Saturday, August 7, 2010

Junior hockey set for another season in Tampa Bay




Junior hockey returns to the Tampa Bay area this month, as the relocated Jacksonville IceDogs begin their first season of play in the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.



The Tampa Bay Juniors will be operating two squads, one that will play in the Met League South(Opening weekend is September 11th and 12th against Palm Beach), and the other that will skate in the Southeast Junior Hockey League(Opening with the SEJHL Florida Showcase in Fort Myers on September 4th and 5th).

Team Owner and Coach Brett Strot must feel like he is caught in a whirlwind as he is juggling both the move of his team and his family and importantly focusing on myriad of items that go with both stocking his team and readying it for its inaugural season in Tampa Bay.

“The U-20 MJHL team provides a perfect companion to our U-18 South East Junior Hockey League team that Hockey International, the parent organization for both clubs will operate in Tampa” said Strot.

He went on to say that “Tampa Bay is an untapped market. We are also getting a boost from the revitalization of the local NHL franchise, the Tampa Bay Lightning. As interest soars about the changes for the Lightning, interest in our junior program is also taking off.”

Moving a hockey team isn’t easy. First there are facilities to find, new logos and uniforms to purchase, housing must be secured and of course players to be signed. To date, despite the short time frame involved with the move, much has been accomplished.

One of the first decisions Strot made after the move to Tampa Bay was to invest in the renovation of the team’s locker rooms. He sees this as a way of “showing his players that ownership intends to place players first.” This is part of Strot's broad goal of “establishing a culture that makes the Tampa Bay organization a place where players are the focus of the entire operation.”

Both teams will have their initial team meetings from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on August 25th at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Arena, with the team "meet and greet" for parents and players set for 7:00pm that same night.

Strot skated for the Madison Capitals of the USHL before playing four years of NCAA Division hockey for the University of Minnesota, before embarking on an 11-year professional career. After retiring as a player, he served as an assistant coach for Jacksonville of the Southern Professional Hockey League before getting into junior hockey ownership and management, initially in Jacksonville with the Ice Dogs and now in Tampa Bay.

Strot also looks to continue past success on the ice and in the placement of players. During the past two seasons, the Ice Dogs have represented the MJHL South at the USA Hockey Tier-III National Championships and have had players signed by the various junior ‘A” Hockey Leagues and colleges in North America.

For more information on the 2010-2011 season of Junior Hockey in Ellenton, please contact Tampa Juniors General Manager Kevin Wolter via email, here or here.


(Thanks to Phil Brand of the MJHL who contributed much of the material for this story.)

It's Saturday!











It's Saturday and another weekend is here. Here's what's happening....

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Today is August 7th, the 219th day of 2010. There are 146 days left in the year.

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Hurricanes seek return to playoffs in '10-'11.

Report: Selanne ready to return.

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It's Lighthouse Day. (Linky Linky)







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USHL game to highlight Motor City Cup.

Despite Gold Medals, Campbell has no job guarantee.

Anthony Day returning to Sioux Falls.

Eager to move on.

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Today is National Mustard Day.







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Team USA Falls to Sweden, 4-1,
at the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp


Budish Scores Lone U.S. Goal

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- Team USA dropped a 4-1 decision to Sweden here this afternoon in its third international game of the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp.

The contest featured 22 of the 28 U.S. players currently participating in the camp and auditioning for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will take part in the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Buffalo, N.Y.

"We needed to take fewer penalties," said Keith Allain, head coach of the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team. "We'll learn from today's game and see how our guys respond against Finland tomorrow."

Sweden scored three goals on consecutive power-play opportunities over a three-minute span in the second period. They extended their lead to 4-0 six minutes into the third period with yet another goal on the man advantage.

Team USA found the back of the net midway through the third period to cut Sweden's lead to three. Patrick Wey (Pittsburgh, Pa.) fired a long snap shot from the blue line that slipped through traffic to the crease. Zach Budish (Edina, Minn.) was there to redirect the shot past Swedish goalie Robin Lehner.

The U.S. could not complete a comeback, however, and took its first loss of the camp. Team USA goalie Zane Gothberg (Grand Forks, N.D.) made 24 saves in the loss, while Lehner turned aside 22 shots in a winning effort.

The U.S. will return to action tomorrow (Aug. 7) at 4 p.m. EDT against Finland in the final game of the camp. A full schedule and results are below.

NOTES: Team USA went 0-for-6 on the power-play, while Sweden was 4-for-10 with the man advantage ... Nick Bjugstad (Blaine, Minn.) leads all players at the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp with six goals in six games against teams from Finland, Sweden and the U.S. ... Bjugstad (6-1--7) and Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J./ 3-4--7) are tied for the camp lead with seven points ... The U.S. has posted a 2-0-0-1 record in international competition at the camp. For full camp coverage, including a live scoring and statistics from the international games, a blog, photos, videos, and rosters, click here ... Team USA's final game against Finland will be webcast at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com ... The 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships will take place Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y., and Niagara University's Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, N.Y. Additional information including a full preliminary-round tournament schedule and ticket details can be found at BuffaloWorldJuniors.com ...The 2011 U.S. National Junior Team will be selected in late December following a pre-tournament camp that will begin in mid-December ... Keith Allain, head men's ice hockey coach at Yale University, will serve as head coach of the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team. Allain will be assisted by Mark Osiecki, head men's ice hockey coach at The Ohio State University; Phil Housley, head boy's ice hockey coach at Stillwater (Minn.) high school; and Joe Exter, USA Hockey's national goaltending coach ... Mark Carlson, head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, and Greg Brown, assistant men's ice hockey coach at Boston College, will also participate in Lake Placid as camp coaches ... Jim Johannson is serving as the general manager of the U.S. National Junior Team for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Tim Taylor, former U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team head coach and longtime Yale University men's ice hockey team head coach, is also serving his second straight year as Team USA's director of player personnel.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

SWE 0 - 3 - 1 - 4
USA 0 - 0 - 1 - 1

First Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: SWE, Ekman-Larsson (high sticking, double-minor), 10:11; USA, Morin (boarding), 16:49.

Second Period - Scoring: 1, SWE, Lander (Almqvist, Paajarvi-Svensson), 5:18 (pp); 2, SWE, Jarnkrok (Wannstrom), 5:52 (pp); 3, SWE, Wallen (Larsson), 7:33 (pp). Penalties: USA, Bourque (hooking), 4:58; USA, Johns (kneeing), 5:37; USA, Morin (high-sticking), 6:31; SWE, Ekman-Larsson (roughing), 8:03; USA, Team (too-many-men), 11:15; USA, Forbort (holding), 18:02.

Third Period - Scoring: 4, SWE, Cehlin (Landeskog, Fasth), 6:17 (pp); 5, USA, Budish (Wey), 11:44. Penalties: USA, Bjugstad (interference), 4:34; USA, Ramage (tripping), 7:14; SWE, Wallen (tripping), 9:19; SWE, Jarnkrok (holding), 13:59; SWE, Wallen (high-sticking), 17:10; USA, Morin (hooking), 17:24; USA, Johns (boarding), 19:57; USA, Morin (roughing, misconduct), 20:00.

Shots by Period
1 2 3
Total
SWE 6 9 13 28
USA 8 6 9 23

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
SWE, Lehner 59:41 8-8 6-6 9-8 23-22
USA, Gothberg 59:57 6-6 9-6 13-12 28-24

Power Play: SWE 4-10; USA 0-6
Penalties: SWE 5-12; USA 12-32

2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp Game Schedule
July 30 - Aug. 7 -- Lake Placid, N.Y.

Date Event* Time (EDT)/Result
Fri., July 30 Blue vs. White Scrimmage WHT 4, BLU 1
Sat., July 31 Blue vs. White Scrimmage WHT 4, BLU 2
Sun., Aug. 1 Blue vs. White Scrimmage WHT 8, BLU 3
Mon., Aug. 2 Finland vs. Sweden SWE 5, FIN 3
Tues., Aug. 3 USA vs. Sweden** USA 6, SWE 3
Wed., Aug. 4 USA vs. Finland** USA 6, FIN 3
Thurs., Aug. 5 Finland vs. Sweden** SWE 6, FIN 2
Fri., Aug. 6 USA vs. Sweden** SWE 4, USA 1
Sat. Aug. 7 USA vs. Finland** 4 p.m.
* all games at USA Rink
** games streamed live at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com

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Today is Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day.

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Following last night's exciting, but disapointing 30-26 loss at Montreal, the 4-2 Saskatchewan Roughriders will return home this coming Thursday, August 12th, to host the BC Lions. The Riders topped the Leos 37-18 in Vancouver on July 10th, behind Darian Durant's 252 yards and 1 touchdown passing, plus 1 rushing touchdown. Kickoff from Mosaic Stadium is set for 9:00pm EDT on 620CKRM and the Rider Radio Network. Listen links are to the right on this blog.

Check out Riderville.com for the latest on "Canada's (And Clearwater, Florida's) Team."

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Today is Professional Speakers Day.

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McCoy, Penn agree to contracts with Buccaneers.

Buccaneers 2010 schedule.

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Today in Sports History:

1907 - Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson won his first major league game by defeating the Indians, 7-2.

1965 - Britain's Jim Clark won his fifth consecutive Grand Prix.

1968 - In his major league debut, Joe Keough (A's) hits a home run in his first at-bat.

1985 - A five-year agreement between the major league baseball players union and team owners ended a two-day mid-season players’ strike. The season resumed the next day.

1987 - Bill Mazeroski's uniform jersey #9 was officially retired from active service by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1999 - Tony Gwynn (San Diego Padres) got his 3,000th hit.

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Two errors turned into two runs last night as the Tampa Bay Rays dropped the first game of their six-game road trip, losing 2-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays, before 22,520 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

The Rays took the lead 1-0 in the first, thanks to a two-out double to left by Willy Aybar that scored Sean Rodriguez.

Tampa Bay gave that run back in the third. After Edwin Encarnacion led off with a double. Jays' catcher Jose Molina drilled a liner to Sean Rodriguez at second, but his throw to try and get the double play ended up in left field, allowing Encarnacion to score from second, tying the game 1-1.

In the seventh, Jose Bautista tapped a chooper to the right side. Rays' pitcher Matt Garza came off the mound and grabbed the ball, but his throw to first got past first baseman Ben Zobrist, allowing Bautista to reach base. Lyle Overbay then ripped a two-out double, scoring Bautista with what turned out to be the winning run in Toronto's 2-1 win.

Brett Cecil picked up the win for the Blue Jays, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, with 9 strike outs and 2 walks in 7 innings. He's now 9-5. Kevin Gregg picked up his 25th save. Matt Garza took the hard-luck loss for Tampa Bay, allowing 2 unearned runs on 4 hits, with 4 strike outs and 0 walks in 8 innings. He's now 11-6.

Carlos Pena will not return to the lineup today as hoped. The first-baseman, diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, has taken a spot on the 15-day Diasbled List, retroactive to last Sunday. His roster spot is being filled by pitcher Dale Thayer, who was recalled from Durham. Thayer has tossed 45 2/3 innings this season, is 2-1 and carries a 3.35 ERA. His last big league appearance with the Rays came last October 4th, when he threw two scoreless innings against the Yankees.... Tonight's second of three games in Toronto will see James Shields(10-9, 4.54) on the hill for Tampa Bay. He'll be opposed by the Blue Jays' Brad Mills(1-0, 0.00).

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Today is Twins Day. (No, it's not in honor of the baseball team, it's for matching siblings. Here's what I don't get though: It's calld a DAY, in honor of two LIKE family members, but runs today through Monday, THREE days. Say what? Man, I hate the new math!)

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The Yankees lead Tampa Bay by 1/2 game in the A.L. East(The Rays lead the Wild Card lead), Boston is 5 back, Toronto trails by 10 1/2 back and Baltimore(who are 4-0 with Buck Showalter as manager) is 31 1/2 games behind.

In the A.L. Central, the White Sox lead Minnesota by 1 1/2 games, Detroit trails by 9, Cleveland is 15 1/2 games behind and Kansas City is 16 games out.

Out in the (not-so)wild A.L. West, Texas leads Oakland by 9 1/2 games, the Angels by 10, and Seattle is 23 1/2 games behind.

In the N.L. East, Atlanta leads Philadelphia by 1 game, The Mets trail by 8 games, Florida is 9 behind with Washington(Stephen Strasburg is expected to pitch this coming Tuesday) trailing by 13 1/2.

In the N.L. Central, Cincinnati leads St. Louis by 1/2 game, Milwaukee is 11 behind, Houston is 14 games behind, the Cubs are 14 1/2 back and Pittsburgh is 23 1/2 games off the pace.

San Diego leads the N.L. West by 1 game over San Francisco(The Giants lead the N.L. Wild Card chase). Colorado is 6 1/2 behind, the Dodgers trail by 8 and Arizona is 22 games back.

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Always start the day with a good breakfast.










Today is Smoke's 5th birthday!










It's also Snoopy's "Gotcha Day!"

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ATLANTA -- The Giants' performance Friday night likely increased the howling from fans and critics who insist that they must add a competent hitter to their roster.

Nevertheless, the Giants can live with the earache after securing a 3-2, 11-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Combined with San Diego's 2-1 loss at Arizona, San Francisco trimmed its National League West deficit to one game behind the first-place Padres.

Read the rest here.

The Giants are 63-47, and close to within 1 game of first-place San Diego in the N.L. West(The Padres lost at Arizona 2-1 Friday). San Francisco currently leads the N.L. Wild Card race by 1 1/2 games over both Philadelphia and St. Louis. San Francisco continues their six game road trip, with tonight's 7:10pm EDT game at Atlanta The Braves host San Francisco again tomorrow, with first pitch set for 1:35pm EDT. The Giants return home on Monday for four games with the Cubs and three big games with division-leading San Diego starting next Friday. Next Saturday's game with the Padres airs on FOX, with the Sunday game against San Diego showing on ESPN.

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Today in Elvis History:

1954 - The August 7, 1954 issue of "The Billboard" Magazine included the following review of the "That's All Right"/"Blue Moon of Kentucky" single. "Presley is a potent new chanter who can sock over a tune for either the country or the r. & b. markets. On this new disk he comes thru with a solid performance on an r. & b.-type tune and then on the flip side does another fine job with a country ditty. A strong new talent."

1965 - Elvis Presley began filming "Paradise Hawaiian Style."

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The Tampa Bay Storm (11-5, 3-3) look to avenge a season-opening loss to the Tulsa Talons (10-6, 6-0) tonight as they travel to the BOK Center to take on the Southwest Division champs in the Divisional Round of the 2010 AFL Playoffs. In the season opener, the Talons defeated the Storm 69-58 at the BOK Center April 3.

Tulsa enters the contest as winners in four of its last five, while Tampa Bay comes in as losers in two of its last three after putting together a season-high eight-game winning streak.


Who: Tampa Bay Storm vs. Tulsa Talons

What: AFL Playoffs – Divisional Round

When: Saturday, August 7, 2010
Kickoff – 8:05 PM EST on 1250AM WHNZ

Where: BOK Center
200 South Denver
Tulsa, OK 74103

For more information regarding playoff schedule and tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, call 813.301.6600 or log on to http://www.tampabaystorm.com/.

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Today in Beatles History

1957 - The Quarry Men made their Cavern Club debut in Liverpool. Paul McCartney was not with the band at the debut.

1988 - Paul McCartney refuted author Albert Goldman's statement that John Lennon was gay. McCartney said, "If John were gay, you'd think he'd have made a pass at me at least once in 20 years."

1989 - Paul McCartney's album "Flowers In The Dirt" was certified gold by the RIAA.

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Bolt from the blue: Daren Puppa.

Bolt from the blue: Manon Rheaume.

Season tickets on sale now.

2010 Preseason schedule.

2010-2011 Regular Season schedule.

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Today is Purple Heart Day. (Please be sure to thank a vet for the service.)

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Coming up:

Tonight --

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series: Zippo 200 at the glen at Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen International, New York 1:30pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

Arena Football: AFL Divisional Round Playoff Game Tampa Bay Storm at Tulsa Talons 8:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series: Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the glen at Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen International, New York 1:00pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 1:35pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series: Honda Indy 200 presented by Westfield Insurance at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio 2:30pm EDT

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That's all for today. See you tomorrow!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Montreal tips Riders by 4








While it may not have risen to the magnitude of their week one Canada Day Classic, it was another exciting clash between the two best teams in the CFL, with the the Montreal Alouettes knocking down a desperation end zone heave on the game's final play, to beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 30-26 tonight at Molson Percival Stadium in Montreal.

Montreal scored quickly, going 89 yards in 2 plays, with Anthony Calvillo hitting S.J. Green for a 67 yard catch-and-run to the Rider 22, with Kerry Watkins catching a 22 yard scoring strike on the next play. Damon Duval converted, giving the Als a 7-0 lead just 78 seconds into the game. Montreal intercepted an ill-advised shovel pass deep in Saskatchewan territory, but came away with only 3 points, as Duval kicked an 11 yard field goal, putting the Alouettes up 10-0, with 9:47 remaining in the quarter. Saskatchewan cranked up the offense on their next possession, driving 75 yards in 5 plays, ending with a Darian Durant to Weston Dressler 20 yard touchdown pass. Luca Congi converted, drawing the Riders to within 3 at 10-7, with 6:44 still on the 1st quarter clock.

In the 2nd quarter, Montreal drove deep into Saskatchewan territory and appeared to turn the ball over on a fumble at the Rider 12, but a penalty gave the Als a second chance, which they converted into a Calvillo to Jamel Richardson 8 yard touchdown pass. Duval toed the point with 9:17 left in the half, putting Montreal up 17-7. The Alouettes would tack on another major score inside the final 2 minutes. Congi missed a 43 yard field goal wide right, and just like on Canada Day when Tim Maypray returned a missed field goal 125 yards for a touchdown, he took this one back 118 yards for six points. Duval converted with 1:56 left, pushing Montreal's lead to 24-7. Saskatchewan responded with a Congi field goal from 35 yards out with 10 seconds to go, and just like in the Canada Day Classic 54-51 O.T. win by the Roughriders, the teams would hit two-quarter time with the Als leading 24-10.

Montreal's lead grew to 27-10 with 5:35 to go in the third, as Duval bombed a 46 yard field goal. Congi responded with a35 yard field goal for Saskatchewan with 2:36 still to play in the 3rd, bringing the Roughriders back to within 11, at 27-16.

Saskatchewan would make it a 4 point game early in the final quarter, driving deep into Alouette territory, capping a 9 play, 77 yard drive with a 6 yard touchdown pass from Durant to Wes Cates, who was wide open along the left side of the endzone. Congi's convert with 12:22 to go in regulation time, brought the Riders to within 4, at 27-23. Montreal went 2-and-out on their next turn with the ball, but got a 52 yard punt single by Duval with 10:45 left in the 4th, inching the Als lead back up to 5, at 28-23.

Saskatchewan answered with Congi's 4th field goal of the night, 11th in the past two games, this one from 46 yards out, cutting the Montreal lead to 28-26, with 6:44 still on the scoreboard clock. On their next possession, Riders' quarterback Durant scrambled out of trouble and threw cross-field to Andy Fantuz, who nearly made a circus catch. However, and most unfortunately, the ball bounced off his hands, then his chest and into the hands of Chip Cox, giving the Als the ball at the Montreal 47 with 4:08 remaining. On first down, Calvillo threw incomplete under big pressure, ending up with an injured index finger on his throwing hand and leaving the game. Chris Leak threw incomplete on the next play and Saskatchewan would get the ball back with plenty of time to take the lead. However, a holding penalty while the ball was in the air, pushed the Riders from decent position, into the shadow of his own goal post. That would prove to be big as on second down, Durant was tackled in the endzone for a safety touch by J.P. Bekasiak with 2:42 remaining, with the Alouettes growing the lead to 30-26 and forcing Saskatchewan to score a touchdown to win the game. First though, the Riders had to hold Montreal to a 2-and-out, getting the ball back at their own 32 with 2:05 still to play. Saskatchewan would gain three first downs to move the ball to centrefield, with still 32 seconds to play. Durant threw incomplete twice, forcing the Riders into one final play to win, with just 4.9 seconds to go. Durant, with time, heaved the ball to the endzone for Fantuz, but Etienne Boulay knocked the ball away, giving Montreal the 30-26 win.

For the Alouettes, Anthony Calvillo was 17-of-25 passing for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns, Chris Leak was 1-of-2 for 4 yards. Jamel Richardson had 7 catches for 65 yards and 1 touchdown, Kerry Watkins caught 4 balls for 72 yards and a touchdown, Damon Duval kicked 2 field goals, 3 converts and a punt single, Tim Maypray ran a missed field goal back 118 yards for a touchdown and J.P. Bekasiak recorded a safety touch on a quarterback sack. For Saskatchewan, Darian Durant, sick all week with intestinal problems, was 35-of-62 passing for 445 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Weston Dressler caught 13 passess for 169 yards and 1 touchdown, Wes Cates had 8 catches for 59 yards and 1 touchdown, while rushing 5 times for 31 yards. Luca Congi kicked 4 field goals and 2 converts and has now kicked 11 field goals in the past two games. Montreal had 284 totals yards, 11 first downs, with just 1 of those coming in the second half. The allowed 3 sacks, did not turn the ball over, and were penalized 7 times for 92 yards. The Riders had 483 yards, 31 first downs, 18 of those in the second half. They allowed 3 sacks turned the ball over twice and were called for 4 penalties for 35 yards.

With the win, the Alouettes move to 5-1 and remain atop the CFL East. Saskatchewan slipped to 4-2 and depending on the outcome of Calgary's game at BC tomorrow night, will either be in second, or still tied for first in the CFL West.

Next up for the Riders, is a Thursday, August 12th matchup with the BC Lions at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Kick off is set for 9:00pm EDT on 620 CKRM, TSN and the Rider Radio Network. Montreal next plays on Saturday, August 14th at Toronto. Kickoff is 7:30pm EDT.


Riders at Montreal tonight








The 4-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders are in Montreal tonight for a CFL week six matchup with the 4-1 Alouettes.

Montreal scored quickly, going 89 yards in 2 plays, with Anthony Calvillo hitting S.J. Green for a 67 yard catch-and-run to the Rider 22, with Kerry Watkins catching a 22 yard scoring strike on the next play. Damon Duval converted, giving the Als a 7-0 lead just 78 seconds into the game. Montreal intercepted an ill-advised shovel pass deep in Saskatchewan territory, but came away with only 3 points, as Duval kicked an 11 yard field goal, putting the Alouettes up 10-0, with 9:47 remaining in the quarter. Saskatchewan cranked up the offense on their next possession, driving 75 yards in 5 plays, ending with a Darian Durant to Weston Dressler 20 yard touchdown pass. Luca Congi converted, drawing the Riders to within 3 at 10-7, with 6:44 still on the 1st quarter clock.

In the 2nd quarter, Montreal drove deep into Saskatchewan territory and appeared to turn the ball over on a fumble at the Rider 12, but a penalty gave the Als a second chance, which they converted into a Calvillo to Jamal Richardson 8 yard touchdown pass. Duval toed the point with 9:17 left in the half, putting Montreal up 17-7. The Alouettes would tack on another major score inside the final 2 minutes. Congi missed a 43 yard field goal wide right, and just like on Canada Day when Tim Maypray returned a missed field goal 125 yards for a touchdown, he took this one back 118 yards for six points. Duval converted with 1:56 left, pushing Montreal's lead to 24-7. Saskatchewan responded with a Congi field goal from 35 yards out with 10 seconds to go, and just like in the Canada Day Classic 54-51 O.T. win by the Roughriders, the teams would hit two-quarter time with the Als leading 24-10.

You can catch the second half of tonight's game with Rod Pedsersen and Carm Carteri right now on the Rider Radio Network. Listen link is to the right on this blog.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

It's Friday!











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

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Before I get to the usual blog stuff, I just want to mention that my wife Kim and I are celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary today!










I love you very much Dear. Thanks for saying yes!

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Today is August 6th, the 218th day of 2010. There are 147 days left in the year.

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Where in the World is Stanley Cup?

It's official: Wings sign Modano to 1-year deal.

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It's National Root Beer Float Day.

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Riley Barber headed to Dubuque.

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Vacationers on a budget might want to consider an economical getaway next weekend: On August 14th and 15th all national parks will be open to the public at no charge.

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Battling the champs in their backyard.

Roster set for tonight's game.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders take their 4-1 record on the road tonight, when they take on the Montreal Alouettes for the second time this season. Kickoff from Montreal is set for 7:00pm EDT on 620CKRM and the Rider Radio Network. Listen links are to the right on this blog.

Check out Riderville.com for the latest on "Canada's (And Clearwater, Florida's) Team."

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Florida police responding to a report of a break-in said they found the intruder sleeping naked on a couch inside the home. He was arrested and charged with burglary.

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Today in Sports History:

1879 - The first Australian rules football game to be played at night took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game was to promote the introduction of electricity to the city of Melbourne.

1890 - Cy Young achieved his first major league victory. He would accumulate 511 in his career.

1926 - Gertrude Ederle became the first American woman to swim the English Channel. She was 19 years old at the time. The swim took her 14 1/2 hours.

1949 - Chicago White Sox player Luke Appling played in the 2,154th game of his 19-year, major league career.

1952 - Satchel Paige, at age 46, became the oldest pitcher to complete a major league baseball game.

1969 - The first fair ball to be hit completely out of Dodger Stadium occurred. Willie "Pops" Stargell, of the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit the ball 506 feet from home plate.

1981 - Lee Trevino was disqualified from the PGA Championship in Duluth, GA when he had his scorecard signed by Tom Weiskopf instead of himself.

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A Bronx, New York, woman was arrested after robbing a fast food joint. When police caught up to her they hauled her off to jail where they found a $20 bill and two glass pipes tucked up where the sun don't shine.

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It's not unusual for a team to lose a game here-or-there over a 162 game schedule. But, it was how the Tampa Bay Rays lost yesterday that has them upset, as they dropped an 8-6 heartbreaker to the Minnesota Twins, before a surprisingly large Thursday afternoon crowd of 29,210 at Tropicana Field.

It was a strange game from start-to-finish. Before the fans barely had a chance to settle into their seats, the Twins jumped on Tampa Bay starter Wade David for four first-inning runs. Alexi Casilla scored on a one-out double by Joe Maurer, Maurer scored on Delmon Young's double, Young scored on Jason Kubel's single and Kubel scored on J.J. Hardy's two-out single.

Minnesota built the lead with a fifth-inning homer by Jason Repko, and a sixth-inning double by Drew Butera that scored Hardy, giving the Twins a 6-0 lead.

The Rays, who showed few signs of life Thursday, finally woke up from their afternoon slumber in the bottom of the eighth-inning. B.J. Upton led off the inning with his 10th homer of the season to make it 6-1. Then, with two outs, Tampa Bay got busy. A bases-loaded walk to Willy Aybar forced in Kelly Shoppach, cutting the deficit to 6-2. Then Jason Bartlett, pinch-hitting for Matt Joyce, took a 1-0 pitch and deposited it into the first row of the left field bleachers, scoring Sean Rodriguez, Evan Longoria and Aybar, tying the game at 6-6. And if you found that strange, you hadn't seen anything yet.

With two-outs and runners at the corners in the top of the ninth, Kubel sent a ball up the shaft into the infield. With Rays' shortstop Bartlett under the ball and waiting to make the inning-ending catch, the ball struck the catwalk over fair territory, droipping to the ground untouched for a base hit. Jason Repko trotted home with the go-ahead run, then moments later, Young scored on a line single to left by Michael Cuddyer, putting Minnesota up by a deuce, at 8-6.

John Jaso drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth, but that's as close as Tampa Bay would get to another rally, dropping the game 8-6 to the Twins.

Needless to say, Rays' manager Joe Maddon was none too happy after the game.

"I know it works both ways, but to lose a game in a pennant situation like that, because of a roof, truly indicates why there's a crying need for a new ballpark in this area, regardless of where they put it," Rays manager Joe Maddon said, referring to the club's desire for a new stadium. "It just needs to be a real baseball field where, if you lose the pennant by one game and look back at a game like that, because the roof got in the way, we'd be very upset."

Matt Capps, the fourth Minnesota pitcher of the eighth-inning got the win. In 1 1/3 innings, he fanned 3 and walked 1, while not allowing a hit or a run. He's now 4-3.
For Tampa Bay, Joaquin Benoit was tagged with the loss, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, with no strike outs and 1 walk in 1 inning. He's now 0-1.

The Rays fall to 67-41, and are again in second place in the A.L. East, 1/2 game nehind the Yankees. Tampa Bay hits the road for six games, beginning with 3 at Toronto starting at 7:07pm EDT tonight, followed by 1:07pm EDT starts both Saturday and Sunday. A three-game set at Detroit starts Monday, then the Rays return home for 3 games with Baltimore and 3 against Texas, starting next Friday. You can follow the Rays on 620AM WDAE and the Rays Radio Network. All games through Friday, September 3rd, can be seen on Sun Sports. The Saturday August 14th game against Detroit will be on FOX.

Notes: Tampa Bay's top pick in the June first-year player draft, outfielder Josh Sale of Bishop Blancet High School in Seattle, Washington, is still unsigned. The Rays have until August 16th to sign him....Andy Sonnanstine made a rehab start last night for Class A Charlotte. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits, with 4 strike outs and 1 walk in 1 1/3 innings. The Stone Crabs scored a run in the ninth to beat Lakeland 4-3....In tonight's first of three games in Toronto, Matt Garza(11-5, 4.11) will start for Tampa Bay. He'll be opposed by the Blue Jays' Brett Cecil(8-5, 3.77).

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Elena Kagan was confirmed by the Senate yesterday. (After blowing away Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg in the 50 yard dash.)

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The Yankees lead Tampa Bay by 1/2 game in the A.L. East(The Rays lead the Wild Card lead), Boston is 6 back, Toronto trails by 11 1/2 back and Baltimore(who are 3-0 with Buck Showalter as manager) is 32 1/2 games behind.

In the A.L. Central, the White Sox lead Minnesota by 1 1/2 games, Detroit trails by 9, Kansas City is 16 games behind and Cleveland is 16 1/2 games out.

Out in the (not-so)wild A.L. West, Texas leads Oakland by 8 1/2 games, the Angels by 10, and Seattle is 23 1/2 games behind.

In the N.L. East, Atlanta leads Philadelphia by 2 games, The Mets trail by 8 games, Florida is 9 behind with Washington(Stephen Strasburg is expected to pitch next Tuesday) trailing by 14 1/2.

In the N.L. Central, Cincinnati leads St. Louis by 1/2 game, Milwaukee is 11 behind, Houston is 13 games behind, the Cubs are 13 1/2 back and Pittsburgh is 22 1/2 games off the pace.

San Diego leads the N.L. West by 2 games over San Francisco(The Giants lead the N.L. Wild Card chase). Colorado is 7 1/2 behind, the Dodgers trail by 8 and Arizona is 23 games back.

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Jimmy hangs out with Mommy.

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The San Francisco Giants lost ground in the N.L. West pennant race yesterday, losing at Atlanta 3-2, in front of 24,538 fans at Turner Field in Atlanta.

The Giants built a 2-0 lead, as Andres Torres scored on Aubrey Huff's first-inning ground out and Torres' second-inning double that scored Aaron Rowand. Alex Gonzalez homered in the second with Rick Ankiel on base for Atlanta, tying the game 2-2. Eric Hinske, celebrated his 34th birthday in style, hitting his 9th homer of the year in the sixth-inning, giving the Braves the run they would need for the 3-2 win.

Jerr Jurrjens went 6 innings for Atlanta, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits, with 3 strike outs and 3 walks. The win evens his record at 3-3. Billy Wagner picked up his 26th save. Tim Lincecum took the loss for San Francisco, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out 7 and walking just 3, but allowing 2 homers, to drop to 11-5.

The Giants are 62-47, and are now 2 games behind first-place San Diego in the N.L. West(The Padres blanked the Dodgers 5-0 Thursday). San Francisco currently leads the N.L. Wild Card race by 1 1/2 games over both Philadelphia and St. Louis. San Francisco continues their six game road trip, with tonight's 10:35pm EDT game at Atlanta, with the final game against the Braves starting at 1:35pm EDT on Sunday. The Giants return home on Monday for four games with the Cubs and three big games with division-leading San Diego starting next Friday. Next Saturday's game with the Padres airs on FOX, with the Sunday game against San Diego showing on ESPN.

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Today in Elvis History:

1955 - Elvis Presley's single "Mystery Train" was released.

1966 - Elvis Presley's single "Love Letters" hit #6 in the U.K.

1994 - Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley made a public appearance in Budapest. Jackson was shooting a video.

2002 - The "Elvis, Then & Now" book-a-zine went on sale.

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With sale done, Rangers look to future.

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Today is the start of Hobo Week. (Somehow they get credit for a whole week, even though Hobo Week actually lasts 4 days.)

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From http://www.tampabaystorm.com

In the Huddle with JD

By Jason Dixon

Coaches like to speak of “the second season.” You play the regular season to make it to the second season. For the Tampa Bay Storm, the second season will start the same way the first season did, with a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma to take on the Tulsa Talons.

Read the rest here.

The Tampa Bay Storm (11-5, 3-3) look to avenge a season-opening loss to the Tulsa Talons (10-6, 6-0) on Saturday as they travel to the BOK Center to take on the Southwest Division champs in the Divisional Round of the 2010 AFL Playoffs. In the season opener, the Talons defeated the Storm 69-58 at the BOK Center April 3.

Tulsa enters the contest as winners in four of its last five, while Tampa Bay comes in as losers in two of its last three after putting together a season-high eight-game winning streak.


Who: Tampa Bay Storm vs. Tulsa Talons

What: AFL Playoffs – Divisional Round

When: Saturday, August 7, 2010
Kickoff – 8:05 PM EST on 1250AM WHNZ

Where: BOK Center
200 South Denver
Tulsa, OK 74103

For more information regarding playoff schedule and tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, call 813.301.6600 or log on to http://www.tampabaystorm.com/.

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Today in Beatles History

1960 - The Beatles scouted a drummer named Pete Best. Best was playing at the Casbah Coffee Club.

1965 - The Beatles album "Help!" was released in the U.K.

2002 - The album "King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents" was released by Ringo Starr and His New All-Starr Band.

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Tod Leiweke named Lightning C.E.O.

Lightning Sign Free Agent Center Mike Angelidis.

2010 Preseason schedule.

2010-2011 Regular Season schedule.

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Today is National Fresh Breath Day.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

CFL Football: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Montreal Alouettes 7:00pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:35pm EDT

Saturday --

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series: Zippo 200 at the glen at Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen International, New York 1:30pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

Arena Football: AFL Divisional Round Playoff Game Tampa Bay Storm at Tulsa Talons 8:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series: Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the glen at Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen International, New York 1:00pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 1:35pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series: Honda Indy 200 presented by Westfield Insurance at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio 2:30pm EDT

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That's all for today. See you tomorrow!

It's Thursday!











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

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Today is August 5th, the 217th day of 2010. There are 148 days left in the year.

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Heritage Classic comes to Canada.

Bruins try to forget playoff meltdown.

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It's National Waffle Day.

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Donor found for Mandi Schwartz, sister of Storm forward Jaden Schwartz.

Gopher roster filled out, includes several USHL alums.

Former Rider Watson signs with CHL Sundogs.

Former Lancer Kristo begins sophomore year at UND.

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Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, turns 80 today.

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Team USA Tops Finland, 6-3,
at the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp


Bjugstad Scores Twice in Victory

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- For the second consecutive game, Team USA jumped out to a 4-0 lead en route to a 6-3 win over Finland here at the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp.

The contest featured 22 of the 28 U.S. players currently participating in the camp and auditioning for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will take part in the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Buffalo, N.Y.

"I thought we displayed a lot more synergy tonight," said Keith Allain, head coach of the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team. "Once again, we jumped out to a quick lead, which is something we definitely want to carry into Buffalo."

The U.S. took an early 1-0 lead with a power-play goal less than three minutes into the game. Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.) collected a feed from Adam Clendening (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) and snapped a shot over the blocker of Jonathan Iilahti from above the left circle.

Midway through the first period, Team USA grabbed a two-goal advantage when Nick Bjugstad (Blaine, Minn.) buried a rebound opportunity off of a shot by Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, Minn.). Chris Brown (Flower Mound, Texas) made the score 3-0 heading into the first intermission when he intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, chipped the puck over a defenseman and lifted a shot past Iilahti's glove.

Less than five minutes into the second period, Brock Nelson (Minneapolis, Minn.) gave the U.S. a 4-0 lead with a tap-in power-play goal from the crease. Then, following a Finland goal by Julius Junttila, Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass.) redirected a floating wrist shot by Derek Forbort (Duluth, Minn.) between Iilahti's pads to restore Team USA's four-goal edge.

Finland cut the U.S. lead to three again while on the two-man advantage. But Bjugstad notched his second of the game from the right side of the net with less than 10 seconds remaining in the period to give Team USA a 6-2 lead after two.

Finland scored the lone goal of the third period, but could not mount a comeback. U.S. goalie Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y.) made 18 saves in the win, while Iilahti turned aside 20 shots in a losing effort.

The U.S. will return to action Friday (Aug. 6) at 4 p.m. EDT against Sweden. A full camp schedule is below.

NOTES: Team USA went 2-for-4 on the power-play, while Finland was 2-for-6 with the man advantage ... Nick Bjugstad leads all players at the 2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp with six goals in five games against teams from Finland, Sweden and the U.S. ... Bjugstad (6-1--7) and Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J./ 3-4--7) are tied for the camp lead with seven points in five games ... The U.S. improved to 2-0-0-0 in international competition, having defeated Sweden yesterday (Aug. 3), 6-3 ...For full camp coverage, including a live scoring and statistics from the international games, a blog, photos, videos, and rosters, click here ... All four of the remaining international games featuring the U.S., Finland and Sweden will be webcast at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com ... The 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships will take place Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y., and Niagara University's Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, N.Y. Additional information including a full preliminary-round tournament schedule and ticket details can be found at BuffaloWorldJuniors.com ...The 2011 U.S. National Junior Team will be selected in late December following a pre-tournament camp that will begin in mid-December ... Keith Allain, head men's ice hockey coach at Yale University, will serve as head coach of the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team. Allain will be assisted by Mark Osiecki, head men's ice hockey coach at The Ohio State University; Phil Housley, head boy's ice hockey coach at Stillwater (Minn.) high school; and Joe Exter, USA Hockey's national goaltending coach ... Mark Carlson, head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, and Greg Brown, assistant men's ice hockey coach at Boston College, will also participate in Lake Placid as camp coaches ... Jim Johannson is serving as the general manager of the U.S. National Junior Team for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Tim Taylor, former U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team head coach and longtime Yale University men's ice hockey team head coach, is also serving his second straight year as Team USA's director of player personnel.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

FIN 0 - 2 - 1 - 3
USA 3 - 3 - 0 - 6

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Morin (Clendening), 2:32 (pp); 2, USA, Bjugstad (Faulk, Bennett), 12:44; 3, USA, Brown (unassisted), 12:14. Penalties: FIN, Rissanen (hooking), 1:11; USA, Brickley (high-sticking), 8:32; USA, Etem (hooking), 13:19; FIN, Jokipakka (tripping), 17:50.

Second Period - Scoring: 4, USA, Nelson (Saad, Forbort), 4:41 (pp); 5, FIN, Junttila (Haula), 8:46; 6, USA, Kreider (Forbort, Morin), 13:28; 7, FIN, Rissanen (Hakanpaa, Donskoi), 17:53 (5x3 pp); 8, USA, Bjugstad (Bennett, Etem), 19:50. Penalties: FIN, Haula (goaltender interference), 3:55; FIN, Jokipakka (hooking), 6:24; USA, Brown (tripping), 8:49; USA, Clendening (cross-checking, game misconduct), 14:02; USA, Samuelsson (cross-checking), 16:10.

Third Period - Scoring: 9, FIN, Partanen (Rajala, Nattinen), 4:01 (pp). Penalties: USA, Nelson (tripping), 3:18.

Shots by Period 1 2 3 Total
FIN 2 12 7 21
USA 12 6 8 26

Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
FIN, Iilahti 60:00 12-9 6-3 8-8 26-20
USA, Iles 60:00 2-2 12-10 7-6 21-18

Power Play: FIN 2-6; USA 2-4
Penalties: FIN 4-8; USA 7-25

2010 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp Game Schedule
July 30 - Aug. 7 -- Lake Placid, N.Y.

Date Event* Time (EDT)/Result
Fri., July 30 Blue vs. White Scrimmage WHT 4, BLU 1
Sat., July 31 Blue vs. White Scrimmage WHT 4, BLU 2
Sun., Aug. 1 Blue vs. White Scrimmage WHT 8, BLU 3
Mon., Aug. 2 Finland vs. Sweden SWE 5, FIN 3
Tues., Aug. 3 USA vs. Sweden** USA 6, SWE 3
Wed., Aug. 4 USA vs. Finland** USA 6, FIN 3
Thurs., Aug. 5 Finland vs. Sweden** 4 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 6 USA vs. Sweden** 4 p.m.
Sat. Aug. 7 USA vs. Finland** 4 p.m.

* all games at USA Rink
** games streamed live at USAHockey.FASTHockey.com


2010 USA Hockey Winter World University Games Evaluation Camp to Take Place This Weekend
2011 Winter World University Games Set for Jan. 27-Feb. 6 in Erzurum, Turkey

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The 2010 USA Hockey Winter World University Games Evaluation Camp will be held Friday-Sunday (Aug. 6-8), at the Patterson Ice Center, in Grand Rapids, Mich. The players attending the camp will be auditioning for a spot on the U.S. Men's and Women's National University Teams that will take part in the 2011 Winter World University Games, Jan. 27-Feb. 6, 2011, in Erzurum, Turkey. The U.S. teams will be comprised of players from men's and women's collegiate ice hockey teams affiliated with the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

For the men, the evaluation camp will consist of four teams, each with 20-22 players, competing in a three-game, round-robin format, while the women's camp will consist of two teams, each with 20-22 players, competing in a three-game series. Following the camp, 22 players will be chosen to compete on both the 2011 U.S. Men's and Women's National University Teams. Six alternates will be chosen for each team as well.

The complete men's camp roster can be found here and the women's camp roster can be found here.

Dave Debol (Saline, Mich.), in his sixth season as head coach at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, will serve as head coach of the U.S. Men's National University Team. He served as an assistant coach in both 2007 (Turin, Italy) and 2009 (Harbin, China).
Mo Stroemel (State College, Pa.), who is beginning his fourth season as head coach of the Penn State University Lady Icers, will serve as head coach of the U.S. Women's National University Team. This marks his first Winter World University Games, as the U.S. is sending a women's team for the first time.

NOTES: Scott Balboni (State College, Pa.), who is in his fifth season as head coach at Penn State University, will return as an assistant coach for the men's team, after serving as an assistant coach with Debol at the 2009 Winter World University Games. Vince O'Mara (St. Louis, Mo.), who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Lindenwood University Lady Lions, will serve as assistant coach for the women's team. A second assistant coach for each team will be selected from the coaches attending the Winter World University Games Evaluation Camp ... Dr. Alan Murdoch (Ames, Iowa), head coach at Iowa State University, will serve as general manager of the men's team for the fifth consecutive time. Murdoch also served as head coach of the 2001 squad that competed at the Winter World University Games in Zakopane, Poland. The general manager for the women's team has not yet been named ... Ashley Bevan (Colorado Springs, Colo.), director of adult hockey for USA Hockey, will be the team leader for both the men's and women's teams. This is his fifth consecutive Winter World University Games serving as team leader ... For more information on the 2010 USA Hockey Winter World University Games Evaluation Camp, visit the ACHA website, ACHAHockey.org. For more information on the 2011 Winter World University Games, click here.

2010 Winter World University Games Evaluation Camp Schedule Aug. 6-8 - Grand Rapids, Mich. - Patterson Ice Center
Date
Event
Time (EDT)
Fri., Aug. 6
Women's Scrimmage
4:00 p.m.

Men's Scrimmage
6:30 p.m.

Men's Scrimmage
9:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 7
Women's Practices
7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Men's Practices
8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Women's Goalie Sessions
10:00 - 10:25 a.m.

Men's Goalie Sessions
10:25-11:15 a.m.

Women's Scrimmage
3:00 p.m.

Men's Scrimmage
5:30 p.m.

Men's Scrimmage
8:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 8
Women's Scrimmage
7:00 a.m.

Men's Scrimmage
9:30 a.m.

Men's Scrimmage
12:00 p.m.

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Canadians swear more than Britains and Americans, according to a new study. The poll found 56 percent of Canadian respondents admitted to using profanity on a regular or occasional basis. (How's it goin', you blankity-blank, freekin' no-good, so-and-so, eh?)

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Fantuz named Canadian Player of the Month.

Congi and Fantuz named Players of the Week.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders take their 4-1 record on the road this coming Friday, when they take on the Montreal Alouettes for the second time this season. Kickoff from Montreal is set for 7:00pm EDT on 620CKRM and the Rider Radio Network. Listen links are to the right on this blog.

Check out Riderville.com for the latest on "Canada's (And Clearwater, Florida's) Team."

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A guy in Florida wanted to refill his supply of booze and decided a call to 911 was the way to get it. Personnel on the other end of the line turned him down...twice. After the guy's second call for a ride to the liquor store police showed up and gave him a ride to jail.

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Today in Sports History:

1921 - The first play-by-play broadcast of a baseball game was done by Harold Arlin. KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, PA described the action between the Pirates and Philadelphia.

1960 - For the first time two major league baseball clubs traded managers. Detroit traded Jimmy Dykes for Cleveland's Joe Gordon.

1984 - Toronto’s Cliff Johnson set a major league baseball record by hitting the 19th pinch-hit home run in his career.

1999 - Mark McGwire (St. Louis Cardinals) hit his 500th career homerun. He also set a record for the fewest at-bats to hit the 500 homerun mark.

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China wants to host the World Cup in 2026. (That way it'll be easier for them to use their 12-year-old goalkeeper.)

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Former Tampa Bay Devil Ray Delmon Young's RBI single in the 13th inning was the difference last night, as the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1, before 19,172 at Tropicana Field.

Starter David Price, who finished with 7 strike outs, 2 walks while allowing just 5 hits, was seemingly in-and-out of trouble throughout his entire 7 inning stint, but left allowing just a second inning, two-out RBI double to Jason Repko, that drove home Danny Valencio, giving Minnesota a 1-0 lead, an advantage that would last until the bottom of the ninth.

Minnesota starter Scott Baker, who allowed 0 runs on 3 hits, with 7 strike outs and 1 walk, turned the game over to his bullpen in the ninth. However, the Rays were able to rally. Evan Longoria stroked a lead-off double against Matt Capps. Longoria advanced to third on a fly-out to right by Matt Joyce, then came home on a single to right by Dan Johnson, tying the game 1-1.

The tie lasted until the top of the 13th. Alexi Casilla led off the inning for the Twins with a walk, moved to third on a single to right by Joe Maurer, then scored on Young's line single to left. Tampa Bay was unable to rally, going down in order in their half of the 13th and Minnesota had the 2-1 win.

Matt Guerrier, who allowed the game-winning 3-run homer by Matt Joyce Tuesday night picked up the win for the Twins, pitching two perfect innings with 1 strike out, to improves to 2-6. Lance Cormier, pitching for the Rays for the first time since a July 20th appearance against Baltimore, allowed 1 run on 3 hits, with 2 strike outs and 1 walk and took the loss, slipping to 3-3.

The Rays fall to 67-40, and are once again tied for first place in the A.L. East with New York. The final game of the four-game set against the Minnesota Twins, which also wraps up this season-high 11-game home stand is this afternoon, starting at 12:10pm EDT. After today's game, Tampa Bay hits the road for six games, starting with 3 at Toronto starting at 7:07pm EDT tomorrow night, followed by 1:07pm EDT starts both Saturday and Sunday. A three-game set at Detroit starts Monday, then the Rays return home for 3 games with Baltimore and 3 against Texas, starting next Friday. You can follow the Rays on 620AM WDAE and the Rays Radio Network. All games through Friday, September 3rd, can be seen on Sun Sports. The Saturday August 14th game against Detroit will be on FOX.

Notes: Wade Davis, 9-9 with a 4.21 ERA gets the start today for Tampa Bay. Kevin Slowey, 10-5 with a 4.44 ERA, starts for the Twins....Wade Davis was announced yesterday as the recipient of the Gillette presents American League Rookie of the Month Award. He's the first pitcher to win the award this season and the fourth Rays player in history named for the honor. Closer Rafael Soriano won the MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award....Carlos Pena is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday. He's been out with a slight ligament tear in his right foot. Training staff says hge can't do any further damage to the injury, but will have to play with some degree of pain for the rest of the season. He could be available for pinch-hitting duty today.

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Today is International Beer Day. (Yes, there's a linky linky.)

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The Yankees and Tampa Bay are tied for first in the A.L. East(They're also tied for the Wild Card lead), 6 1/2 games ahead of Boston. Toronto is 11 1/2 back and Baltimore(who've won two-straight with Buck Showalter as manager) is 33 games behind.

In the A.L. Central, the White Sox lead Minnesota by 1 1/2 games, Detroit trails by 8, Kansas City and Cleveland are 15 1/2 games behind.

Out in the (not-so)wild A.L. West, Texas leads Oakland by 8 games, the Angels by 9, and Seattle is 22 1/2 games behind.

In the N.L. East, Atlanta leads Philadelphia by 2 games, The Mets trail by 7 1/2 games, Florida is 8 behind with Washington(Stephen Strasburg is expected to pitch next Tuesday) trailing by 13 1/2.

In the N.L. Central, Cincinnati leads St. Louis by 1/2 game, Milwaukee is 11 behind, Houston is 13 games behind, the Cubs are 13 1/2 back and Pittsburgh is 23 games off the pace.

San Diego leads the N.L. West by 1 game over San Francisco(The Giants lead the N.L. Wild Card chase). Colorado is 6 1/2 behind, the Dodgers trail by 7 and Arizona is 23 games back.

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From one year ago today, Jimmy hangs out with Grandma.










From one year ago today, here's my family.

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Ubaldo Jimenez won his Major League best 17th game last night, and Carlos Gonzalez socked a pair of homers, leading the Colorado Rockies to a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants yesterday, in front of 37,728 fans at Coors Field in Denver.

Gonzalez belted a two-run homer in the fifth inning, giving the Rockies a 4-0 lead. His second homer of the game, a two-out liner to right-center, put his team up 5-1. The twin blasts give him 23 for the season. San Francisco scored their one run in the sixth inning when, with two outs, Buster Posey doubled home Aubrey Huff.

Jimenez went 7 innings for Colorado, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, with 9 strike outs and 2 walks. He's now 17-2. Madison Bumgarner took the loss for the Giants, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits, with 3 strike outs and 1 walk in 4 innings. He's now 4-4.

The Giants are 62-46, and remain just 1 game behind first-place San Diego in the N.L. West(The Padres lost 9-0 to the Dodgers Wednesday). The Giants currently lead the N.L. Wild Card race. San Francisco, winners of 21 of their last 27 games, are on a six game road trip, with tonight's first of a three-game series at Atlanta beginning at 10:10pm EDT, before returning home next Monday for four games with the Cubs and three big games with division-leading San Diego starting next Friday. Next Saturday's game with the Padres airs on FOX, with the Sunday game against San Diego showing on ESPN.

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Today in Elvis History:

1953 - Elvis Presley interviewed for a job at Sears Roebuck. He was not hired.

1955 - Elvis Presley performed at the eighth annual Country Music Jamboree in Memphis. The show included Webb Pierce, Sonny James and Johnny Cash.

1959 - Dick Clark called Elvis Presley and conducted a phone interview in which he informed Presley that his new single had just gone gold.

1965 - On location shooting began for the Elvis Presley movie "Paradise Hawaiian Style."

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Texas Rangers auction won by Greenberg-Ryan Group. (No, this wasn't on eBay.)

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Today is Work Like A Dog Day.

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From http://www.tampabaystorm.com

By: Lonnie Herman

On Saturday, the St. Pete Times Forum hosted more than 2,000 spectators and over 400 individual participants in the Dodgeball For A Cause tournament. It was, by all measures, a great success.

Read the rest here.

The Tampa Bay Storm (11-5, 3-3) look to avenge a season-opening loss to the Tulsa Talons (10-6, 6-0) on Saturday as they travel to the BOK Center to take on the Southwest Division champs in the Divisional Round of the 2010 AFL Playoffs. In the season opener, the Talons defeated the Storm 69-58 at the BOK Center April 3.

Tulsa enters the contest as winners in four of its last five, while Tampa Bay comes in as losers in two of its last three after putting together a season-high eight-game winning streak.


Who: Tampa Bay Storm vs. Tulsa Talons

What: AFL Playoffs – Divisional Round

When: Saturday, August 7, 2010
Kickoff – 8:05 PM EST on 1250AM WHNZ

Where: BOK Center
200 South Denver
Tulsa, OK 74103

For more information regarding playoff schedule and tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, call 813.301.6600 or log on to http://www.tampabaystorm.com/.

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Today in Beatles History

1966 - The Beatles album "Revolver" was released in the U.K.

1978 - The Wings single "I've Had Enough" hit #25 in the U.S.

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Lightning off-season roster tracker.

Barberio becoming a pro.

2010 Preseason schedule.

2010-2011 Regular Season schedule.

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Today is National Underwear Day. (Please, do not celebrate this in public!)

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Coming up:

Tonight --

Baseball: Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays 12:10pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

Friday --

CFL Football: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Montreal Alouettes 7:00pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:35pm EDT

Saturday --

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series: Zippo 200 at the glen at Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen International, New York 1:30pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 7:10pm EDT

Arena Football: AFL Divisional Round Playoff Game Tampa Bay Storm at Tulsa Talons 8:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series: Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the glen at Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen International, New York 1:00pm EDT

Baseball: Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Baseball: San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves 1:35pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series: Honda Indy 200 presented by Westfield Insurance at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio 2:30pm EDT

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That's all for today. See you tomorrow!

Oh Baby Vision

How to watch the videos on Oh Baby Vision

In the upper left hand corner, there's three horizontal lines. Click that once or twice and it'll bring up thumbnails of all the movies. Click on the one you want to watch and it'll start. It may play the next one automatically, or you may have to click the little box to bring the thumbnails back up.



Now with the addition of more videos, just use the scroll bar on the right to choose the one you want to watch.



I hope you like 'em