Latest news with #RatsRule
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why do Florida Panthers fans throw plastic rats? Tradition's history, explained
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. The Stanley Cup Final is shifting to the Florida Panthers' home arena in Sunrise, Florida, for Games 3 and 4. And that means the return of the barrage of plastic rats being thrown onto the ice after a Panthers victory at Amerant Bank Arena. Advertisement The team also is embracing the rat legend for Game 3 by putting towels on each seat that read, "Rats Rule." An octopus (representing the eight wins once needed to win the Stanley Cup) occasionally lands on the ice during Detroit Red Wings games. Nashville Predators fans sometimes sneak in a catfish and toss it on the ice. And, of course, the ice gets littered with hats when someone scores a three-goal hat trick. But why plastic rats? Here's a look at the history: Origin of plastic rats at Panthers games It stems from the 1995-96 season when Florida's Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the old Miami Arena. He scored two goals that night, which a teammate called a 'rat trick.' Advertisement Fans picked up on the story and started throwing plastic rats on the ice after the Panthers scored goals that season, a magical one in which the team went to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final in the franchise's third year of existence. The Panthers were swept in the championship round with Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy telling teammates "no more rats" after he gave up a goal in Game 3. He shut out the Panthers the rest of the way, including a 1-0 triple-overtime win in Game 4. The NHL, which didn't appreciate the long cleanup needed after each Panthers goal, changed rules that offseason to make throwing items on the ice after a goal subject to a delay of game penalty. So now rats get tossed after victories. Panthers championship rings When the Panthers won their first Stanley Cup title last season, they included a rat on their championship rings. Brad Marchand adds to the history The Panthers acquired Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins in March in a shocking move at the trade deadline. Advertisement He has played a big role in the team's playoff success, including the double-overtime goal in Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers. His nickname is Rat, so teammates shoot plastic rats at his legs before he leaves the ice after a win. 'Rats Rule' towels The 'Rats Rule' towels that are going on every seat for Game 3 have a special touch, per TSN. Hidden on the towels are the logos of the three teams – Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes – that the Panthers defeated to reach the Stanley Cup Final. How to watch Panthers vs. Oilers Game 3 Date: Monday, June 9 Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: TNT, truTV Streaming: Max, Sling TV (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why do Panthers fans throw plastic rats after home wins?
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Panthers' Game 3 rat towel gimmick trolls Leafs, Canes and Bolts
Teams handing out towels for their fans to wave isn't new, but Florida has taken it to the next level The towel being handed out to Panthers fans in Florida. Note the Maple Leaf and the lightning bolt and the hurricane flag? Photo by Steven Sandor / Postmedia When the Florida Panthers skate onto the ice at Amerant Bank Arena on Monday, fans will be waving red and white towels made especially for this year's Stanley Cup Final. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The seats are blanketed in 'Rats Rule' towels that the fans will wave before and during Game 3 between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla. The rat has long been a symbol of the Panthers franchise. There's even a rat mural in the media area at the arena. The rat tradition dates back to 1995 when Panther Scott Mellanby smashed a rat with his stick in the team's old dressing room at the Miami Arena, then went out and scored twice that night. Rubber and plastic rats being showered on the ice became a thing as the Panthers made a Cinderella run to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, where they were smashed by the Colorado Avalanche. Take a close look at the photo below before you read any more of this article. Blow it up if you have to. Can you find the three NHL teams being trolled in the art? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It shouldn't be hard to figure out which three teams are being mocked here. Maybe the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Panthers' first-round victim. Do you see the lightning bolt just above the rat's foot? What about the Carolina Hurricanes' warning flag logo near the knob of the stick? And, sorry, Leafs Nation, of course, the Panthers didn't forget you. Once you see the Maple Leaf in the rat's ear, you can't unsee it. The towel being handed out to Panthers fans in Florida. Note the Maple Leaf in the ear? Steven Sandor/Postmedia Photo by Steven Sandor / Postmedia The thing is, in a little more than a week, will a new rat also feature an Oil drop? Read More Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post, and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun World Sunshine Girls Golf Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls
