The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - The beer stands at Nationwide Arena may be dry for 10 days. The Ohio Liquor Control Commission has suspended the arena's licenses because the stands sold beer to underage informants in February 2002.

Officials of Midwest Sportservice of Buffalo, N.Y., which operates the stands, could appeal the ruling to Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

The suspension will take effect March 20.

If the decision is not appealed, the 10-day suspension will affect fans attending Blue Jackets games against Toronto March 20 and Atlanta March 22.

Midwest Sportservice officials said Friday that they were disappointed and were reviewing their options.

"We have always been concerned about underage attempts to purchase alcohol," the statement said.

The suspension was imposed after two underage informants for the Ohio Department of Public Safety bought beer at three stands in 14 minutes on Feb. 9, 2002.