Trenton Titans Benefit From NHL Lockout

While the NHL and its players remain engaged in a boardroom battle over dollars and cents, professional hockey is still being played across the United States.

In the East Coast Hockey League, a mix of young prospects have combined with some NHL players to create a fun, family atmosphere for those who truly miss the pro game.

In Trenton, the Titans, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, have a talented roster with a good balance of skill that has them in third place in the Atlantic Division. And for season ticketholders of the nearby NHL teams -- Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York -- there are discounts to the Titans' home rink, the Sun National Bank Center. On Friday night for a game vs. Evansville (Ind.), they drew 3,687 fans.

"(Our attendance) is up because of (the lockout)," Trenton general manager Rich Lisk said. "It has helped us."

The NHL locked out its players on Sept. 15, and though talks are continuing, a new collective bargaining agreement doesn't appear to be on the horizon.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)