Florida Panthers Ratted Out

This week’s Real Men of Genius Award goes to whoever in the Florida Panthers organization that decided giving away plastic rats at a Panthers’ game was a good idea. Back in the 1995-6 Stanley Cup playoffs when the Panthers reached the Finals before losing to Colorado, plastic rats were given to the fans to celebrate winger Scott Mellanby’s killing of a real rat in the Panthers’ locker room. People threw them on the ice when the Panthers scored, leading to a rule change that such actions by fans could draw a delay of game penalty.

Well, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The Panthers gave away plastic rats at their March 31st game against the New Jersey Devils. Sure enough, the rats came flying onto the ice after Panthers goals:

Florida was penalized twice in the third period, but managed to win 3-2. The Panthers are in a close race with Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division, leading it by two points. It’s probably not a good idea to give opponents more power play opportunities while fighting for a division championship.