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Octopus twirl now illegal, punishable by $10,000 fine (NHL)
Mlive/AP ^ | 4-20-07 | George James Malik

Posted on 04/20/2008 12:27:16 PM PDT by Darren McCarty

Posted by George James Malik April 19, 2008 08:29AM According to the Free Press's Helene St. James, the NHL has banned Al Sobotka's classic twirling of octopi at Joe Louis Arena:

April 18, Detroit Free Press: Just a little tidbit from Joe Louis Arena: The NHL has decided octopus twirling doesn't fit in with league image, or something to that effect.

The Wings have been told by the league that if Al Sobotka (or anyone else) twirls the octopus that's thrown onto the ice before playoff games, it'll cost the team $10,000.

I know opposing general managers have complained of this tradition because stuff flies off the octopus and sticks to the ice, but this is such a recognizable Detroit tradition.

One landed, just after the game, on the ice before Game 5, as usual. Nashville defenseman Greg Zanon skated by and whacked it aside with his stick.

........

Chris Osgood describes the situation as any Red Wings fan would:

"Certain teams and certain traditions, they should just leave them alone," the Wings' Chris Osgood said. "It's a shame. It's great for the atmosphere, and the fans love it. The league should ask the fans first before they do anything. That's who pays to get into the rink and see the game."

(Excerpt) Read more at blog.mlive.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: garybettman; hockey; nhl; octopus; octopussy; octopustwirling; redwings
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To: Red Steel

That Zamboni driver looks like a dead octopus cut his hair.


41 posted on 04/20/2008 1:27:55 PM PDT by Krankor (kROGER)
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To: processing please hold; big'ol_freeper; Lil'freeper; TrueKnightGalahad; blackie; Larry Lucido; ...
Re: What the heck is an octopus twirl?

It is Kramers variation of Jerry's "move." You remember... the one he didn't want Puddy using in bed with Elaine. The one George ended with a knuckle.

42 posted on 04/20/2008 1:28:58 PM PDT by Bender2 ("I've got a twisted sense of humor, and everything amuses me." RAH Beyond this Horizon)
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To: Cobra64
You read the article and posted twice. Why?

If you don't like the topic, don't read it or waste your precious time posting.

43 posted on 04/20/2008 1:30:17 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
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Comment #44 Removed by Moderator

To: Krankor
"Abusing or tormenting any kind of animal is despicable and cowardly. It shows a lack of humanity."

I'm with you on this

45 posted on 04/20/2008 1:42:02 PM PDT by balls
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To: Cobra64
Culture/Society - Discussion of health, education, welfare, drugs, abortion, environment, housing, unions, employment, social security, religion, arts, humanity, sports, and other cultural and societal issues.

I don’t have a clue what this has to do with politics.

Bettman's a democrat.

Please post this stuff over on Sports Illustrated

No.

Hey, you didn't have to click on this thread.

46 posted on 04/20/2008 1:57:47 PM PDT by Darren McCarty (Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in - Michael Corleone)
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To: All
I think I see a market opening up for realistic looking plastic octopus. Better get them out there now and pile them high and watch them fly!

Americans will buy anything.

47 posted on 04/20/2008 2:08:02 PM PDT by 4yearlurker (I miss Ronnie!!!!!)
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To: Darren McCarty

How about if he swings around a plate of deep fried calamari instead?

Would the league fine him?


48 posted on 04/20/2008 2:29:45 PM PDT by Mr. Brightside
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To: Krankor

Agreed. I assume they are dead given that they don’t do too well out of saltwater. It is, nevertheless, a disgusting “tradition”. If they were twirling around a bucket of phlegm, it would be no less disgusting.

I used to play hockey and I read about the great Detroit teams of the past (terry sawchuck, gordie howe, etc.). I don’t remember ever hearing about this “tradition” until a few years ago. I call BS on the “tradition” claim.


49 posted on 04/20/2008 2:40:59 PM PDT by Ilya Mourometz
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To: DannyTN

“Can they replace it with a midget toss?

Cat Juggling?”

Jihadi killing?


50 posted on 04/20/2008 2:49:41 PM PDT by Levante
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To: Darren McCarty
This thread is titled: "News/Activism"
51 posted on 04/20/2008 3:00:28 PM PDT by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: DannyTN

Can they replace it with a midget toss?

How about them using something like a creepy crawler rubber thang that looks like a octopus.


52 posted on 04/20/2008 3:04:42 PM PDT by chainsaw ( No black racist Muslims in the WH either)
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To: DannyTN

Can they replace it with a midget toss?

How about them using something like a creepy crawler rubber thangs that looks like an octopus.


53 posted on 04/20/2008 3:06:47 PM PDT by chainsaw ( No black racist Muslims in the WH either)
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To: mikrofon
And why do they call them tentacles when they’re only eight of ‘em?

Because they're suckers.

54 posted on 04/20/2008 3:09:00 PM PDT by OeOeO
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To: Dr.Deth
"Twirling the octopus?"

Is that what they call it these days?

No, that's the Monopus.

55 posted on 04/20/2008 3:20:52 PM PDT by Gorzaloon
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To: mikrofon

Same reason they still call them testicles, even though you’ve proven they work.


56 posted on 04/20/2008 3:22:06 PM PDT by gitmo (From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.)
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To: afortiori
Can't say that I can think of a comparable sport ritual involving the desecration of a real dead animal's body.

At NASCAR races, they throw chicken wings on the lower seats. Usually its just the bones.

57 posted on 04/20/2008 3:23:30 PM PDT by gitmo (From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.)
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To: Ilya Mourometz
If they were twirling around a bucket of phlegm, it would be no less disgusting.

You mean, "... it would be no MORE disgusting."

... because you want to assert that the octopus is just as disgusting as phlegm would be, not that phlegm would be just as disgusting as the octopus.

58 posted on 04/20/2008 3:23:41 PM PDT by dr_lew
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To: gitmo

Touche’ ;)


59 posted on 04/20/2008 3:24:30 PM PDT by mikrofon
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To: Darren McCarty

Bettman is a moron. And the NHL’s decision to grant Versus almost the entire television rights was a huge mistake. The playoffs are hockey’s time to attract new fans, and many folks don’t even have Versus.


60 posted on 04/20/2008 3:25:35 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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