Little Big Town had just barely finished all the fuss. “…and the house of the brave.”While singing the U.S. national anthem before the catfish started raining inside Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, ahead of Game 4 of the NHL playoffs for the Nashville Predators.
At least six catfish were thrown onto the ice that afternoon before a crushing overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Players who have thrown catfish in the past include former Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, who almost hit a woman in the neck with a catfish before a Stadium Series game at Nissan Stadium.
Why do the Nashville Predators throw catfish on the ice?
What started as a response to a Detroit Red Wings fan throwing an octopus on the ice has become a tradition among the Predators fan base.
When did the Predators' catfish hockey tradition begin?
Depending on who you ask, 1999 or 2002.
Former Broadway bar owner and musician Bob Wolfe says he threw his first catfish onto the ice on January 26, 1999, during the Predators' first season. Wolf said he did it in response to a Detroit fan who threw an octopus. Ice is their tradition.
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After finishing a game earlier that season, Wolfe said he looked at the Cumberland River and was inspired.
“Catfish!” he said he yelled.
Some believe the tradition began on October 26, 2002, when the Predators defeated the Red Wings 3-1 at Bridgestone.
What happens to the Predators fan who threw a catfish on the ice?
At Bridgestone Arena? In reality, there's nothing but a Facetime on the big screen above center ice and a shower of applause from those approving the faithful Predator.
Road arenas may be a different story. Just ask Jacob Waddell. He was doused with beer as he was escorted from PPG Paints Arena and was charged with disorderly conduct for disrupting a gathering and possessing criminal instruments after throwing a 4-pound catfish onto the ice before the game started. He was indicted. Game 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.
The charges were dropped the next day, but Waddell soon earned the nickname “Catfish Jake.” Waddell also pulled off the stunt in a road game against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver, but was spared charges.
At some point in the mid-2010s, the NHL warned Predators team officials that if a catfish was thrown onto the ice during a game, the team would be subject to a delay-of-game penalty.
What is the Nashville Predators catfish record?
No such official statistics are kept. At least six people were thrown onto the ice Sunday before Game 4 of the series. Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Revis caught a catfish that day, kissed it, and pretended to throw it on the ice. There's no doubt that more games were played in his 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.
What happens to catfish on the ice at a Nashville Predators game?
Ice crew members collect the carcasses, place them in gold buckets, and immediately transport them to the arena's trash compactor.
Who chugged Predators catfish beer?
Former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan and Canadian-born country musician Ali Walker are among those adding fish flavor to their beers.
Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks NHL Playoffs 1st Round Schedule
Chubu anytime
Game 1: Canucks 4, Predators 2
Game 2: Predators 4, Canucks 1
Game 3: Canucks 2, Predators 1
Game 4: Canucks 4, Predators 3 (OT)
Game 5: Predators 2, Canucks 1
Game 6: Vancouver, Nashville. Broadcast on Friday, May 3rd at 6pm CT on TNT and Bally Sports South
Game 7 (if required): Vancouver Nashville. Sunday, May 5th TBA
Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach out to me at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X Platform (formerly Twitter). @paulskrbina. Follow his work here.
