Misconduct
No More Octopi Twirling
This one's been covered in a few places but I figured I'd add my thoughts on it, too.
The NHL has annouced that removal of foreign objects (such as octopi) from the ice surface will now be done solely by the linesmen. This means that Red Wings' zamboni driver Al Sobotka's trademark twirl is effectively banned.
The rumor is that Nashville GM David Poile complained that the twirling left debris on the ice, which was dangerous. If that's true, Ken Holland should return the favor and say that those annoying-ass whistles Predators fans use are dangerous because they could be confused for the real whistle. The two ideas have just as much merit, in my mind.
User Comments
Posted by Johnny Polaris on 4/19/2008 at 6:49 PM
Fans are whistling from their asses? I agree, that would be annoying,not to mention messy.
Sorry, could'nt resist.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 4/20/2008 at 8:33 AM
I find it interesting that there's not more outrage over this. The Freep (via Malik) has a little more on it.
http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/04/a_..._tradition.html
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 4/25/2008 at 5:45 PM
That's genius, Clark! 
Pure, pure, pure genius! 
My brother & I are trying to get tickets, no matter how crappy, and I've always wanted to take a sign. If I get to a game, I will make one! Maybe a Dr. Fil sign too? But I really agree, it's aimed at the Wings, no one else.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 4/26/2008 at 2:21 PM
The Freep continues to dig into this...
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...BLOG24/80426037
Turns out that with an unboiled octopus, you still have to twirl it for several minutes for anything to fly off. Al only does it for a few seconds.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 4/27/2008 at 10:03 AM
John Niyo has more on this this morning...
http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/win...cfm?blogid=1386
In Game One, Al Sobotka twirled an octopus in the zamboni entrance after the officials took it off the ice. The NHL apparently didn't like that, as they stationed an official in that same spot to handle octopi after they were brought over by the linesmen, bypassing Al completely.
And we still don't know why McLeod wasn't fined for picking up and throwing one.
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 4/27/2008 at 1:02 PM
McLeod should've been find. ): Something ridiculous like...matter off of the octopus could get stuck on his stick and interfere with his playing abilities. x]
There's and online petition somewhere for it. I have to find the link, though. Maybe something could happen?
Octopus 8 Petition
Posted by SYfanSD on 4/27/2008 at 4:16 PM
This is crap, the league is either hammering us with BS calls on the ice or taking something away from the fans. We can't win!
This is what happens when your one of the best teams in all of sports. Everybody is jealous and wants to hate the Wings. It's just like some of the people who live on my street, they can't even spell hockey, but they are always talking sh*t when the Wings lose.
Nobody ever calls me when they win! However, when they lose, evereybody has something to say!
I say it's all Bullsh*t and Gary Bettman is a homo!
Posted by -Al- on 4/28/2008 at 10:05 AM
I wonder what the league office would do if 20,000 Wings fans (or however many it would take to fill the Joe) each threw an octopus onto the ice after Detroit's next playoff goal... Think they'd get the hint? LMAO!
Posted by YzerFan19 on 4/28/2008 at 10:48 AM
They'd probably use that opportunity to actually enforce the "no throwing things on the ice" rule and give the Wings a penalty for delay of game.
Posted by -Al- on 4/28/2008 at 12:13 PM
They'd probably use that opportunity to actually enforce the "no throwing things on the ice" rule and give the Wings a penalty for delay of game.
Ya... I completely forgot about that rule... lol
Posted by drwmike33 on 4/28/2008 at 6:45 PM
I just sent the petition to 62 Fraternity Brothers of mine. Hopefully they will pass it on amongst others.
GO WINGS
Posted by SYfanSD on 4/28/2008 at 9:52 PM
I've got two words for Bettman, Dennis Leary! Although he would have something for Boston he would still put Gary in his place.
Lock and Load!
Three Octopi, fire for effect!
Posted by Johnny Polaris on 4/29/2008 at 5:22 PM
Maybe slightly off topic but relevant earlier in the thread. While watching the Stars at Sharks game the other night, I wondered if I was hearing things. Egads, the annoying-ass whistles again.( [adjective]-ass [noun]) as cartoonishly pointed out. Is this in reference to Cheechoo? Like choo-choo train? Kind of a stretch if you ask me.
How about a twirling octopus with 8 whistles attached to the arms.
Eight ways to p*ss off Bettman.
Posted by SYfanSD on 4/29/2008 at 8:47 PM
Maybe slightly off topic but relevant earlier in the thread. While watching the Stars at Sharks game the other night, I wondered if I was hearing things. Egads, the annoying-ass whistles again.( [adjective]-ass [noun]) as cartoonishly pointed out. Is this in reference to Cheechoo? Like choo-choo train? Kind of a stretch if you ask me.
How about a twirling octopus with 8 whistles attached to the arms.
Eight ways to p*ss off Bettman.
Where do I sign up for this?
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 4/29/2008 at 8:48 PM
Where do I sign up for this?
Hahahah. LOCK & LOAD! I love that CD, especially the part about coffee and the random songs on it. XD
I feel so sad, everyone is so witty here! I really like the 8 legged-whistle-octopus thing. XD We should spread the idea!
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 4/30/2008 at 10:49 PM
Photoshop time.
Oh, and might as well show this (I know it's the wrong type of octopus, but the right picture was hard to find).
Doing these has meant I've had to look at his twattish face for too long. I feel slightly sick now.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/7/2008 at 10:55 AM
It's possible that the ban on octopus twirling will be lifted for the Western Conference Finals, according to Helene St. James.
The Wings have been told rules are loosening up regarding twirling the octopus, so maybe, just maybe, Al Sobotka will get to make his moves again this round. The NHL threatened him with a $10,000 fine if he did so because debris comes off the slimy creatures and embeds itself in the ice.
I hope that ends up being true but I've made my opinion on the rule known from the start so that shouldn't come as a surprise.
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