Unless you’re an eight-legged cephalopod, one of the best (and cruelest) traditions in the NHL is when Detroit Red Wings fans throw dead octopi on the rink. It’s a custom that dates back to 1952, the octopus’ legs symbolizing the eight playoff wins a team used to need in order to win the Stanley Cup.
Other hockey teams have copied the idea but use other types of seafood. For instance, University of New Hampshire fans have taken to throwing a dead fish on the ice after the Wildcats score their first goal of the game. The tradition originated in the early 1970s, and the operation is simple: 1) Wait until New Hampshire scores its first goal; 2) Throw the fish over the glass surrounding the rink and onto the ice.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats fan below, that was easier said than done.
While it wasn’t the strongest performance we’ve seen from a fish thrower, you still have to like the dude’s gumption: He kept on trying until he succeeded (in making a fishy mess that somebody else had to clean up).