Okay, the lesson here is never try to kid around during the hockey season.

A day after the whole media clowns thing, we decide it would be funny if when coach Tortorella came in to meet with reporters today after practice at the St. Pete Times Forum, we all would wear red clown noses. Low and behold, one of the media relations people for the Lightning said he had a box of red noses from when the circus was in town, and he runs to his office to get them.

So Torts comes into the meeting room, looks at four people with red noses, breathes deeply and says, "Great guys. Can we get going here, please. I have things to do."

Didn't even break a grin.

Later, speaking to him alone about a story, I said, "You know, John, we were just trying to have a little fun in there.''

He said, "With what?''

"The red clown noses, after you mentioned about media clowns.''

Torts said he didn't make the connection when he walked into the room. Besides, he added, "I have another name for you , Damian, and it's not media clown.''

We laughed. He was kidding ... I think.