Throwing on Octopus for first time, need pointers.

**Umbound** · February-14-11, 09:39 PM

Hi DetroitYes!, I was wondering if anyone on here has thrown an octopus on the ice during a Red Wings game? I have not been to a game in almost two years and my friends and I want to do it. So what would be the best time to do it? And will my friends and i get kicked out for it? I just need a whole list of things to know so we can pick the game. Thank you.

Lance

**One Shot** · February-15-11, 12:56 PM

No experience here but have known that if you get caught your out.
A little early in the season yet to be throwing one. Closer to playoffs will get a better reception.
Timing? Depends how much of the game you want to miss.

**Umbound** · February-15-11, 03:07 PM

Thats good enough. Thanks One Shot.

**Thruster315** · February-20-11, 04:45 PM

At what point does this "tradition" become a fad?

I dunno. Maybe I'm a fuddy duddy but it just slows the game down. I'm not averse to fans having a damn good time hootin' & hollerin' in the stands but why heave a damn octopus onto the ice [[yeah, I know the background story from ages ago) and killing the Wings' momentum? Do the wave. Sing. Cheer. Boo. Clap. Chant the opposing goalie's name.

Anyone remember when the Panthers had rubber rats thrown out onto the ice and it took them forever to clean off the ice? Wasn't there also another team that had fish or something else along those lines tossed onto the ice as well?

Conversely the tossing of the hats out there for a player's hat trick is also along the same lines but I guess I'm rattling out of both sides of my mouth when I say that, but heaving soggy ass octopi out onto the ice only to have some guys come out there and shovel it seems pretty disgusting. And maybe I'm remembering things back from the first Stanley Cup win at the Joe but wasn't there a formula or a recipe for boiling up the octopus before tossing it so it doesn't spiral and splatter over the fans on its way over?

Simply put, if you're going to do it- have a semi- sound rationale for doing it other than drawing unwanted attention to yourselves. Realize they'll bum toss your ass from the rink [[do they keep track of who does these things?). It might give the rest of the fans [[which you won't be a part of any more because you'll be outside now) a slight charge for all of :05 seconds and that'll be it. Do it at your expense and risk. I wouldn't do it nor would I recommend anyone I care about doing it but that's my take.

**TKshreve** · February-20-11, 11:58 PM

I've always liked seeing the octopus land on the ice near the end of Karen Newman's Star Spangled Banner. The crowd goes absolutely bonkers and your 15 minutes of fame are incredible.

Did not know that about getting kicked out, but it might be worth it with standing room only tickets. Then you can head to the bar [[assuming you did get the boot) and swill down some cheapies.

**Meddle** · February-21-11, 12:26 AM

I don't imagine the Octopus would be too wild about it.

How about throwing a college student on the ice and see how they do?

**Thruster315** · February-21-11, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by TKshreve

I've always liked seeing the octopus land on the ice near the end of Karen Newman's Star Spangled Banner. The crowd goes absolutely bonkers and your 15 minutes of fame are incredible.

Did not know that about getting kicked out, but it might be worth it with standing room only tickets. Then you can head to the bar [[assuming you did get the boot) and swill down some cheapies.

So $50+ for Standing Room tickets where all you do is heave an object [[in this case, the famed octopus) out after the National Anthem, and you supposedly get this fifteen minutes of fame? Who the hell even knows who you are other than the surly security detail and the few other anonymous people around that saw you? What kind of fame is that?

Damn right those drinks at the local bar had better be cheap because you're no longer watching the game from the confines of the Joe. The other folks who paid for the SRO tickets now suddenly have more room because they don't have to hug a wall next to your fat ass. $50+ for that honor? No thanks.

Hell, spend that money on higher end booze at home or at the bar. Or plunk it down towards a Robocop statue for all I care.

**Downriviera** · February-21-11, 06:25 PM

Talk to the Cusimano brothers at their fish market, they started it all way back when. I think its in eastern market.

**401don** · February-21-11, 09:49 PM

Don't do it kid. Just walk away. Sure. It sounds like fun, heaving a big slimey 8 legged creature while people all around cheer but it can ruin your life. You end up a 34 yr old washed up never was with a minor league contract.
Sincerely,
Matt Anderson

**Downriviera** · February-22-11, 06:48 AM

The 8 legs [[tentacles) of the octopus represented the 8 games needed to win the Stanley Cup back in the days of the original 6 teams. Since it now takes a lot more than 8 games to win the cup, maybe you should consider throwing a centipede on the ice.

**12468_laing** · February-22-11, 03:02 PM

actually I threw one on the ice many years ago, back in the Bobby Krom coached days and bought it at Cusimano's. The key back then was to pour a little vegetable oil on it to kill the smell, then put it in a plastic bag to get past the guards. When ya throw it, you put the tentacles between your fingers and throw it so it spins in the air.
BUT, like 401don says, be prepared to be kicked out. You never know Umbound, your day of glory may come many years later when you tell someone how you did it.

**Johnlodge** · February-23-11, 11:26 AM

If you want to be real cool you have to throw the octopus onto somebody else's ice during an away game. Just don't be one of those a-holes who throws it in the middle of a play. They ruin it for everybody.

**Thruster315** · February-24-11, 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by Johnlodge

If you want to be real cool you have to throw the octopus onto somebody else's ice during an away game. Just don't be one of those a-holes who throws it in the middle of a play. They ruin it for everybody.

That'd be effin' brave and nuts! I can just see the hometown fans coming to beat some serious Detroit ass if that were to happen. You'd have to haul out of there so quick just to avoid the fans wanting to murder you much less have the security staff show you their "hospitality".

And if one wants to consider fame by having unruly fans shouting ungodly obscenities at you, I guess that's one measure of fame. But if shouting is all they do to you for doing this stunt at an away game, be thankful.

**Downriviera** · February-24-11, 06:48 AM

If you're going to throw the octopus on the road, I would suggest Chicago. The Hawks fans are always friendly to Wings fans and will probably help you throw it and then buy you a beer.

**Johnlodge** · February-24-11, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Thruster315

That'd be effin' brave and nuts! I can just see the hometown fans coming to beat some serious Detroit ass if that were to happen. You'd have to haul out of there so quick just to avoid the fans wanting to murder you much less have the security staff show you their "hospitality".

And if one wants to consider fame by having unruly fans shouting ungodly obscenities at you, I guess that's one measure of fame. But if shouting is all they do to you for doing this stunt at an away game, be thankful.

It happened in the last away game against Tampa Bay, but then again, the crowd was majority Wings fans! Ice keeper didn't clean it with any of the style of Al, though.

**TKshreve** · February-24-11, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Johnlodge

If you want to be real cool you have to throw the octopus onto somebody else's ice during an away game. Just don't be one of those a-holes who throws it in the middle of a play. They ruin it for everybody.

Believe it or not, my brother has an old friend living in Anaheim these days. Two years ago when the Wings were taking on Anaheim in their new arena [[The Pond I think they call it) he went out to visit with his family and friends. They also decided to catch the Wings/Ducks playoff game scheduled during their visit.

Well they came up with the plan to toss and octo onto the ice during the game. And got away with it.

They also said the new arena was friggin' incredible. Wish I could say the same about the Joe.

@Thruster - easy now. It was just a suggestion. Plus you can get $12 tickets for regular season games. Not sure where you got the $50 pricepoint.

**Thruster315** · February-25-11, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by TKshreve

@Thruster - easy now. It was just a suggestion. Plus you can get $12 tickets for regular season games. Not sure where you got the $50 pricepoint.

Actually if you go to the Wings' official website, it lists standing room only ticket prices at a mind blowing $56.75 [[not including the convenience fees).

I'm curious as to the $12 seats- they must be up in the serious nosebleeds and in the corners where not unless you've got a Zumaya-esque arm, there's no way anyone's going to be able to throw anything that'll reach the ice.

**TKshreve** · February-28-11, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Thruster315

Actually if you go to the Wings' official website, it lists standing room only ticket prices at a mind blowing $56.75 [[not including the convenience fees).

I'm curious as to the $12 seats- they must be up in the serious nosebleeds and in the corners where not unless you've got a Zumaya-esque arm, there's no way anyone's going to be able to throw anything that'll reach the ice.

I went to a game this year and purchased tickets at a student rate of I wanna say $18. I've heard there are cheaper seats available. It's easy to sneak down later on into the lower bowl. That's just how I would do it.

Regarding the standing room tickets, I would have to agree that the price is high for not getting a seat, however the view is probably pretty good near center ice. No heads to peer around or getting up for people to get by. Plus you can be one of the first people outta there once the game is finished.

**wolverine** · March-01-11, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by Downriviera

If you're going to throw the octopus on the road, I would suggest Chicago. The Hawks fans are always friendly to Wings fans and will probably help you throw it and then buy you a beer.

+1

They will!

**smogboy** · March-06-11, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by TKshreve

Regarding the standing room tickets, I would have to agree that the price is high for not getting a seat, however the view is probably pretty good near center ice. No heads to peer around or getting up for people to get by. Plus you can be one of the first people outta there once the game is finished.

Eons ago I was given SRO tickets and while it was nice to be at center ice, I still had to duck & weave to see the action because of the patrons walking in front of me. I'm not exactly microscopic [[5'10") and I still had to bob around people to really see the action at times.

It wasn't until I got season tickets that I appreciated the steady regulars there in our section. We were all die-hard fans and we knew when NOT to get up and disturb one another. I had seats on the very end and rarely did I have to be bothered by standing up and letting people in or out. I guess a lot of it depends on where you get your seats and who is in your section though. Personally I've been blessed by having a great usher we see all the time and a great group of regulars we can discuss the game with.

**Meddle** · April-15-11, 10:36 PM

This isn't you is it?

Last Updated: April 15. 2011 5:17PM
Wings fan says he was fined $500 for Game 1 octopus toss
Rod Beard / The Detroit News

Throwing an octopus on the ice during Red Wings games is a tradition in Detroit — but one that now can result in a $500 fine.

Tom Balish, 27, of Canton said he threw an octopus on the ice during Game 1 of the Red Wings' playoff series against Phoenix on Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena.

In addition to the rousing applause he received from fans, he was also given a citation with a $500 fine and escorted out of the arena.

Balish said he was stopped as he entered the arena and showed the ushers a bag containing the octopus.

"I opened the bag and showed it to them and they said, 'Come on in,'" Balish said. "I've done it eight times before and never had a problem."

When he went to throw the octopus on the ice after Pavel Datsyuk's goal in the second period, he said he was not stopped nor warned by any security guard or usher. Balish also said five other octopi had been tossed on the ice prior to his — and none of those fans were ejected.

"I started to walk up the stairs to go back to my seat and two gentlemen with NHL badges said, 'You're going to jail,'" Balish said.

The Red Wings organization released a statement Friday: "The throwing of objects onto 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."

Detroit Police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens said the incident violated city ordinance 38-5-4, which prohibits throwing objects on the playing area during sporting events.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said Friday he hadn't heard about the incident, but joked about his seafood preferences.

"I don't know anything about it," Babcock said. "I like calamari as much as the next guy. I don't like batter on it, but I like it spicy and cooked."

Babcock said the octopus tradition in Detroit is special — as long as it doesn't diminish the quality of the ice.

"It's part of the tradition here," Babcock said. "I just hope the guys that come on to scrape it off aren't digging up the ice. I want it to be smooth."

The tradition of throwing an octopus on the ice began with Pete and Jerry Cusimano in 1952. The brothers owned a store in Eastern Market and threw an octopus on the ice at Olympia Stadium, with its eight arms representing the number of wins needed at the time to claim the Stanley Cup.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110415/SPORTS0103/104150429/Wings-fan-says-he-was-fined-$500-for-Game-1-octopus-toss