A real cutie in her red Panthers jersey, tiny Ariana Grande-Butera attracts plenty of attention when she sits in the first row behind the penalty box. Attention from the officials, from the players, from fellow Panther fans.

But the 5-year-old Boca Raton kid, who has gone to just about every home game since she turned 2, also attracts pucks. Yep. Hockey pucks.

At last night's historic Panther home opener in the squeaky-new arena, her mom, Joan Grande-Butera, was telling Insider about a game last January when her daughter was hit in the right wrist by an errant Gord Murphy shot when _ believe it or not _ she was hit again. This time by a puck fired by an unidentified Tampa Bay player.

That made her the first fan hit in a regular-season game in the new building. She was struck in the left wrist and rushed by her folks to the nearest first aid station. Diagnosis: Just a small bruise, taken care of in minutes with an ice pack.

"What are the odds of this happening," wondered dad, graphic designer Ed Grande-Butera, visibly shaken.

The last time, the players felt so bad that they gave Ariana various pieces of equipment. No such luck Friday night. Except that she made history once again at the first intermission. Waving at fans like a queen taking a horse and carriage ride, she was the first kid of the season to ride the Zamboni.

"She's such a great fan that we bought her the ride at an auction," mom said. Price tag on this one: $200.

Here's hoping that Ariana will finish the season with all her teeth.

Hard work pays

He's known as "the rumble guy." His gigs are the shortest in show biz, most lasting for as long as it takes to say, "Let's get ready to rrrrrrrumble?" But Michael Buffer sure takes his job seriously.

He came out on the ice two hours before Friday's game and actually practiced the line. Later, he introduced the Panthers and then hollered his trademark call.

"This place has the best acoustics around," he said. He should know. He's been screaming out the line at thousands of sporting events for the past 16 years.

How much does he get for this? He won't say how much he made at the Panthers game, but he said he's on track to make $1 million bucks this year.

"See," he said half-jokingly while straightening out his gold Rolex, "this proves that when one works hard and keeps one's nose to the grindstone, one can become something."

He's now preparing for his next appearance: a bar mitzvah Sunday in Phildelphia.

Star-gazing

One thing about the Panthers is sure: they're not the L.A. Lakers. If you go to games hoping to see heavyweights like Jack Nicholson or Billy Crystal, fuhgetaboutit.

But it doesn't mean there weren't any celebs at the arena. While QBs Dan Marino and Bernie Kosar and Heat point guard Tim Hardaway hung out in separate champagne-and-fine-food suites, Panthers boss H. Wayne Huizenga entertained NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in his large private room.

"It's a spectacular arena," Bettman said. "Well laid-out, spacious, comfortable. One of the best in the league.

In the nose-bleed seats

While some folks at Stanley's, the arena's luxury restaurant, sipped on $145-per-bottle Dom Perignon, Michael Brinkmann enjoyed his seats, the farthest from the ice. Section 411, Row 16. From there, the players look like ants.

"I went to Ticketmaster at Publix this morning and waited in line," said Brinkmann, a plumbing contractor from Coral Springs. "There was a lottery for a handful of tickets and I got them. They're $16." His wife and four kids just happy to be there with him.

"We live in the same gated community as [Panthers coach) Terry Murray," Brinkmann said. "We didn't want to ask him for good seats. We're still excited, though."

Stan the man

Sobe's Stan Rosen took advantage of Friday night's new beginning to show off a quarter of his hockey pin collection. There were 54 pins around the Panther logo on his jersey.

He also owns a one-of-a-kind pin: One that reads "Panthers: Stanley Cup Champions." He said it was made two years ago, when the team lost the Cup finals. It had been manufactured just in case the Panthers had won.

Hey.

Ya never know.