Toronto Maple Leafs offering a free game

TORONTO, July 17 (UPI) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that 20,000 people can win free tickets to a Sept. 22 preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres.

At a news conference at the Air Canada Centre Wednesday, the team -- one of the costliest for tickets in the NHL -- announced the promotion in partnership with Coca-Cola Zero, the Toronto Star reported.

The loss in revenue is close to $2 million, team officials said.

Team General Manager Cliff Fletcher acknowledged the team's reputation for high prices.

"The cost of tickets today puts the game out of reach for a lot of the grass-roots fans," he said. "This is a way we can acknowledge how important they are to the team and give them an opportunity to see a game free of charge."

Fans who attended the news conference were given a pair of tickets and the rest will be given away through various Coca-Cola and Leafs promotions listed on www.mapleleafs.com.