Ice Hockey: USA steal show on Super Sunday winter olympic

Vancouver (AFP) - The United States broke Canadian hearts on Sunday with a 5-3 Olympic Games hockey victory which condemned the hosts, who started out as gold medal favourites, to a perilous future in the tournament.

The US, who lost the gold medal game at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics to their North American neighbours, shocked Canada to finish on top of Group A with nine points and a place in the quarter-finals.

The Russians also triumphed 4-2 Sunday in Group B over the Czech Republic who dashed their gold medals hopes at the 1998 Nagano Games while Sweden continued their mastery over Finland, winning 3-0 in a repeat of the gold medal game four years ago in Turin and topped Group C.

The USA, like the other three winners Sunday, received a bye into the tournament quarter-finals. Finland was the only team that didn't win but still got a bye because of their 2-1 record.

Ryan Miller made 42 saves and Brian Rafalski scored two goals as the US stunned host Canada for their first win over their neighbours in an Olympic clash in 50 years.

Forward Jamie Langenbrunner scored the winner in the second period for the Americans who are a perfect 3-0 having beaten Switzerland, Norway and now Canada.

"It was one of the biggest games I've ever played in," Miller said. "Hopefully it provides the confidence we need moving forward."

Canada now has to play in the eight-team qualifying round on Tuesday.

They will play Germany and if they win they will face mighty Russia in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

"We had chances in the game, some hard chances. In the third period we had a lot of powerplays but we just ran out of time," said Canadian superstar Sidney Crosby of the loss to the Americans.

"Ryan Miller was really solid and made some big saves. Sometimes you run into a hot goalie but we had some bad luck sometimes."

Dany Heatley and Eric Staal scored for Canada who outshot the US 45-23.

"I hate to say it but I think we just need to play more games," Canada's goalie Martin Brodeur said. "There's things we need to work on, and hopefully that extra game will give us just that."

Evgeni Malkin scored two goals and Alex Ovechkin had two assists and a momentum-changing hit as Russia beat the Czechs.

Ovechkin had a bone-crushing hit on Czech star Jaromir Jagr early in the third that forced a turnover at centre ice and helped set up Malkin's second goal.

"It is just a moment," Ovechkin said. "If I have a chance to hit somebody it does not matter who it is. We played simple and we didn't make mistakes in the neutral zone."

Viktor Kozlov scored a second period goal and Pavel Datsyuk added an empty net goal for Russia who handed the Czechs their first loss of the tournament.

"Definitely the hit by Ovechkin turned the game around," Russian forward Ilya Kovalchuk said.

Forward Malkin opened the scoring for Russia on the powerplay by sneaking a shot between the left arm and blocker of Czech goalie Tomas Vokoun.

Malkin finished off a pretty passing play with Alexander Semin in the third for his second goal to make it 3-1.

But almost as important was the smashing hit by Ovechkin on Jagr that forced a turnover at centre ice to start the play.

Jagr was skating through the neutral zone with the puck when he ran head on into Ovechkin and lost the puck.

Louis Eriksson scored two power-play goals and defending champion Sweden earned a bye in the Vancouver Winter Olympic hockey quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory over Finland on Sunday.

The Swedes joined Russia and the United States as group winners who will not have to play again until Wednesday, each only three triumphs from a gold medal.

Despite the defeat, Finland also booked a place in the final eight as the top second-place team in round-robin group play, edging the Czech Republic on goal difference.

The outcome set final pairings for the knockout playoff rounds that begin Tuesday, when Canada will face Germany for the right to face fellow pre-tournament favorite Russia in a Wednesday quarter-final between powerhouse lineups.

Also on Tuesday, Slovakia will play Norway for the chance to face Sweden in the quarter-finals, Belarus will meet Switzerland for the right to meet the Americans and the Czechs will play Latvia for a last-eight date with Finland.

Swedes blank Finns but both reach last eight
Eriksson opened the scoring 6:41 into the game when the Swedes enjoyed a two-man advantage thanks to Finland penalties.

Nicklas Backstrom, a National Hockey League teammate of Russian star Alex Ovechkin on the Washington Capitals, ripped a wrist shot into the top far corner of the goal to boost Sweden's edge 4:19 into the second period.

Eriksson struck again with 1:52 remaining in the second, skating around sprawled Finnish goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff and sliding the puck into the far corner of the open goal to give the Swedes their final goal.

Finland frustration boiled over when Joni Pitkanen received a five-minute penalty and game misconduct for a hit to the head on Sweden's Patric Hornqvist, who was taken to the locker room.

The Finns had outscored foes 10-1 in their first two games.

Kevin Pearce Champion Ever

Even though Shaun White is the talk of the sport of snowboarding, especially given his recent second gold medal win in the sport, there has been a friendly rivalry between White and fellow American snowboarder Kevin Pearce for the the last few years now. It makes you wonder if the outcome of the snowboarding competition would have been different if it hadn’t been for the accident during Pearce’s training run just six weeks before the Olympics that not only took him out of the competition but almost took his life as well.

During tonight’s Olympic coverage on NBC Tom Brokaw reported the story of Kevin Pearce’s talent in snowboarding, his tragic accident and inspiring recovery. Brokaw and fellow reporter Kevin Tibbles spoke to Pearce’s parents and two brothers, (the third of which has Down-Syndrome. ) Pearce’s parents say that their son David has taught them to have the patience that in necessary in order to cope with Kevin’s injury and recovery.

Even though Shaun White is the talk of the sport of snowboarding, especially given his recent second gold medal win in the sport, there has been a friendly rivalry between White and fellow American snowboarder Kevin Pearce for the the last few years now. It makes you wonder if the outcome of the snowboarding competition would have been different if it hadn’t been for the accident during Pearce’s training run just six weeks before the Olympics that not only took him out of the competition but almost took his life as well.

During tonight’s Olympic coverage on NBC Tom Brokaw reported the story of Kevin Pearce’s talent in snowboarding, his tragic accident and inspiring recovery. Brokaw and fellow reporter Kevin Tibbles spoke to Pearce’s parents and two brothers, (the third of which has Down-Syndrome. ) Pearce’s parents say that their son David has taught them to have the patience that in necessary in order to cope with Kevin’s injury and recovery.

Kevin was injured while executing a trick called the double-cork, which he had previously completed successfully on multiple occassions…though perhaps not to the same caliber as Shaun White…Pearce hit his head on the rim of the half-pipe upon landing and doctors said that if it weren’t for his helmet, he would not have survived.

Kevin Pearce was diagnosed with Tramatic Brain Injury (TBI) and his physical, psychological and emotional recovery will be long and difficult. Pearce’s speech and motor functions were profoundly affected by his injury and although it was reported tonight that Kevin will be able to walk unassisted again by the end of the week, it is not known whether Kevin Pearce will make a return to competitive snowboarding.

This story affected me profoundly because a member of my own family was diagnosed with (TBI) so I know how difficult the recovery process and the aftermath can be not only for the patient but for their family as well.

Kevin Pearce’s family should be commended for the dignity and grace with which they are handling this traumatic situation. Kevin Pearce may not have competed in The Olympics, but he survived and that makes him a champion.

Kevin was injured while executing a trick called the double-cork, which he had previously completed successfully on multiple occassions…though perhaps not to the same caliber as Shaun White…Pearce hit his head on the rim of the half-pipe upon landing and doctors said that if it weren’t for his helmet, he would not have survived.

Kevin Pearce was diagnosed with Tramatic Brain Injury (TBI) and his physical, psychological and emotional recovery will be long and difficult. Pearce’s speech and motor functions were profoundly affected by his injury and although it was reported tonight that Kevin will be able to walk unassisted again by the end of the week, it is not known whether Kevin Pearce will make a return to competitive snowboarding.

This story affected me profoundly because a member of my own family was diagnosed with (TBI) so I know how difficult the recovery process and the aftermath can be not only for the patient but for their family as well.

Kevin Pearce’s family should be commended for the dignity and grace with which they are handling this traumatic situation. Kevin Pearce may not have competed in The Olympics, but he survived and that makes him a champion.

Caroline McWilliams died

Famous actress Caroline McWilliams whose film and TV career spanned decades has died at the age of 64. Her family told that she died from complications of multiple myeloma. Caroline McWilliams was best known for playing Marcy opposite Robert Guillaume on the long-running sitcom Benson. Not only had this she also appeared in many other popular roles on Soap, Beverly Hills and Judging Amy. Her family told that she died at her home in Los Angeles. She married to actor Michael Keaton but the couple divorced in 1990. Caroline Margaret McWilliams was born April 4, 1945. In 1966 she graduated from Carnegie. She began her career in 1969 and appeared in a soap opera “Guiding light”. As Sally on Soap she moved to primetime in 1978. Caroline McWilliams also appeared in a number of stage productions and films. No doubt she was one of the most experienced actresses of Hollywood.

Lincoln Tunnel

Latest Updates Lincoln Tunnel Traffic, Lincoln Tunnel Closed, Holland Tunnel, Moon And Stars, Scott Trade,New York City’s Lincoln Tunnel has reopened to traffic after a crew completed emergency repairs to a pothole on a road leading from the tunnel to the New Jersey Turnpike.

Emergency repairs in a bridge deck near exit 15E began around noon and were completed by about 6 p.m., said Joe Orlando, a spokesman for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Delays of up to a half hour are reported in Manhattan near the tunnel entrance by 1010 WINS News radio station.

PRVCY Jeans: Three Threads Stand for Faith, Hope and Love full video

Is PRVCY Jeans and its promotional ad video becoming another viral video on the internet just as “Embrace Life” became most recently? Looks like it is the case because the key-phrase “prvcy jeans” is one of the hottest searches today.

According to the prvcy jeans’ website, every back pocket on the prvcy jeans has three threads that stand for Faith, Hope and Love. Reports of people looking all over the stores for these jeans and people searching the internet trying to locate these hot jeans have also come to light.

Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry and Lauren Conrad are said to be wearing prvcy jeans and that is that is why it is becoming a rage now among teens, college students and young adults.

Carrie wore PRVCY Premium skinny white jeans at the Super Bowl while she sang the National Anthem.

Shakespeare’s The Tempest (1980 TV) - Act 2, scene 2 video

Shakespeare's The Tempest (1980 TV) - Act 2, scene 2 Andrew Sachs escaped Nazi Germany with his family when very young, and English is his second language. He most famously appeared as the hapless Spanish waiter Manuel in “Fawlty Towers”. He has remained very active in the business, with numerous acting roles and voice work. as part of the “Fawlty Towers” Shakespeare trilogy, go here to see Prunella Scales as Mistress Page in “The Merry Wives of Windsor”: www.youtube.com and here to see John Cleese as Petruchio in “The Taming of the Shrew”: www.youtube.com Warren Clarke … Caliban Andrew Sachs … Trinculo Nigel Hawthorne … Stephano Directed by John Gorrie On the character of Caliban, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, from a lecture on Shakespeare, 1811: The character of Caliban is wonderfully conceived: he is a sort of creature of the earth, partaking of the qualities of the brute, and distinguished from them in two ways: 1. By having mere understanding without moral reason; 2. By not having the instincts which belong to mere animals.- Still Caliban is a noble being: a man in the sense of the imagination, all the images he utters are drawn from nature, and are all highly poetical; they fit in with the images of Ariel: Caliban gives you images from the Earth- Ariel images from the air. Caliban talks of the difficulty of finding fresh water, the situation of Morasses, and other circumstances which the brute instinct not possessing reason could comprehend. No mean image is brought forward, and no mean passion, but animal passions, and the sense of repugnance at being commanded.

Command PR On “SPINdustry”

LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- Command PR is going to be the celebrity management firm that is going to be featured in the latest endeavor of Kim Kardashian, who shot to fame with the reality series that followed the life and day to day activities of her family, “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” Her latest venture is again on the same lines, that is, a reality show. Titled “SPINdustry,” the show will give the viewers more than a behind the scenes look at the daily activities of a PR firm, and all that goes into attracting possible celebrity clients, managing big events, and managing press conferences, in fact, calling the press at various events.

“SPINdustry” was aired for the first time on television on E! on Feb 21, Sunday, at 10:30 in the night, right after the airing of the final episode of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” The show features the long time friends of Kim Kardashian, Jonathan Cheban and Simon Huck, who are partners at the PR firm- Command PR. The show is going to be based on the activities of Command PR, and will give an insight into the day to day tasks of the firm as they manage one event after the other.

The executive producer of the show, Kim Kardashian herself made a guest appearance in the debut episode of the show. Each episode of the show is going to feature a new celebrity that Command PR will be managing. According to Jonathan Cheban, the show was completely the brainchild of Kim Kardashian, and it is a very good idea for a reality show, considering that PR industry is currently one of the most glamorous in show business.