Norm! column

Aug. 2, 2008

Tempers heat up at LV Ice Center

Sparks flew when actor Alan Thicke showed up to promote BMW's new electric car on Friday at the Las Vegas Ice Center.

All media interviews were abruptly canceled without explanation because of a "situation," according to a rep for the event.

Las Vegas freelance writer Steve Friess was among those who arrived at the ice center, at 9295 W. Flamingo, and was told the star of "Family Ties" had just bolted.

Friess wrote on his blog, VegasHappensHere.com, that the event's publicist sent him an e-mail saying, "There was a situation with an earlier event at the ice center, nothing to do with my client or the car, that is the catalyst for all of this."

This much we know: One of the earlier events that took place at the ice center was the annual Bad Boys of Hockey tournament organized by prominent producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Thicke had played in an earlier game at the ice center.

A source says tempers flared in the 110-degree heat when the hockey players, usually a mix of Hollywood stars and National Hockey League standouts, saw a local TV reporting crew on the premises. Media coverage of the event has been a sensitive subject in the past.

Thicke was there to pitch BMW's new electric Mini Cooper until someone blew a fuse.

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