The hockey team that throws rats on the ice is the Florida Panthers. Here are five supporting facts:
1. Tradition: The rat throwing tradition began during the 1995-1996 season when the Panthers made an unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Finals. After each home victory, fans would throw plastic rats onto the ice to celebrate the win.
2. Rule change: The tradition became so popular that the NHL had to introduce a rule to address the issue. Rule 63.4 was implemented to penalize the home team if fans threw objects onto the ice, including rats.
3. Penalty for the Panthers: During the 1995-1996 season, the Panthers received penalties for rat-related incidents. However, they managed to turn the situation around and used the rats as a rallying point, gaining momentum and eventually reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.
4. Rat trick: The rat throwing tradition has become synonymous with the Panthers and their fans. It even led to the creation of the term “rat trick,” which refers to a player scoring three goals in a game.
5. The comeback of the rats: While the tradition faded away in the early 2000s, it made a comeback during the 2015-2016 season when the Panthers experienced success once again. Fans embraced the tradition, and rat throwing became a frequent occurrence at home games.
FAQs:
1. Why did fans start throwing rats on the ice?
– Fans began throwing rats on the ice during the Panthers’ 1995-1996 season as a way to celebrate home victories during their unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
2. Did the NHL try to stop the rat throwing tradition?
– Yes, the NHL introduced rule 63.4 to penalize the home team if fans threw objects onto the ice, including rats. However, the Panthers embraced the tradition and turned it into a rallying point.
3. Did the Panthers receive penalties for rat-related incidents?
– Yes, during the 1995-1996 season, the Panthers received penalties for rat-related incidents. However, they used it as motivation and reached the Stanley Cup Finals.
4. Is there a term related to the rat throwing tradition?
– Yes, the term “rat trick” was coined to refer to a player scoring three goals in a game. It is a play on the term “hat trick,” which means scoring three goals in a game.
5. Did the rat throwing tradition fade away?
– Yes, the tradition faded away in the early 2000s. However, it made a comeback during the 2015-2016 season when the Panthers experienced success once again.
6. Are real rats thrown on the ice?
– No, fans throw plastic rats onto the ice, not real ones.
7. What happened to the rats thrown on the ice?
– After the games, the rats are collected by the arena staff and discarded appropriately. They are not kept as souvenirs or mementos.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Florida Panthers are the hockey team known for throwing rats on the ice. This tradition started during the 1995-1996 season and has become synonymous with the team and its fans. Despite attempts by the NHL to stop it, the tradition continues to this day, adding excitement and a unique element to Panthers’ home games.
