It's Thursday

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

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Today is September 27th, the 271st day of 2012. There are 95 days left in the year.

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Yakupov suspended from KHL.

Wilson's handprints all over Hockeyville celebration.

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

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Today's Birthdays: Wilford Brimley (Cocoon, Our House) is 78; singer-actor Meat Loaf (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) is 65; Gwyneth Paltrow is 40; singer Avril Lavigne is 28.

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National Team Development Program Weekly Update U18 Team Players Prepare for CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game; U17 Team Opens USHL Regular Season This Weekend U18 PLAYERS PREPARE FOR PROSPECTS GAME: The U.S. National Under-18 Team is off this weekend as many of its players prepare for the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y. A total of 18 draft-eligible players from the Under-18 squad will participate in the game on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. EDT. In addition to the current members of the National Team Development Program, six alumni will also skate in the showcase. U17s OPEN USHL REGULAR SEASON: The U.S. National Under-17 Team opens the regular season within the United States Hockey League on Friday, Sept. 28, at the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT against the Des Moines Buccaneers. The following night (Sept. 29), Team USA travels west to take on in-state rivals, the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Puck drop is slated for 7:15 p.m. EDT at L.C. Walker Arena. U18s EARN 2-1 RECORD AT USHL FALL CLASSIC: After dropping its first game against the Dubuque Fighting Saints, 4-2, on Sept. 20, the U.S. National Under-18 Team reeled off two straight wins at the USHL Fall Classic. Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.) played hero when his late third period goal lifted Team USA to victory, 5-4, over the host Sioux City Musketeers on Sept. 21. J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.),Sean Malone (West Seneca, N.Y.) and Motte had a goal and an assist each in the win. The following afternoon (Sept. 22), Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) stopped all 15 shots he faced as the U.S. shutout the Sioux Falls Stampede, 4-0. Four different players scored in the win for Team USA. U17s SPLIT WEEKEND SERIES WITH LASALLE: The U.S. National Under-17 Team took the first of two games against the LaSalle Vipers on Sept. 21, 5-1, behind a three point (1-2) effort by Sonny Milano(Massapequa, N.Y.). Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) and Joe Wegwerth (Brewster, N.Y.) added two assists each, while Edwin Minney (Wind Gap, Pa.) turned aside 18 shots in the win. The next night (Sept. 22), Eichel turned in another multi-point (2-1) game and Jack Glover (Golden Valley, Minn.) notched one goal and collected two assists, but the Under-17 Team fell to the Vipers, 9-7. UNDER-18 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Shane Eiserman (West Newbury, Mass.) and Tyler Motte finished the preseason tied for fifth in the USHL in points. Both forwards had two goals and three assists. Eiserman skated in one more game (5) than Motte ... Scott Savage (San Clemente, Calif.) led all skaters in USHL preseason plus/minus ratings. The defenseman was plus-6 in four games for Team USA. Savage also wound up tied for third in preseason points (1-2) by a blueliner ... Anthony Louis(Winfield, Ill.) is currently riding a three-game point streak dating back to Sept. 20. The forward has one goal and two assists over that span and has also recorded a plus-1 rating ... Teammate Tyler Kelleher(Longmeadow, Mass.) has also registered a three-game point streak. The forward has two goals and one assist since Sept. 20. UNDER-17 TEAM NEWS/NOTES: Forward Jack Eichel has at least two points in each of the U.S. National Under-17 Team's first three games (Sept. 16-22). Eichel leads the Under-17 Team with seven points (4-3) ... Sonny Milano can also boast points in each of the first three games. The forward has six points on the season (2-4) ... Chris Wilkie (Omaha, Neb.) has collected one assist in each contest to date this season. The forward shares the team lead in helpers ... Ten different players registered a point in the 9-7 loss to the LaSalle Vipers on Sept. 22. For the complete weekly update, click here. ABOUT THE NTDP: In 1996, USA Hockey launched a revolutionary new initiative called the National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Currently in its 16th season of play in 2012-13, the goal of this full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice. USA HOCKEY AND THE INTELLIGYM: The U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams utilize The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary software program that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com. THE USHL AND FASTHOCKEY: Catch all of Team USA's USHL action on FASTHockey.com, the premier online destination for ice hockey fanatics from around the world. Visitors can choose from an incredible array of games from national governing bodies, conferences, leagues, teams, tournaments, and other events. Tony Rossi Re-Elected to International Ice Hockey Federation Council COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Tony Rossi (Chicago, Ill.), vice president of USA Hockey and chair of the organization’s international council, was re-elected to a second four-year term on the International Ice Hockey Federation Council during the IIHF General Congress in Tokyo, Japan, today. “We're extremely pleased that Tony was re-elected,” said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. “He's been an invaluable contributor to not only USA Hockey, but to the sport worldwide through his work on the IIHF Council.” A total of 20 individuals ran for the 15 vacant seats on the Council, with Rossi receiving the second-highest number of votes for his position. IIHF Council 2012-2016President: Rene Fasel (SUI) Vice President Americas: Bob Nicholson (CAN) Vice President Europe/Africa: Kalervo Kummola (FIN) Vice President Asia/Oceania: Tomas Wu (HKG) Council Member: Henrik Bach Nielsen (DEN) Council Member: Christer Englund (SWE) Council Member: Frank Gonzalez (ESP) Council Member: Beate Grupp (GER) Council Member: Zsuzsanna Kolbenheye (HUN) Council Member: Igor Nemecek (SVK) Council Member: Tony Rossi (USA) Council Member: Luc Tardif (FRA) Council Member: Vladislav Tretiak (RUS) General Secretary: Horst Lichtner (GER)

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It's National Chocolate Milk Day.

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Oregon State (2-0, 1-0 in Pac-12), ranked No. 18 in the AP poll and No. 21 in the USA Today poll, will  play its second straight conference game on the road, traveling to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 0-1). The game will kickoff at approximately 10 p.m. EDT this coming Saturday and air nationwide on the Pac-12 Networks. You can also catch the game on 1190 KEX and the Beaver Sports Network, or through the listen link on the left side of this page.

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Want to go underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, but not into scuba diving? Thanks to Google Maps, now you can -- virtually. Google added its first underwater panoramas to Google Maps this week, meaning "Street View" -- at least in certain places -- shows turtles and manta rays instead of streets. The company says its just the next step in providing "the most comprehensive, accurate and usable map of the world."

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Audible: Coaches forced to make changes under centre.

Burke all too familiar with what Jackson brings to the table.

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

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A study found that reconnecting with your sweetie boils down to two words... ROAD TRIP. A whopping 84% of couples say taking a simple road trip strengthened their relationship. That's quality time... just you and your sweetie. Sixty-three percent say they hold hands or share a kiss at a red lights. It's also a good time to talk about something important.

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Durant, Riders coaching staff on same page.

The Sunday win over Calgary squares the Saskatchewan Roughriders' record at 6-6 for 12 points, 2 points behind the 7-5 Stampeders in the CFL West. Next up for the Riders is a home game this coming Saturday, September 29th against the West-leading BC Lions, a team they beat 23-20 in week #3 and lost to 24-5 in week #8. Kickoff at Mosaic Stadium is set for 10:00pm EDT. Hear the game on 620 CKRM, or via the listen link on the left side of this page. The game can be seen in Canada on TSN and in the U.S. online at ESPN3.com.

Visit the team's official website, http://www.riderville.com/.

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California has now officially made driverless cars legal. [One small step for a man, one giant leap toward getting Lindsay Lohan off the road.]

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Tampa, FL. — The Tampa Bay Bucs were dealt a harsh blow last Sunday, and I don’t just mean the loss to the Cowboys. Disruptive defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn, a former first-round pick, went down for the season with a knee injury. He tore his MCL, partially tore his ACL, and will almost certainly need surgery.

Read the rest here.

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The Cleveland Browns head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens tonight (NFL Network).

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Jimmy took this picture of himself.

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Let's see, what's on the agenda for today....Washing dishes (again) and taking Jimmy to school. How 'bout you?

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Boston, MA. -- Say the Rays don't make the playoffs. Say that this seven-game winning streak they've put together in the toughest part of the season doesn't quite get them the same result as 2011. They won't look back and say they didn't have an absolute blast. Tampa Bay shattered a no-hit bid from Red Sox starter Jon Lester in a sequence capped by consecutive home runs, and the bullpen excelled for the umpteenth time on Wednesday night in a 4-2 win at Fenway Park. The Rays own the Majors' longest active win streak, and they're headed to Chicago with seven games left and an American League Wild Card spot dangling three games away.

Read the rest here.

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Law and Order: SVU is going to be doing a Fifty Shades of Grey-themed episode this season. The episode airs October 10.

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San Francisco, CA.-- With the Giants pondering the makeup of their postseason rotation, this much is certain -- Matt Cain is their ace. Cain tossed a seven-inning gem Wednesday night in his final regular-season start at AT&T Park, leading the Giants to a 6-0 win against the D-backs. On the same mound on which he pitched the 22nd perfect game in Major League history back on June 13, Cain lowered his ERA at home to 2.03 on the season, tops in the National League.

Read the rest here.

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TLC has ordered additional episodes of their reality hit Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. In addition to the episode order, TLC has also signed on for three holiday specials (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas) featuring sassy 7-year-old Alana and her family.

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Today in Elvis History

1957 - Elvis Presley played a benefit show at the annual Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. He was backed by Hank Garland and Bob Moore.

1960 - Elvis Presley's father, Vernon, visited him on the set of "G.I. Blues."

1969 - Elvis Presley's single "Clean Up Your Own Back Yard" hit #21 in the U.S. 

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"The Original Amateur Hour" aired for the last time on CBS on this date in 1970. It had been on television for 22 years.

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Today in Beatles History:

1972 - Rory Storme (Hurricanes) committed suicide in what appeared to be suicide pact with his mother. The Hurricanes were the group that Ringo Starr left in order to join the Beatles.

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On this date in 1973, U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew said he would not resign after he pled "no contest" to a charge of tax evasion. He did resign on October 10th.

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Today in Sports History:

1923 -  Lou Gehrig (New York Yankees) hit his first of 493 career home runs.

1930 - Hack Wilson (Chicago) hit two home runs to give him 56 for the year.

1930 - At the annual NHL Governor's meeting a new rule was passed concerning offsides. The rule was that "the puck must be propelled into the attacking zone before any player of the attacking side can enter that zone."

1953 - The St. Louis Browns played their final game before moving to Baltimore to become the Orioles.

1964 - Houston played its final game at Colts Stadium. They lost 1-0 to Los Angeles in 12 innings.

1973 - Nolan Ryan (California Angels) struck out 16 batters for the Minnesota Twins. The feat established a modern day single season mark of 383 strikeouts in a season.

1983 - Larry Bird signed a seven-year contract with the Boston Celtics worth $15 million. The contract made him the highest paid Celtic in history.

1996 - Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) became the second MLB player to record 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same year.

1998 - Mark McGwire (St. Louis Cardinals) set a major league baseball record when he hit his 70th home run of the season. Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs) ended the season with 66 home runs. Both players surpassed Roger Maris' record of 61.

1998 - Greg Vaughn (San Diego Padres) hit his 50th home run of the season. It marked the first time that four players finished the regular season with 50 or more home runs.

1999 - The last game was played at Tiger Stadium. The Detroit Tigers defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-2.

2000 - Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) signed a 12-year contract that involved a $20.5 million signing bonus. The deal made McNabb the highest paid NFL player in history.

2003 - Javier Lopez (Atlanta Braves) became the first catcher to hit 42 home runs in a season.

2009 - The Detroit Lions defeated the Washington Redskins to end a 19-game losing streak dating back to December, 2007.

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Columbia Pictures Entertainment agreed to buyout Sony Corporation for $3.4 billion on this date in 1989.

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Coming up:

Tonight --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 3:45pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 8:10pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 8:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 10:05pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- One Main Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway 3:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 4:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 8:35pm EDT

College Football -- Oregon State Beavers at Arizona Wildcats 10:00pm EDT

CFL Football -- BC Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders 10:00pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 2:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 4:05pm EDT 

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Redskins 4:25pm EDT

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That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by, I hope that you'll do so tomorrow too. Thanks again!