USHL coaches star in ‘Date Night’ commercial (VIDEO)

A team that is selling hockey in America's heartland surely has to do something to stand out; the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders have done so with their 'Everything Is Better With Hockey: Date Night' commercial.

The ad produced by Metro Studios features a nervous young suitor — actually Riders 23-year-old assistant coach Doug Leaverton, who can still play youthful — dropping off a woman at her door. Not sure how to end the night — who hasn't been there — he calls timeout and returns to the bench, er, end of the sidewalk to get some tips from coach Mark Carlson.

Fortunately, Carlson's there with encouragement — "We're looking for a kiss here! Don't try to be perfect, though! We gotta make a play!" — and a shot of breath spray.

Carlson was a left wing in his playing days, which included getting drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins and skating for Massachusetts-Lowell. Now he's playing wingman? It works.

It is great to see a United States Hockey League club being creative at trying to attract sports consumers who might not ordinary consider spending cash on hockey tickets, trying to show how it can become a habit. Hence the hashtag #EverythingIsBetterWithHockey.

Competing with college and high school football during the autumn months is a tough challenge, but as the saying goes, hockey is best savored live. The commercial looks professionally done, so it probably cost Cedar Rapids a few shekels, but some Canadian Hockey League teams that accept playing in front in half-full rinks early in the season might wish to take notes.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca.