![The Boston Bruins had no problem whatsoever with the Nashville Predators Feb. 16 — even while having to deal with a flying catfish after a fan threw it on the ice in the middle of the game. [Twitter/Screenshot/Public — @NESN]](https://images.dailycaller.com/image/width=960,height=411,fit=cover,f=auto/https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/fotor_2023-2-17_10_19_10-e1676647204378.jpg "The Boston Bruins had no problem whatsoever with the Nashville Predators Feb. 16 — even while having to deal with a flying catfish after a fan threw it on the ice in the middle of the game. [Twitter/Screenshot/Public — @NESN]")
Hockey fans truly are some of sports’ best.
The Boston Bruins had no problem whatsoever with the Nashville Predators on Feb. 16 — even while having to deal with a flying catfish a fan threw on the ice in the middle of the game.
When it comes to the world of hockey, there’s a lot of rituals that can be viewed as, err, weird, but in the sport itself, it’s completely normal. Just ask the Detroit Red Wings, for example, who throw octopuses on the ice during home postseason games.
With Predators fans, it’s the same thing. They just prefer to throw catfish on their Bridgestone Arena ice. But what made this incident different is the fact that the fish was thrown during live action, breaking the tradition of it only happening during stoppage time or before a game starts.
But can you blame the particular fan?
It came at a time when Boston was pummeling Nashville 4-0 with just a few ticks remaining in the second period. The Predators fans didn’t really have much to root for, so why not just let the catfish fly to get some juice in the arena?
And that’s exactly what happened.
Decent distance, good arc, funny little flop, points off for blood on the ice. 6/10. pic.twitter.com/j10HMeStHp
— NESN (@NESN) February 17, 2023
This whole thing reminds me of my Florida Panthers’ magical run to the Stanley Cup Finals back in 1996.
In case you’re not familiar with the story: Prior to the Panthers’ home opener in the 1995-96 season, Scott Mellanby killed a rat with his hockey stick in the locker room. He scored two goals later that night. John Vanbiesbrouck termed it a “rat trick,” which set off hype with Florida’s fan base.
Now fast forward to the Stanley Cup Finals that season, which the Panthers made after winning the Eastern Conference championship, and it was Game 3 — Florida’s first home game of the Finals. Ray Sheppard hit the first goal for the Cats, but it wouldn’t just be any ordinary celebration for the fans. They rained down thousands of plastic rats on the ice of Miami Arena (and this is why we now have a rat mascot). (RELATED: Florida Panthers Launch Investigation After Their Mascot Viktor E. Ratt Gets Attacked By A Tampa Bay Lightning Fan)
It’s such a glorious moment.
Damn, I love hockey.