The Detroit Red Wings have a long-standing tradition of throwing an octopus onto the ice during the NHL playoffs. The eight legs of the octopus used to signify the eight wins needed to win the Stanley Cup, though the format has changed since. Tommy B., Red Wings fan and resident octopus tosser, did his civic duty on Thursday night during the Detroit's game one win, but paid the price in the form of an ejection and the threat of a fine.
Detroit Red Wings Fan Tosses Octopus, Gets Ejected, Causes A Stir
You see, throwing objects on the ice is not only against NHL rules, but is also against local and state laws. Who knew throwing a hat, rat or full-size octopus could get one in so much trouble. Naturally, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman took the brunt of the ire as fans found another reason to hate him for stomping out the Red Wings cherished tradition. After all, what harm does a dead octopus cause?
While many in Detroit fired back, at least one fan was happy with the decision to finally crack-down on those rule-breaker Red Wings fans and their harmful shenanigans. Ron O. sent an email to Deadspin expressing outrage at the preferential treatment Detroit has been receiving and satisfaction those hooligans were finally punished to the fullest extent of the law.
As you all know, the rule was put in place to prevent ritualistic tossing of items on the ice after Florida had their rat tosses causing delays in the game. The Wings, however, continued doing it and HAVE NEVER ONCE BEEN PENALIZED per the letter/rule.
Call me when someone throws a harmful object onto the ice like, say, a venomous cobra, rabid raccoon or killer bees.
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