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 ThreeLittleBirds
A Guy
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 752
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 Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! 
#38265 - 05/23/08 11:53 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/nhl_experts/post/Why-the-octopus-still-won-t-twirl-in-Detroit?urn=nhl,84176
Friday, May 23, 2008 5:46 pm EDT
Why the octopus still won't twirl in Detroit
By Greg Wyshynski
With Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings set for Joe Louis Arena on Saturday night, angst over one of the postseason's biggest controversies continues to linger in the Motor City: The NHL's decision to ban octopus twirling on the ice.
Tossing octopi on the ice has been a Detroit hockey tradition dating back to 1952, and longtime arena operations manager Al Sobotka has been whipping around cephalopods to whip Wings fans into a frenzy since 1991. But back in the first round of the playoffs, the NHL vowed to hit the team with a $10,000 fine if Sobotka or anyone else dared twirl an octopus thrown onto the playing surface. The decision sparked massive and immediate fan protests, but the policy has remained in place.
This week, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman defended the League's decision on WDFN's "The Stoney and Wojo Show," claiming the twirl ban is an issue of safety:
"Actually, there's a very good reason for it. We haven't fined or given a delay of game penalty for the throwing of the octopus because we understand and respect the tradition. Having said that, when you swing the octopus around - and I don't know the exact term for it -- but octopus 'gunk' gets on the ice and occasionally has gotten on the players -- the goaltenders -- as it goes by. Occasionally, when it freezes on the ice, it creates a potentially hazardous situation for the players. It's not about interfering with a tradition; it's about making sure nobody gets it in their eyes, like a goaltender nearby, or that nobody blows out a knee getting caught on some frozen gunk."
Somehow, blowing out a knee on octopus goo has escaped us on injury reports for the last 17 years.
The Detroit News has a terrific mini-documentary that details octopus tossing history, and the passion, the sights and the smells that go along with it. While Sobotka's great on-ice tradition has been halted, the News reports he can still swing the octopi on the concourse.
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"Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true........"
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Toiletduk
Head Goon
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,675
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: ThreeLittleBirds]
#38268 - 05/23/08 11:55 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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It is a sad day in hockey. 
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ThreeLittleBirds
A Guy
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 752
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: Toiletduk]
#38271 - 05/24/08 12:02 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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I could see how that could be a huge blow, I don't know why they couldn't just pause a few seconds to have someone run out and clean it up.
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"Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true........"
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 MFDoom666
trash hoarder
Registered: 04/24/08
Posts: 8,842
Loc: emerica
Last seen: 7 years, 1 month
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: ThreeLittleBirds]
#38272 - 05/24/08 12:06 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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the fan comments are so funny. have a read if u haven't already. lawlz.
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FurrowedBrow said:
They should teach african engineering at the college level. mcgyver 101
Harry_Ba11sach said:
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
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rodfarva
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 229
Loc: Sobe
Last seen: 11 years, 11 months
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: MFDoom666]
#38326 - 05/24/08 02:31 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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I will be smuggling an octopus into the joe this week ! 
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dill705
Turns Shrooms to Weed
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 151
Loc: Mi
Last seen: 14 years, 8 months
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: rodfarva]
#38341 - 05/24/08 08:04 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Hells yeah. If I could afford the tickets (and an octopus) I be throwing that shit fo sho
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It's funny how when you're talking about testing the first nuclear weapon, which some scientists thought could possibly set off a chain reaction that would burn off our entire atmosphere and leave a lifeless barren rock floating in space, the risk is justified. But if a few extra people might get stoned it's just too dangerous to try.
-FF
I got $50 on Barack!!!
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Coaster
I'm Back Baby
Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 25,306
Loc: Sativa Central 
Last seen: 13 years, 7 months
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: dill705]
#38398 - 05/24/08 12:36 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Doitagain
Smoothie therapist
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 7,226
Loc: i am everywhere and nowhe...
Last seen: 14 years, 6 months
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: rodfarva]
#38480 - 05/24/08 04:07 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
rodfarva said:
I will be smuggling an octopus into the joe this week !
nice, don't forget to boil it first.
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ltd said:
fgts just don't understand
keep the shit
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mel_lonta_tauda
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 9,407
Loc: the sun
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: dill705]
#38482 - 05/24/08 04:25 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
dill705 said:
Hells yeah. If I could afford the tickets (and an octopus) I be throwing that shit fo sho
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Coaster
I'm Back Baby
Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 25,306
Loc: Sativa Central
Last seen: 13 years, 7 months
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: mel_lonta_tauda]
#38484 - 05/24/08 04:27 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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octoes r cheap
i bought a dozen last nite and i woke up to an empty bag
i dont even remeber eating all them but wutev lawl
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dill705
Turns Shrooms to Weed
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 151
Loc: Mi
Last seen: 14 years, 8 months
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: Coaster]
#39759 - 05/26/08 12:23 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Rodfarva, did you really go see 'em whip that ass?
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It's funny how when you're talking about testing the first nuclear weapon, which some scientists thought could possibly set off a chain reaction that would burn off our entire atmosphere and leave a lifeless barren rock floating in space, the risk is justified. But if a few extra people might get stoned it's just too dangerous to try.
-FF
I got $50 on Barack!!!
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rodfarva
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 229
Loc: Sobe
Last seen: 11 years, 11 months
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Re: Quit throwing them damn Octopus already! [Re: dill705]
#40664 - 05/27/08 08:14 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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Nope, but i was having fun in toronto.. Ill be there if theres a game 5, but it looks like were going to win in pitt 
nothing more fun than walking around dowtown toronto with a wings jerzy on 
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