Now NHL Season Is Officially on the Rocks

Officials of CuervoNation, an eight-acre island in the British Virgin Islands, have offered to stage an exhibition hockey game in the wake of the lost NHL season in hopes of awarding the first-ever Cuervo Margarita Cup.

All the officials seek in exchange for playing host to the game on a yet-to-be-constructed rink are two full rosters of current professional players to volunteer to play for free.

The winner will take possession of a margarita glass-shaped trophy.

“Our island may not be known for hockey, but we think we have enough experience making ice for our Cuervo margaritas to stage an event that hockey fans will never forget,” said Bertha Gonzalez, CuervoNation Ambassador to the U.S.

Party on, Garth Snow & Co.

Trivia time: How many times has Dodger outfielder J.D. Drew played in at least 100 games over the last six seasons?

He’s no Dominique: TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Magic Johnson poked fun at New Orleans forward Chris Andersen on Saturday after Andersen needed six attempts to make his second dunk during the slam-dunk competition.

“He doesn’t get to play a lot,” Barkley said, “so he is trying to get everyone to know who he is.”

Said Smith: “It’s harder than it looks, but it ain’t that hard.”

Said Johnson: “Most guys have to work out on Monday, but I think Chris has got his workout in. He can take Monday off.”

Bruised rib joint: Baltimore Raven linebacker Ray Lewis has opened a restaurant called Ray Lewis’ Full Moon Bar-B-Que in Baltimore, with several of his No. 52 jerseys adorning the walls.

“The decor is so true to Lewis’ tough-guy image,” wrote Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times, “that even the barbecued sore ribs are listed as day-to-day on the menu.”

Not up his alley: Former pitcher Tom Candiotti, whose 15 years in the majors included a stint with the Dodgers (1992-97), recently competed in a Professional Bowlers Assn. tournament at Mesa, Ariz.

He got into the tournament via a new rule that allowed PBA Commissioner Fred Schreyer to give him an exemption.

“I’m a two-sport athlete now,” Candiotti told the Arizona Republic before the tournament. “Look out, Bo Jackson.”

Maybe Candiotti shouldn’t get too carried away. He finished last on the first day of qualifying.

Advantage, Miami: NBA Commissioner David Stern, interviewed by NBA TV’s Rick Kamla during a recent game between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, had this to say about Shaquille O’Neal:

“The distractions in L.A. were such that, according to [O’Neal’s] agent, he’s getting more endorsement opportunities in Miami than he was getting in L.A. You wouldn’t have thought that would be possible.”

Trivia answer: Drew has played in at least 100 games in each of the last six seasons despite six stints on the disabled list.

And finally: Sports Illustrated’s Bill Scheft thinks Phil Jackson may be serious about another run as coach of the Lakers. “Last week,” Scheft wrote, “two of his chakras were looking at houses in Malibu.”