Throwing an octopus at the Joe no longer allowed

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

97.1 in Detroit just reported that Ozzie went off on Bettman regarding this and it is on video. Video will be posted shortly.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

97.1 in Detroit just reported that Ozzie went off on Bettman regarding this and it is on video. Video will be posted shortly.

Can't wait to see this.

[CrimsonFlame 424]

Reported via 97.1 Franzen would help anyone pay the fine if caught. What a trooper.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Reported via 97.1 Franzen would help anyone pay the fine if caught. What a trooper.

That's great.

But what's not great is that Bettman's brownshirts now have a new target as well.

[ChelisChick 174]

All this sounds like a ploy to increase interest in the Wings, playoffs, and the NHL in general. I can't be the only one! It reads like a really bad soap opera.

[55fan 5,133]

What happens if we decide to bring in a stuffed toy octopus and throw it on the ice?

You will be arrested by GI Joe and an army of Clone Troopers, locked in a toybox, and you will have to pay a fine in Monopoly money. You will also be banned from playing Hungry Hungry Hippos and Don't Break the Ice for a year.

I agree that this story is bent, twisted, fabricated, or in some way altered.

[legaleaglewingsfan 75]

You will also be banned from playing Hungry Hungry Hippos and Don't Break the Ice for a year.

You sir win for the Detroit Ad reference.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

So does this mean that hats on the ice after a hat trick are frowned upon now? You never know, a player might not see one and trip and fall headfirst into the ice.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

Haha didn't they try to do this last year?

[Dimaline312000 51]

What a bunch of f***ED up Hoses***. That just pisses me off. Thanks for ruining a great tradition that has been around for many many years. That is absolutely disgusting I'm fuming right now. I ******* hate the NHL and all those ***** ass fans that have a problem with throwing and octopus on the ice. I could see if it was a puck and it was injuring a player or something like that, Than I'd be fine with taking it out of the game but this is something we as Wings fans just do. Now I admit I've never done it but have always wanted to and now I won't ever get the chance to without facing some f***ed up charges and a huge ass fine. Sorry for all the swearing but just reading this makes me very mad. I agree with Esteef let's all throw them and see what the f*** they do. Let's Go Red Wings!!!!

[55fan 5,133]

You sir win for the Detroit Ad reference.

Why, thank you! Thank you very much!

And now, kids, for those of you worried about hat tricks, let's review the rules:

63.4 Objects Thrown on the Ice – In the event that objects are thrown on the ice that interfere with the progress of the game, the Referee shall blow the whistle and stop the play and the puck shall be faced-off at a face-off spot in the zone nearest to the spot where play is stopped. When objects are thrown on the ice during a stoppage in play, including after the scoring of a goal, the Referee shall have announced over the public address system that any further occurrences will result in a bench minor penalty being assessed to the home Team. Articles thrown onto the ice following a special occasion (i.e. hat trick) will not result in a bench minor penalty being assessed. Refer also to Rule 53.6 when spectator interference occurs during a breakaway.

See? No worries. It's in the Official NHL Rule Book. Now all we have to do is determine whether or not the National Anthem, a Detroit goal, or the end of the game constitutes a special enough occasion that we can use this rule to get by with it.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

I will contribute heavily to any fine pot we collect for. Why make money if you can't enjoy spending it.

I PROMISE all of you should I ever come across Gary Bettman in my travels in NYC it WILL be impressed upon him what a f---ing douchebag he is.

[LAW 7]

Update from Malik:

I hit the usual wall when talking to the City of Detroit and attempting to contact the Red Wings regarding the fact that there’s a $500 fine for throwing an octopus at Joe Louis Arena and moved onto other stuff, assuming that the mainstream media would get down to business today, but On the Wings’ Matt Saler deserves a ridiculous amount of credit for sticking with the story and getting to the bottom of things via a call to the Detroit Police department:

Officer Bullock informed me that the enforcement of Municipal Code 38-5-4 is at the request of the NHL. Evidently, police supervisors were informed Wednesday night, either before or during the game, by League representatives that they don’t want anything thrown on the ice. An officer has to witness the throw and nab the thrower on the spot, but it’s something they can and will enforce. Apparently, distance from players is not an issue: any octopus on the ice is grounds for ejection and a fine. I asked if it applied to hats thrown down for a hat trick and Officer Bullock pointed out it’d be much harder to enforce on hundreds/thousands of hats versus a few octopi.

The interesting part is that the Wings are not the ones asking for it. According to Officer Bullock, they’re fine with the tradition, and even like it. And I gather the police aren’t big fans of enforcing it either. It’s up to the officer’s discretion, so it’s possible fans may still get away with it at times. But with NHL officials pushing for it, it’s less safe to throw than it ever has been. Previously, it may have been a bit of an empty threat. Now it has teeth.

Update:I don’t know what to say about this quip from the Sporting News’s Craig Custance:

The Red Wings issued this statement.

“The throwing of objects on the ice surface is prohibited by the National Hockey League and persons caught doing so may be subject to prosecution for violating local and state laws.”

There were at least four octopi thrown on the Joe Louis ice Wednesday, and goalie Jimmy Howard joked that he almost got hit by one during the national anthem. “It landed right in front of me,” he said.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said the octopus controversy was news to him. “I don’t know anything about it,” he said. “I like calamari as much as the next guy. I don’t like batter on it, I like it spicy… it’s part of tradition here.”

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/tmr

[legaleaglewingsfan 75]

So moral of the story is ask the police in the area 1. if they will be enforcing the law and if so 2. to kindly turn around?

[WingZNut13 99]

Per MLive

Wow......

[LAW 7]

I was thinking about this last night. I don't think the story is true because even if Bettman passes some stupid rule, I don't think he can have people arrested and taken to court unless it's against a city ordinance. The most he could do is have you thrown out and have to pay a fine if you ever want to attend a game again. If they take you to jail and court and make you pay a city fine then there has to be an ordinance or law against throwing an octopus on the ice. So let's blame city council.

WAIT CONSPIRACY THEORY Bettman is working with city council to hurt the city of Detroit even more!

It is a Detroit Ordinance:

Sec. 38-5-4. - Same—Throwing of bottles, cans, etc., prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to cast, throw, hurl or fling any bottle, can, receptacle, or any other object which could cause injury or damage in the spectator area where any athletic contests or exhibition is conducted or into or upon the area used for the conduct of such contests or exhibition while the same is in progress and during intermissions and delays of such contest or exhibition.

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=10649&stateId=22&stateName=Michigan

[chuklz 15]

So moral of the story is ask the police in the area 1. if they will be enforcing the law and if so 2. to kindly turn around?

Just get a pretty girl to ask the officer nicely.

[evilzyme 769]

Lol Babcock's feedback is priceless.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

No surprise that it is the NHL being a mother f***** in this situation. I hope that the police decide to selectively enforce this especially considering the kind of money that the Illitch's and Wings' fans bring to the city.

[R-Dizzle 119]

I actually noticed something before the game on wednesday. It was posted on the video board and said a few times, that if a fan throws anything on the ice during the game(I assumed this to be octupi) that the home team will be assessed a 2 minute delay of game penalty. I had heard of this before, but never had I seen this said/posted at the joe. I wanna hear the boos the first time a penalty is called for throwing an octupi. Lame.

If that's the case. Whats there stop an opposing fan from throwing one on the ice in hopes of getting a penalty on the Wings?

[Hossa4Life 4]

I can not believe there are people here defending cops and saying that they are just enforcing the rules. If someone throws a octopus on the ice and isnt endangering anyone they could easily turn the other way. But no they see a way to make some quick cash and they pounce on it. Its disgusting how people will defend the police they think it makes them look intelligent or well spoken. There is no reason at all that the police should be fining or arresting someone for carrying out an safe, non-offensive and timeless tradition. Just ridiculous to me.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

I can not believe there are people here defending cops and saying that they are just enforcing the rules. If someone throws a octopus on the ice and isnt endangering anyone they could easily turn the other way. But no they see a way to make some quick cash and they pounce on it. Its disgusting how people will defend the police they think it makes them look intelligent or well spoken. There is no reason at all that the police should be fining or arresting someone for carrying out an safe, non-offensive and timeless tradition. Just ridiculous to me.

Why are you acting like a majority of octopi throwers are being arrested, jailed, and ticketed? This is a minority case. Cool your damn jets. The heat on the NHL from fans and the press is going to make them break. Even if the NHL doesn't break, this isn't going to stop anyone. In fact, it will probably lead to an increase in octopi at tomorrow's game.

Edited April 15, 2011 by Howard He Do It?!

[Robby2419 7]

ok now that i have a few more details, i can state my opinion.

is throwing stuff on the ice grounds for ejection? yes and it always has been. octopi chuckers usually go quietly and willingly with no fuss and all parties involved have generally seemed to be cooperative and peaceful. everyone know what theyre getting themselves into.

that said, this is still complete and total bulls***. f*** commisioner golem

link to ozzie video

http://detroit.cbslo...agedwith-video/

Edited April 15, 2011 by Robby2419

[ACallToArms 270]

Why, thank you! Thank you very much!

And now, kids, for those of you worried about hat tricks, let's review the rules:

See? No worries. It's in the Official NHL Rule Book. Now all we have to do is determine whether or not the National Anthem, a Detroit goal, or the end of the game constitutes a special enough occasion that we can use this rule to get by with it.

I guess technically after the national anthem and after the game ends would be fine, since these are outside of official game time. I'd say scoring a goal during a playoff game counts as a special occasion, but they'll probably put a special "cephalopod" clause in the rulebook. Why does Bettman hate this team so much?

[wingfan1991 221]

THIS IS BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!