Red Wings Octopus

[JayZee]

Al Sobotka Petition

To: Gary Bettman and the NHL

Dear NHL and Gary Bettman,





In a reason segment of Red Wings Live, we, as Red Wing fans, were very discouraged to learn of your threats to fine the Red Wings ice manager Al Sobotka.





The fine is to be levied for "inciting the fans" by swinging the octopii as he removes them from the playing surface.





As you know, this Detroit playoff tradition goes back many years. Why, suddenly, in 2008, is it a problem?





As for "inciting the fans", is it not the home team's fans job to cheer and celebrate for their team? How does the actions of one man become detrimental to the game? It doesn't.





As the league branches out to new fans and new markets, please refrain from silencing the long held traditions of older teams and markets.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

I think this is ridiculous. There is absolutely nothing wrong with throwing the octopus out and swinging it over head.

[LadyX]

Didn't they ban the throwing of those on the ice years and years ago?

[JayZee]

probably, but people still do it.

the problem is Al Sobotka swinging it over his head after he picks it up, leading them to giving him a fine.

i've also heard the reason why they dont want the octopus on the ice is because it puts slime on the ice, which is a lame excuse... so i guess it'd be okay if it were in a plastic baggy right?

[Saleen Cougar]

the league does not condone the octopus on the ice, because they say it delays the game. a few years back they were going to implament a rule that the home team would get a penalty if an octopus were to be thrown on the ice. this was never implemented due to the reason the couldn't police which team the fan cheering for.

[KurtsKougar]

There used to be a time where Florida panters fans threw rubber rats on the ice when they scored at home. and they would time the officials on how long it took to lean them up

[ND4SPD]

I remember that playoff season! It was AWESOME! There were hundreds of those things being thrown!

[JayZee]

so what was the regulation that ended the rat throwing?

[KurtsKougar]

delay of the game.. itd take up to 5 minutes to clean those bastards off the ice..
So they think if they say its ok to throw octopus on the ice, more ppl will do it.

And i understand what ur saying jake.. and being a hockey player for 15 years, there are many factors that can mess up the ice.. if sum1 falls it takes the snow off the ice and makes that spot a little more slick, so i can under stand octopus slime would probably be a big factor, and im sure the red wings could care less if their fans throw octopus on the ice at the cost of possibly making the ice more difficult to play on in the playoffs..

-KK

[JayZee]

good point. plastic baggy FTW then!

[tay76]

I was just at game 1 against colorado, some one threw one, the place goes friggin nuts!!!