It's Wednesday

It's Wednesday. Here's what's happening....

************************************************

Today is April 27th, the 117th day of 2011. There are 248 days left in the year.

************************************************





Habs edge Bruins, push series to seven games.

Flyers chase Miller, rout Flyers in game 7 win.

Canucks beat Hawks in OT to win series.

Here's the First Round playoff schedule.

************************************************

Today is Adminstrative Professionals Day or Secretary's Day.

************************************************

USHL Clark Cup Playoffs – First Round

Eastern Conference

Indiana Ice (#3) vs. Waterloo Black Hawks (#6)

Indiana wins series 2-0.

Team USA (#4) vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (#5)

Muskegon wins series 2-0.

Western Conference

Sioux Falls Stampede (#3) vs. Sioux City Musketeers (#6)

Sioux Falls wins series 2-1.

Fargo Force (#4) vs. Lincoln Stars (#5)

Fargo wins series 2-0.

USHL Clark Cup Playoffs – Second Round

Eastern Conference

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (#1) vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (#5)
Cedar Rapids wins series 3-1.

Green Bay Gamblers (#2) vs. Indiana Ice (#3)
Green Bay wins series 3-0.

Western Conference

Dubuque Fighting Saints (#1) vs. Fargo Force (#4)
Dubuque wins series 3-0.

Omaha Lancers (#2) vs. Sioux Falls Stampede (#3)
Sioux Falls wins series 3-0.

USHL Clark Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference Final
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (#1) vs. Green Bay Gamblers (#2)
Game 1: Friday, April 29th, 7:05 PM – Green Bay @ Cedar Rapids
Game 2: Saturday, April 30th, 7:05 PM – Green Bay @ Cedar Rapids
Game 3: Friday, May 6th, 7:05 PM – Cedar Rapids @ Green Bay
Game 4: Sunday, May 8th, 3:05 PM – Cedar Rapids @ Green Bay**
Game 5: Tuesday, May 10th, 7:05 PM – Green Bay @ Cedar Rapids **
** if necessary
(all times reflect local start time)

USHL Clark Cup Playoffs – Western Conference Final
Dubuque Fighting Saints (#1) vs. Sioux Falls Stampede (#3)
Game 1: Friday, April 29th, 7:00 PM – Sioux Falls @ Dubuque
Game 2: Saturday, April 30th, 7:00 PM – Sioux Falls @ Dubuque
Game 3: Friday, May 6th, 7:05 PM – Dubuque @ Sioux Falls
Game 4: Sunday, May 8th, 6:05 PM – Dubuque @ Sioux Falls**
Game 5: Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00 PM – Sioux Falls @ Dubuque **
** if necessary
(all times reflect local start time)

************************************************

Today is Babe Ruth Day.


************************************************

Fowler, McDonagh and Stepan Added
to 2011 U.S. Men's National Team

Trio Joins 19 Players Previously Announced

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced that defensemen Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich./Anaheim Ducks) and Ryan McDonagh (St. Paul, Minn./New York Rangers/Univ. of Wisconsin), and forward Derek Stepan (Hastings, Minn./New York Rangers/Univ. of Wisconsin) have been added to the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship, April 29 - May 15, in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia.

Fowler currently plays for the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks, while McDonagh and Stepan compete for the New York Rangers. All three have been part of past U.S. National Junior Teams, as Fowler and Stepan were both members of the gold medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in Regina and Saskatoon, Sask., and McDonagh skated for Team USA at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ont.

Fowler is making his third U.S. national team appearance, having helped the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team earn a gold medal at the 2009 IIHF World Men's U18 Championship. The defenseman spent two seasons (2007-09) with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. McDonagh is also making his third U.S. national team appearance, having earned a silver medal with the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team at the 2007 IIHF World Men's U18 Championship. Stepan is making his second Team USA appearance.

The first 16 players for the U.S. Men's National team were announced on April 13 and three more players were added on April 15. Overall, 15 of the 22 players have U.S. national team experience, having competed in a combined six IIHF World Men's Championships (2004-06, 2008-10), 10 IIHF World Junior Championships (2001-07, 2009-11) and six IIHF World Men's U18 Championships (2000, 2002-03, 2005, 2007, 2009).

For Team USA's roster, click here.

The U.S. will face Austria tomorrow (April 27) at 2:15 p.m. EDT in a pre-tournament game at Tiroler Wasserkraft Arena in Innsbruck, Austria. Live scoring of the game can be found here and on Twitter by following #2011WMC.

NOTES: Seven of the 22 players are alumni of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Mike Brown (2001-03), Cam Fowler (2007-09), Mike Komisarek (1999-2000), Al Montoya (2001-02), Kevin Shattenkirk (2005-07), Jack Skille (2003-05) and Mark Stuart (2000-02) ... Twenty of the 22 members on Team USA played U.S. college hockey, including two current college players ... The average age of the 22 players is 24.3 ... The NHL's Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues each have three players on the roster, while the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers have two ... The U.S. Men's National Team's fourth-place finish at the 2009 IIHF World Men's Championship was Team USA's best finish at the tournament since capturing the bronze medal in 2004 ... All teams at the 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship may begin the tournament with 20 skaters and three goaltenders, and can add two players after the first three games ... The 2011 U.S. Men’s National Team is under the direction of the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group, including NHL general managers Brian Burke (Toronto), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poile (Nashville), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh) and Dale Tallon (Florida); Atlanta Thrashers president Don Waddell; and Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director for hockey operations. Paul Fenton, assistant general manager of the Nashville Predators and general manager of the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, will serve as associate general manager of the 2011 U.S. Men's National Team ... As previously announced, Scott Gordon will serve as head coach for the second consecutive year after leading the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team, while Greg Cronin, Phil Housley and Barry Smith will serve as assistants ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Tony Rossi, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams ... Versus will televise all Team USA games in the 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship. A final broadcast schedule will be available in the near future. For more information, visit USAHockey.com.

Team USA 2011 IIHF World Men's Championship Schedule
April 29 - May 15 • Kosice & Bratislava, Slovakia

Date Opponent Location Time (Local/EDT)
Wed., April 27 Austria* Innsbruck 8:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.
Sat., April 30 Austria Kosice 4:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.
Mon., May 2 Norway Kosice 4:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.
Wed., May 4 Sweden Kosice 8:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.
Thurs., May 5-Mon., May 9 Qualification Round Kosice/Bratislava TBD
Thurs., May 5-Sun., May 8 Relegation Round Kosice/Bratislava TBD
Wed., May 11-Thurs., May 12 Quarterfinals Bratislava TBD
Fri., May 13 Semifinals Bratislava TBD
Sun., May 15 Bronze-Medal Game Bratislava 4:00 p.m./10:00 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game Bratislava 8:30 p.m./2:30 p.m.

Arenas: Orange Arena (Bratislava); Steel Arena (Kosice)
*Pre-tournament game at Tiroler Wasserkraft Arena in Innsbruck, Austria

************************************************

Today is Mantanzas Mule Day.

************************************************
 

Touchdown Atlantic tickets on sale May 11th.

Ticats add Canadians to coaching staff.

Bates retires as a lion, joins coaching staff.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

Visit the leagues' official website, http://www.cfl.ca/.

************************************************

               

Find some eggs Jimmy!

************************************************

Today is Morse Code Day. 

************************************************

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins were rained out yesterday. That game will be made up as part of a day/night double header on Thursday, with start times of 1:10pm and 8:10pm EDT. Tonight's first pitch, weather permitting, is set for 8:10pm EDT.

************************************************

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed by natives in the Philippines on this date in 1521.

************************************************

PITTSBURGH -- Someday, Darren Ford will record his first Major League hit. Until then, the Giants will remain content to let him win games for them without wielding a bat.

All he needs is speed.

Ford added to his collection of greatest non-hits Tuesday as the Giants ended their four-game losing streak with a 3-2, 10-inning triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Read the rest here.

************************************************

Today in Elvis History:

1960 - Elvis Presley worked on the soundtrack to "G.I. Blues" in Nashville.

1967 - Elvis Presley completed his work on the movie "Clambake."

1967 - The Elvis Presley movie "Easy Come, Easy Go" premiered in the U.K.

************************************************

Francis Clarke and M.G. Foster patented the electrical hearing aid on this date in 1880. 

************************************************

Today in Beatles History:

1964 - John Lennon's "In His Own Write," a collection of funny poems and drawings, was published in the U.S.

1981 - Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach were married in London. Paul McCartney and George Harrison attended the ceremony.

2003 - In Britain, the Sunday Times reported that Paul McCartney was the Britain's richest musician. His personal fortune was listed as $1.2 billion.

************************************************

The SS African Star was placed in service on this date in 1946. It was the first commercial ship to be equipped with radar.

************************************************      

Today in Sports History:

1899 - The Western Golf Association was founded in Chicago, IL.

1903 - Jamaica Race Track opened in Long Island, NY.

1938 - A colored baseball was used for the first time in any baseball game. The ball was yellow and was used between Columbia and Fordham Universities in New York City.

1947 - "Babe Ruth Day" was celebrated at Yankee Stadium.

1963 - Brian Sternberg set the pole vault record at 16 feet, 5 inches.

1983 - Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) broke a 55-year-old major league baseball record when he struck out his 3,509th batter of his career.

************************************************

"Pampers" were patented by R.C. Duncan on this date in 1965.

************************************************

Coming Up: 

Tonight --

NHL Playoff Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins Time 8:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 8:05pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates 12:35pm EDT

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

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins 8:10pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals 4:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Crown Royal presents the Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals 1:35pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Los Angeles Angels 1:40pm EDT

************************************************

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