It says something about the state of the NHL that a team with its division's best record resorts to giving away free beer in the hopes of goosing season ticket sales. The Tampa Bay Lightning did this during their most recent Eastern Conference finals game, offering unlimited suds if you put down $100 towards 2004-05 season tickets. They got about 25 takers, and were quick to note that people who were drunk would get cut off and anyone needing a ride got a free taxi trip home. No word if there was free stomach pumping or an express list for a new liver.

Getting back to the hockey angle, you'd think a team that racked up 106 points would sell itself. And it might in some parts of the country. Just not in Florida, which I know comes as a surprise to many of you.

Even worse is that this is a pretty young team - average age 28.4 years - suggesting future years of success. It's just that their "fans" will be too drunk to notice.