Monday Morning Meissnervations

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

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Today is February 2nd, the 33rd day of 2015. There are 332 days left in the year.

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Brodeur learning on fly in Blues front office.

Green doing more for Capitals with less ice time.

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

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Today's Birthdays: TV chef Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) is 67. Brent Spiner (Star Trek: The Next Generation) is 66. Bounty hunter and TV personality Duane “Dog” Chapman is 62. Christie Brinkley is 61. Shakira is 38.

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Tampa, FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed goalie Evgeni Nabokov on waivers, the Lightning said Sunday.

Read the rest here.

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Romance Alert: Valentine's Day is one week from Saturday.

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USA Defeats Russia, 3-2, to Open World Sled Hockey Challenge Farmer's late goal lifts USA in rematch of gold-medal game from 2014 Paralympic Winter Games LEDUC, Alberta – Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) scored with 1:45 left in the third to break a 2-2 tie and help the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team defeat Russia, 3-2, here today in the first game of the 2015 World Sled Hockey Challenge. The game was a rematch of the gold-medal game at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, which the U.S. won, 1-0. “It was an exciting first game, not just for the tournament, but for our season in general,” said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the 2015 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “Our newcomers learned a lot today against a strong Russian team. We’re glad to get the win and ready to improve next game.” Team USA struck first at 10:26 in the opening period. While on the power play, Brody Roybal(Northlake, Ill.) collected a pass from Nikko Landeros (Johnstown, Colo.) and fired a shot by Russian goaltender Vladimir Kamanstev. Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.), who earned the win with 18 saves, was also credited with an assist on the play. In the second stanza, Team USA applied pressure quickly when a two-on-one between Farmer andJosh Pauls (Green Brook, N.J.) forced Kamanstev to make a sprawling save. The United States extended its lead at 7:05 in the second when Farmer’s pass found Kevin McKee (Chicago, Ill.) alone in the slot and he fired a shot into the bottom right corner. Evgeny Petrov’s wrister with 3:39 left in the period made it a one-goal game. Both teams traded chances to start the third frame. Russia scored the tying goal with 4:07 to play when Vasily Varlakov walked in alone seconds after being released from the penalty box. Farmer and McKee, who connected for a goal in the second period, did so again in the final two minutes of play. McKee’s pass sent Farmer down the middle, allowing him to tuck the puck passed Kamansteve for the game-winning goal. Team USA is back in preliminary round action tomorrow (Feb. 2) against Korea. Puck drop is 2:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen live on FastHockey.com. 2015 World Sled Hockey Challenge • Team USA Schedule Feb. 1-7 - Leduc, Alberta - Leduc Recreation Centre Date Opponent Time (ET)/Result Sun., Feb. 1 Russia W, 3-2 Mon., Feb. 2 Korea 9:00 p.m. Wed., Feb. 4 Canada 9:00 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 5 Semifinal 2:00 p.m. Semifinal 9:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 7 Third-Place Game 2:00 p.m. Championship Game 7:00 p.m. NOTES: Brody Roybal was named the U.S. Player of the Game … Each team was credited with 20 shots on goal in the game. … The U.S. penalty kill was two-for-two, while its power play was one-for-four … For full game statistics, click here … For complete Team USA coverage, click here … Follow@USAHockeyScores for in-game updates. Join the World Sled Hockey Challenge conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #WSHC.

************************************************ The claws came out during a Brazilian beauty pageant when an angry runner-up yanked the crown off the winner’s head and threw it to the ground. The runner up later claimed the pageant suffered from corruption and said the winner bought her way to the title. ************************************************

Waiting Game: Messam anxious heading into free agency.

Video: 'Happy to be back here'.

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

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On this date in 1887, Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, PA was first held.

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Phoenix, AZ. -- Here's a sampling of media reports on the Buccaneers today.

Read the rest here.

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The Super Bowl is over. Some people are happy. Some people are sad. [And a lot of people are worried that they can’t get Katy Perry’s voice out of their heads.]

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Norman, OK. -- The Oregon State wrestling team scored one of its biggest dual wins of the season on Sunday by edging Oklahoma 20-17 to conclude another successful road trip.

Read the rest here.

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GROUNDHOG DAY 2015 - Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning. That means he goes back into his hole for six more weeks of winter. Website

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Go, go Lightning Guys!

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as watching the Seahawks blow the Super Bowl, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History:

1977 - Elvis Presly did not show up for an RCA recording session. 

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A tortoise was stolen from a farm in England twice in the same weekend. Teo the tortoise was pocketed by a visitor to Puxton Park Farm on Saturday afternoon, but was returned after the thief felt guilty. But just hours after the animal was returned a second thief broke in and took Teo and a second tortoise, Taylor.

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - The Beatles began their first British tour supporting Helen Shapiro. 

1969 - Yoko Ono obtained a divorce from her first husband, Tony Cox, and gained custody of her daughter, Kyoko. 

1970 - "Look" magazine used "I read the news today, oh boy" has the headline to its '60s retrospective. 

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American Sniper is No. 1 at the North American box office for a third weekend, earning an additional $31.9 million. Two films tied for second: Paddington and the new release Project Almanac. Both made about $8.5 million.

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Today in Sports History:

1876 - The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs (known as the National League) was formed in New York. The teams were located in Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Hartford, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis. 

1949 - Golfer Ben Hogan was seriously injured in an auto accident in Van Horn, TX. 

1967 - The American Basketball Association was formed by representatives of the NBA. 

2003 - Dany Heatly (Atlanta Thrashers) became the fifth player to score four goals in the NHL's All-Star game. 

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How to Train Your Dragon 2 dominated the 42nd annual Annie Awards held Saturday. The DreamWorks Animation flick won a total of six awards including the best animated feature at the event honoring the best in film and TV/broadcast animation for the past twelve months.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Tuesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at St. Louis Blues 8:00pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars 8:30pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings 5:00pm EST

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

USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Roswell Bulldogs 8:00pm EST

Sunday --

USPHL Empire Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors at Florida Junior Blades 12:00pm 

EST

USPHL Elite Hockey -- Tampa Bay Juniors vs Roswell Bulldogs 12:15pm EST

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Anaheim Ducks 5:00pm EST

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