-3-1-4 ... The World Junior A Challenge is in its ninth year, and the United States competed for the eighth time. Team USA has won six of the last seven tournaments (2008-10, 2012-14) ... The official tournament website is available here ... All players chosen for the 2014 U.S. Junior Select Team currently compete in the United States Hockey League, the only Tier I junior hockey league in the U.S. U.S. National Under-17 Team Clipped by Russia, 3-2, in 2014 Four Nations Tournament Title Game Team USA Earns Second Place in Tournament ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Clayton Keller (Swansea, Ill.) and Joey Anderson (Roseville, Minn.) each contributed one goal and one assist but the U.S. National Under-17 Team was clipped by Russia, 3-2, here tonight at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Team USA finished the 2014 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in second place with a 2-0-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record. After a scoreless period and a half, the U.S. took advantage of its first power play opportunity of the game. Chad Krys (Ridgefield, Conn.) fed a pass to Keller along the right boards and he rocketed the puck top shelf at 9:21. Krys and Anderson received assists on the tally. With 1:59 remaining in the period, the puck popped out to the top of the right circle in the U.S. zone and Alexander Yakovenko walked into a slapshot that evened the score, 1-1. Russia received a man advantage at 14:53, and it took 35 seconds on the ensuing power play to net the go-ahead goal. Vitali Abromov’s shot rebounded to the stick of Maxim Bain at the right post for the goal. The Russians went on another power play minutes later and Platon Popov put home a rebound from Mikhail Sergachyov’s shot from the point to make it 3-1. Anderson shortened the gap for the U.S. at 16:19 with a power-play wrister off a rebound from Keller and Krys. Joseph Woll (Dardenne Prairie, Mo.) was pulled from net in the final minutes, but the game closed at 3-2. Notes: The players of the game were Keller (USA) and Yakovenko (Russia) … Team USA outshot Russia, 33-23 … The U.S. went 2-for-4 on the power play, while Russia went 2-for-6 … Keller led all tournament skaters with eight points (3-5) in four games. Anderson was second with six points (2-4) … The Four Nations Tournament was last held in the U.S. in 2012, when Ann Arbor hosted the Under-18 Four Nations Tournament … The afternoon game saw Slovakia defeat Switzerland, 2-0, to earn third place. 2014 Under-17 Four Nations TournamentDec. 16-20 | Ann Arbor Ice Cube | Ann Arbor, Michigan Date Game Time (ET) / Result Tues., Dec. 16 Slovakia vs. Switzerland SVK, 3-1 USA vs. Russia RUS, 2-0 Wed., Dec. 17 Russia vs. Slovakia RUS, 8-1 USA vs. Switzerland USA, 9-2 Fri., Dec. 19 Switzerland vs. Russia RUS, 6-2 USA vs. Slovakia USA, 5-0 Sat., Dec. 20 Third Place - SVK vs. SUI SVK, 2-0 Championship - RUS vs. USA RUS, 3-2

U.S. Tops Germany, 5-2, in Tune-Up for IIHF World Junior Championship

Next Up is Final Pre-Tournament Game vs. Sweden on Tuesday

KINGSTON, Ontario – The U.S. used goals from five different players on the way to a 5-2 victory over Germany here tonight in a pre-tournament game in preparation for the upcoming 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. "I thought it was a very competitive game and gave us a good chance to see some different players," said Mark Osiecki, head coach of the 2015 U.S National Junior Team. "We've enjoyed our time in Kingston so far and look forward to Tuesday's game with Sweden." For complete recap and box score, click here. NOTES: A total of 12 different players recorded at least one point in tonight's game ... Jack Eichel,Sonny Milano, Steven Santini, Alex Tuch and Brandon Halverson did not dress for the U.S. tonight. Team USA has 27 players in Kingston, Ontario, vying for a spot on the final 2015 U.S. National Junior Team ... Team USA will face Sweden in Kingston on Tuesday (Dec. 23) at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live by FASTHockey.com ... Visit WorldJuniors.USAHockey.com for complete coverage of the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team.

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On this date in 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray, of his wife's hand.

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The Tampa Bay Juniors took part in the USPHL's Southern Winter Showcase in Ellenton over the weekend.

On Thursday, December 18th, the Elite Juniors lost to the Richmond Generals 5-2. Romain Wild and Trey Stern scored goals and Michael Krch made 23 saves. Tampa Bay was 1-for-4 on the power play and 3-of-3 on the penalty kill.

On Friday, December 19th, the Elite Juniors lost in a shootout to the East Coast Eagle, 5-4. Richard Foy, Christopher Aastrom, Brock Thompson and Jack Stang scored goals and Michael Krch made 23 saves. The Juniors were 1-for-6 on the power play and 4-of-4 on the penalty kill.

Also on Friday the 19th, the Empire Juniors beat the East Coast Eagles 4-1. Goals were scored by Benoit Chin, Michael Demiceli, Mason Ledbetter and Tanner Frankich. Sam Coleman made 31 saves. Tampa Bay was 0-for-1 on the power play and 1-of-2 on the penalty kill.

In their second game of the day, the Empire Juniors blanked the Hampton Roads Junior Whalers 2-0. Steven Noyes scored both goals, Nick Levesque made 28 saves and Tampa Bay was 0-for 3 on the power play and 2-of-2 on the penalty kill.

On Saturday, December 20th, the Elite Juniors lost to the Hampton Roads Junior Whalers 4-1. The Tampa Bay goal was scored by Connor Smith. Michael Krch and Jeff Gardner combined to make 25 saves. Tampa Bay was 0-for-3 on the power play and 3-of-4 on the penalty kill.

Also on Saturday the 20th, the Empire Juniors played twice, losing to the Richmond Generals 1-0 in game one. Sam Coleman made 20 saves and the Juniors 0-for-6 on the power play, while going 4-of-4 on the penalty kill.

In their second game of the day, Tampa Bay's Empire squad lost to the Atlanta Junior Knights 6-4. Mason Ledbetter scored twice, Benoit Chin and Max Mulholland once each. Zac Gazzana made 32 saves for the Juniors, who were 2-for-7 on the power play and 3-for-6 on the penalty kill.

The Elite Juniors played the Atlanta Junior Knights on Sunday, December 21st, winning 4-3. Brock Thompson, Ryan Odgers, Jack Stang and Christopher Aastrom scored goals, Jeff Gardner made 20 saves. Tampa Bay went 1-for-3 on the power play and 5-of-6 on the penalty kill.

Also on Sunday the 21st, the Empire Juniors dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Atlanta Junior Knights. Tampa Bay goals were scored by Justin Kilker and Alexander Treb=ndall, who scored twice. Nick Levesque made 36 saves for the Juniors, who went 0-for-3 on the power play and 4-of-6 on the penalty kill.

After breaking for the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the Juniors will be back in action in the New England showcase starting January 8th, with both teams taking part in the action. A complete schedule can be found at usphl.com and all games will be available for view on Fasthockey.com.

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On this date in 1910, U.S. Postal savings stamps were issued for the first time. They were discontinued in 1914.

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Nye: Chapdelaine should transform Rider offence.

Officially back intact, Rider D-line hungry for more.

Please visit the league's official website, http://www.cfl.ca.

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A team of scientists say it has deciphered the moos between a mother cow and her calf. [If the mother is happy, she gives a short moo. But if she’s angry with her calf, she tends to call him by his full name.]

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Tampa, FL. -- Despite holding the visiting Packers well below their usual scoring output, the Buccaneers lost 20-3 at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday behind an offense that struggled throughout the game.

Read the rest here.

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Authorities in Oakland County, Michigan, say Bryan Joseph Kryscio was arrested for stealing an on-duty ambulance from a hospital in Pontiac. He later told a deputy he was hoping to go to a strip club about 30 miles away and apparently he said there was no public transportation available.

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Corvallis, OR. --Today we bring you the first installment of the eight-part series of “Get to Know Coach Gary Andersen.” The “Voice of the Beavers” Mike Parker sat down with Coach Andersen recently in the Loge level of Reser Stadium to discuss his philosophies on and off the field, and what Beaver Nation can expect from him and his staff.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1956, Colo, the first gorilla to be born in captivity, was born at the Columbus, Ohio zoo.

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Hi Daddy! Let's go home.

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as announcing 18 hockey games in four days, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History:

1956 - Elvis Presley's single "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine," the b-side for "Blue Moon," hit #23 in the U.K. 

1960 - The Elvis Presley movie "Flaming Star" opened nationwide in the U.S. For that week the movie was #12 on the National Box Office Survey. Due to strict laws of racial separation the movie was banned in South Africa because of its focus on the complications of a bi-racial family.

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The good news: Mark Wahlberg will be back for Transformers 5. The bad news: There’s going to be a Transformers 5. Wahlberg says he’s committed to “a couple more” Transformers films. The next is expected to be in theaters in 2016.

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Today in Beatles History:

1981 - A rock 'n' roll auction in London brought in $2,000 for a letter of introduction from Buddy Holly to Decca Records. John and Cynthia Lennon’s marriage certificate was sold for $850 and an autographed program from the world premiere of the Beatles film "Help!" brought in $2,100. 

2010 - The pedestrian crossing outside Abbey Road Studios in north London was designated a site of national importance by the British government.

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IN THEATERS - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (PG-13). Annie (PG). Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG). Wild (R).

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Today in Sports History:

1877 - The "American Bicycling Journal" went on sale for the first time. 

1894 - The United States Golf Association (USGA) was formed in New York City. 

1920 - Joe Lynch beat Peter Herman in the first blow-by-blow radiocast of a boxing match. 

1943 - Sporting goods manufacturers received permission to use synthetic rubber for the core of baseballs. 

1962 - Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers, was on the cover of TIME magazine. 

1962 - The 1,000,000th NBA point was scored. 

1974 - Phil Esposito (Boston Bruins) scored his 500th goal as a Bruin. 

1983 - The New York Islanders scored three shorthanded goals against the Washington Capitals. 

1986 - Joe Paterno was named Sportsman of the Year by "Sports Illustrated" magazine. It was only the second time a coach had won the award. 

1993 - The Dallas Mavericks lost their 20th consecutive game in a 20-game streak. 

1996 - Kordell Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers) ran 80 yards for a touchdown against Carolina. It was the longest scoring run by a quarterback in NFL history. 

1996 - Vinny Testaverde (Baltimore Ravens) became the eighth quarterback in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards and throw at least 30 touchdown passes in a single season. 

1996 - Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) became the 11th player to get 20,000 career points and 10,000 career rebounds. 

1996 - Brett Hull became the 24th player in NHL history to score 500 goals. Brett and his father Bobby became the first father-son combination to score 500 goals apiece. 

1998 - The American Basketball League (ABL) announced that it was suspending operations and filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

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The last show of "Let’s Make A Deal" was aired on this date in 1976.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins 7:30pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

Nothin' Doin'

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 7:00pm EST

Sunday -- 

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints 1:00pm EST (Final game of regular season.)

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