Monday Morning Meissnervations

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

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Today is March 17th, the 76th day of 2014. There are 289 days left in the year.

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Postponed Stars-Jackets game rescheduled for April 9.

Blues forward Tarasenko to have hand surgery.

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

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Today's Birthdays: Kurt Russell (Stargate, Tango & Cash, Tombstone, Breakdown) is 63; Gary Sinise (Ransom, CSI: New York, Apollo 13, Forrest Gump) is 59; Rob Lowe (Parks & Recreation, The West Wing, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me) is 50; Musician Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins) is 47.

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Tampa, FL. -- While Martin Brodeur and the Devils entered the contest boasting a shutout in their last meeting against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ben Bishop returned the favor in a record-setting 3-0 whitewash of New Jersey Saturday night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Read the rest here.

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Postage stamp canceling machine patent was issued on this date in 1868.

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U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team Tops Russia, 1-0, in Gold Medal Game of Paralympic Winter Games

Josh Sweeney Scores; Steve Cash Stops Six Shots

SOCHI, Russia - Josh Sweeney (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored the game-winning goal in the second period, allowing the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team to skate past Russia, 1-0, in the gold-medal game at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. With the victory, Team USA becomes the first team to win back-to-back gold medals in the Paralympics. The gold medal is the third for the U.S. since 2002. The Americans struck for the contest's only marker at 9:28 of the middle frame when Sweeney converted after forcing a turnover in the offensive zone. Following a collision by two Russian players, Sweeney picked up the loose puck just inside the blue line and streaked in on Russian goaltender Vladimir Kamantcev. Sweeney deked to his left before sliding the puck back to his right and placing a shot over Kamantcev's glove and under the crossbar. Team USA played a strong defensive game throughout, limiting Russia to just six shots on goal while killing both Russian power-play opportunities. Goaltender Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) came up with a pair of quality saves on dangerous Russian chances in the final stanza to hold Russia off the board. Notes: For today's box score and photos, click here ... Goaltender Steve Cash posted his third shutout of the 2014 Paralympics and his eighth career shutout in the Paralympics ... Team USA's captain is Andy Yohe, while its alternate captains are Taylor Chace and Josh Sweeney... The youngest player on the roster is Brody Roybal, who turned 15 years old in May and is making his debut on a U.S. National Team. Declan Farmer turned 16 years old in November ... The oldest player on the squad is Andy Yohe at 35 years old ... Four members of the team have served in the U.S. military. Jen Lee is active duty in the U.S. Army. Rico Roman is a U.S. Army veteran, while Paul Schaus and Josh Sweeney served in the U.S. Marine Corps ... Dan Brennan (Colorado Springs, Colo.), director of sled and inline national teams for USA Hockey, is serving as the general manager of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team ... Jeff Sauer(Madison, Wis.) is the head coach of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, while Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.), American Development Model regional manager for USA Hockey, is serving as assistant coach for the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team ... Additional staff members include team physician Mike Uihlein (Grafton, Wis.), athletic trainer Mike Cortese(Boynton Beach, Fla.) and equipment manager Joel Isaacson (Houghton, Mich.). 2014 Paralympic Winter Games Game Schedule for U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey TeamMarch 8-15 - Shayba Arena - Sochi, Russia Date Opponent Time (ET)/Result  Sat. March 8 Italy W, 5-1 Sun., March 9 South Korea W, 3-0 Tues., March 11 Russia L, 1-2 Thurs., March 13 Canada (Semifinals) W, 3-0 Sat., March 15 Russia (Gold-Medal Game) W, 1-0 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team Up for Three 2014 Best of U.S. Paralympic Awards Team USA is Finalist for Team of the Paralympic Games & Moment of the Paralympic Games; Farmer is Finalist for Best Male Paralympian SOCHI, Russia –The U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team is one of three finalists for the Team of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games and one of five finalists for the Moment of the 2014 Games for its 1-0 gold-medal game victory over Russia, the United States Olympic Committee announced today. Additionally, Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) is one of four finalists for the Best Male Paralympian. The Best of U.S. Awards is a new USOC program that recognizes outstanding performances from the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as determined by fan vote. Fan voting on the Paralympic side begins today (March 16) at 10 a.m. ET and continues through March 21 on the U.S. Paralympics Facebook page. The awards will be announced during the Best of U.S. Awards Show, scheduled to air April 7 on NBC Sports Network. A nominating committee, comprised of USOC, athlete and media representatives, selected the finalists for the individual athlete and team categories, as well as the Moment of the Games, based on nominations from each National Governing Body. Team USA became the first nation to win back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in sled hockey by defeating Russia, 1-0, in the gold-medal game Saturday (March 15). Josh Sweeney(Phoenix, Ariz.) scored the game-winning goal and Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.) made six saves. Overall, the U.S. posted preliminary round wins over Italy (5-1) and South Korea (3-0), plus a semifinal triumph against Canada (3-0). Team USA avenged its only loss, a 2-1 setback versus Russia in the preliminary round, by topping the host country in the gold medal rematch. Farmer tied for the Team USA lead in both goals (3) and points (5). He tallied two goals and an assist in the 3-0 semifinal win against Canada. In his Paralympic debut, the 16 year old notched a goal and an assist versus Italy. Notes: Steve Cash was Team USA's flag bearer for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony, which took place Sunday night ... Team USA's captain is Andy Yohe, while its alternate captains are Taylor Chace and Josh Sweeney ... The youngest player on the roster is Brody Roybal, who turned 15 years old in May and is making his debut on a U.S. National Team. Declan Farmer turned 16 years old in November ... The oldest player on the squad isAndy Yohe at 35 years old ... Four members of the team have served in the U.S. military. Jen Lee is active duty in the U.S. Army. Rico Roman is a U.S. Army veteran, while Paul Schaus andJosh Sweeney served in the U.S. Marine Corps ... Dan Brennan (Colorado Springs, Colo.), director of sled and inline national teams for USA Hockey, is serving as the general manager of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team ... Jeff Sauer (Madison, Wis.) is the head coach of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, while Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.), American Development Model regional manager for USA Hockey, is serving as assistant coach for the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team ... Additional staff members include team physician Mike Uihlein (Grafton, Wis.), athletic trainer Mike Cortese (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and equipment manager Joel Isaacson (Houghton, Mich.). 2014 Paralympic Winter Games Game Schedule for U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey TeamMarch 8-15 - Shayba Arena - Sochi, Russia Date Opponent Result  Sat. March 8 Italy W, 5-1 Sun., March 9 South Korea W, 3-0 Tues., March 11 Russia L, 1-2 Thurs., March 13 Canada (Semifinals) W, 3-0 Sat., March 15 Russia (Gold-Medal Game) W, 1-0

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WEAR YOUR GREEN - Today is St. Patrick's Day.

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Chamblin not about to rest on his laurels.

Combine: A look ahead at the Edmonton Regional.

Please visit the league's official website, cfl.ca.

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China's air is so polluted that Japanese electronics company Panasonic announced that its employees there will now receive hazard pay. [Same as Justin Bieber's and Willie Nelson's tour bus drivers.]

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Tampa, FL. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their free-agent frenzy Sunday by signing two players that are likely to fill roles as backups.

Read the rest here.

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In Otay, California, John Joseph Montgomery made the first manned, controlled, heavier-than-air glider flight in the United States on this date in 1884.

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Vroom! Vroom!

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much as waiting for the rain to blow in, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1956 - Elvis Presley performed on TV's "Stage Show." He performed "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Heartbreak Hotel."

1961 - Filming began on the Elvis Presley movie "Blue Hawaii."

1971 - The collection album "Separate Ways" hit #46 in the U.S.

2004 - Lisa Marie Presley clarified remarks she had made in an Australian TV interview. She said that she had never seen her ex-husband, Michael Jackson, engage in inappropriate behavior with kids.

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The NCAA men's basketball tournament bracket was revealed Sunday.

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Today in Beatles History:

1970 -  The Beatles' "Let It Be" was certified gold by the RIAA.

1984 - The video for John Lennon's "Nobody Told Me" was aired on "American Bandstand."

2000 - It was reported that Paul McCartney was worth $865 million.   

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Someone's a little bit too excited for summer to start. A man returned to his Flint, Michigan, home last week and found his picnic table and bench gone.

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Today in Sports History:

1940 - For the first time in NHL history, one line (Boston's Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer) finished 1-2-3 in NHL scoring.

1955 - In Montreal, there was a seven-hour riot that caused more than $1 million in damage. Canadien fans were upset because NHL President Clarence Campbell had suspended Rocket Richard for attacking an official during a fight in a game on March 13.

1998 - The United States beat Canada 3-1 to win the first gold medal for women's hockey.

1999 - The International Olympic Committee expelled six of its members in the wake of a bribery scandal.

2003 - Jose Canseco was released from jail. He was then sentenced to two years of house arrest and three years of probation for his part in a nightclub brawl on October 31, 2001.

2005 - Several major league baseball players spoke about steroid use with the House Government Reform Committee. Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro participated. The hearing lasted 11 hours.

2007 - Mike Modano (Dallas Stars) scored his 502nd and 503rd career goals making him the all-time U.S. leader in goal-scoring. . 

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TV TONIGHT: SEASON PREMIERE: DANCING WITH THE STARS - Dancing with the Stars (8p ET, ABC) is back for its 18th season.

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BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Kyle Larson had a plan in mind for the finish. But Kyle Busch has it all figured out at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Read the rest here.

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Need for Speed sputtered in its North American debut, coming in No. 3 with $17.8 million behind weekend winner Mr. Peabody & Sherman and 300: Rise of an Empire. But Speed did make $45.6 million overseas.

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BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Carl Edwards seemed to be cruising to victory in the final laps of Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Read the rest here.

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Snoopy and Charlie Brown of "Peanuts" were on the cover of "LIFE" magazine on this date in 1967.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vancouver Canucks 7:30pm EDT

Tuesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Wednesday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs 7:00pm EDT

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators 7:30pm EDT

Friday --

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Port Huron Fighting Falcons 10:05pm EDT

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins 1:00pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- March Auto Club Race at Auto Club Speedway 5:00pm EDT

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Port Huron Fighting Falcons 10:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway 3:00pm EDT

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