Need something to do this weekend?

ANYONE GOING THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY WITHDRAWAL CAN TAKE HEART

Ten of the top Under-18 boys' hockey teams in the world are competing in the Twin Cities today through Tuesday in exhibition games before the IHF World Under-18 Championships, which start next week in Fargo and Moorhead.

The Team USA Under-18 team will play two games locally: 8 tonight against Germany at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, and 7:30 p.m. Monday against Sweden at the U of M's Ridder Arena. Team USA's roster features one Minnesotan: Nick Mattson of Chanhassen.

While those USA games might not come at ideal times for basketball junkies (both games conflict with the NCAA Final Four) or baseball fans (Monday's game conflicts with the Twins' home opener), we are confident that 1) hockey fans are a different breed and 2) TiVo was invented for a reason.

Nine pretournament games will be played in all, with six at Ridder and three at the Super Rink. Each of the teams from the 10 participating countries will play in the Twin Cities at least once. A full schedule can be found on usahockey.com (click the Under-18 link under the Team USA tab, and then click "Pre-Tournament Camp Info"). Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth and are sold at the door for each game.

SWARMING

It will be the second of four consecutive Saturday home games for the Minnesota Swarm pro lacrosse team when it takes on Edmonton at 7 tonight at Xcel Energy Center. The first 5,000 fans will receive Swarm sweatbands as part of an '80s night promotion. What's up, Rick Springfield?

Those looking to participate in a basketball event for a good cause should check out the Twin Cities Hoop-A-Thon fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley. Now in its 12th year, the event has raised more than $400,000 in the fight against Huntington's Disease. The event is sponsored by University of St. Thomas senior B.J. Viau and his family.