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Let The Octopus Fly
by Paul on 04/23/08 at 08:55 PM ET
Comments (7)
from Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press,
It’s over. If Al tries it tonight, it’s a $10,000 fine. That’s a lot of Zamboni rides. And whose bright idea was this? What NHL official actually sat at a desk and decided that a tentacle twirl is bad for business? When asked for an explanation, the NHL sent this e-mail to the Free Press last week: “Because matter flies off the octopus and gets on the ice when he does it.”
This from a sport on a TV network known for cattle rustling.
“Well, I, for one, am glad,” says the octopus. “You have no idea what it’s like.”
What what is like?
“My journey. Think about it. I start in the ocean. I’m happy, I’m content. I have eight of everything. Next thing I know, I’m in a net, then a boat, then a glass window in a fish shop, next to a cod. And the next thing I know I’m in a plastic bag, then in a car, and then — then I get stuffed down someone’s pants.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
That is a specious arguement. There is no matter to be flung from said cephalopod if boiled to a nice rosy color with a slight rubbery texture. I say screw the NHL on this one. I’d send $20 to the Al Sobotka fund.
Release the Kraken!!!
Posted by Puck from San Francisco, CA on 04/24/08 at 02:16 AM ET
Very true.
Cooked octopus isn’t at all slimy, as anyone who has eaten one will tell you. Swinging it is harmless. If they don’t want the crowd fired up, then prohibit the inane cheerleaders and any loud music, too.
If this holds, they should fine Versus every time they run the commercial with the octopus hitting the ice in slow-motion. If the NHL prohibits it, then that commercial is advocating breaking the rules.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/24/08 at 04:56 AM ET
There is a Al Sobotka petition to sign if anybody is interested.
http://www.petitiononline.com/octopus8/petition.html
Bettmans e-mail:
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 04/24/08 at 08:22 AM ET
Isn’t it a bit ironic that Versus is showing their SC Playoff commercials that feature an octopus flopping around on the ice and referring to it as a “cult following”, while the league is banning it at the same time?
Posted by Carolina On Ice on 04/24/08 at 08:45 AM ET
I still think the organ-I-zation should play a video of “Al’s Greatest Twirls” on the big screen every time an octopus hits the ice AND after every Red Wings goal. I’d LOVE to hear the league’s response.
Plus, I’m still waiting for the official bans on:
-- Tootoo whistles in Nashville (I guess this one can’t really kick in until next season)
-- Playing a recording of Kate Smith singing “God Bless America” in Philadelphia
-- Canadiens fans singing that stupid “Ole, Ole, Ole” song
-- Avs fans being, well, Avs fans
(I’m not going to hold my breath waiting, though.)
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/24/08 at 09:51 AM ET
-- Canadiens fans singing that stupid “Ole, Ole, Ole” song
Give them a two-minute crowd minor for premature celebration - or just wait about 45 seconds until the opponent scores a goal. That’s what usually happens. 
Although I wonder what happens if several dozen octopi hit the ice at once. It would be quicker to clear the ice if the league uses trained, experienced personnel instead of rookie mollusc-wranglers, such as untrained officials.
If it’s just the twirling, then what if he held it up to the crowd for display, so everyone could see how big it was?
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/24/08 at 10:26 AM ET
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Ridiculous, plain and simple. This rule wasn’t made because of the “matter” that gets on the ice. It was made because someone bitched enough for whatever reason. It is a senseless rule, and I say f@$k the league and do it anyway. What’s $10,000 to an organization that makes millions. Plus doesn’t the money go to a charity? I think the next time Gary visits the Joe, we should save the octopi for him instead of the ice.
Posted by Sp4r7an on 04/23/08 at 10:10 PM ET