In a bid to lure back fans, average ticket prices for the 2005-06 National Hockey League season are lower than they were before a lockout eliminated last season's games, accroding to a marketing survey report from Chicago Wednesday.

The average ticket price for NHL games has fallen 7.5 percent from the 2003-2004 season to 41.19 US dollars, with two-thirds of the 30 teams dropping prices.

These NHL price reductions are the first in 12 years, according to Team Marketing Report, a sports marketing firm that performs cost surveys.

The Detroit Red Wings, a perennial NHL power who have some of the league's highest ticket prices, dropped their average ticket cost nearly $14 to $43.13, the report said.

However, the New Jersey Devils kept their prices at $54.67.

Several teams have launched publicity drives after the lost season, making players more available to fans and distributing free merchandise.

A lockout led to the cancellation of the 2004-05 season in February, when the NHL became the first North American professional sports league to lose a season because of a labour dispute.

Source: Xinhua