Florida Panthers penalized for too many rats on the ice

Playoff-chasing Panthers given two third-period penalties against the Devils because fans were throwing toy rats onto the ice despite warnings not to do so

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Giving away 10,000 toy rats to fans as they arrived at the arena was supposed to be a promotion for the Florida Panthers.

It turned into a problem instead.

The Panthers were penalized twice in the third period of Thursdays 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils because fans were throwing the rats on to the ice despite warnings not to do so. New Jersey didnt score on either resulting power play, but that wasnt enough to keep Panthers star Jaromir Jagr from saying after the game that he wasnt pleased with the situation.

I dont really agree with the penalties, Jagr said after Florida moved back into first place and on the brink of clinching just the franchises second playoff spot in the last 15 seasons. We can always say, hey, it was New Jersey fans throwing them, we should have the power play. Its too important a game and its going to be more important in the playoffs. I dont think we should get two minutes for that. I think the league should do something about it.

Actually, the league did something about it two decades ago.

The Panthers rat craze is a nod to the 1995-96 season, when as the oft-repeated story goes, Scott Mellanby killed a live one with his stick in the locker room of the teams former arena before going out and scoring two goals. The toy rats started flying in celebration in the games that followed, and after that season, the NHL changed its rules to say that teams could be assessed minor penalties for such outbursts.

And thats what happened Thursday, twice.

It was a bonus for us to get those power plays on that, Devils coach John Hynes said. Unfortunately, we couldnt find a way to make them pay a bigger price for it. I think its tough for the players, for sure. There was a warning prior to it and it kept going. Tough situation. I think the fans were trying to have fun and do their thing, but if we capitalized on a couple of those power plays its a little bit of a different game.

In recent years at Panthers home games, the rats typically fly after wins. But with 10,000 of them handed out before the game Thursday, there was concern that they might get thrown early.

Turned out, that concern was far from unfounded.

They called it like they were supposed to call it, a visibly annoyed Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. Theres nothing they can do. When we throw stuff on the ice, its the rule, its been the rule for a long time, theyve got to know better. I sure hope it doesnt happen again Weve got to be smarter than that.

Gallant was asked if he would ask team management to not do such a giveaway in the future.

Thats not my department, Gallant said. But like I said, I hope the fans understand that these are important games and points for us. I hope they understand that you cant throw these rats until the end of the game. It almost cost us tonight. Our guys battled hard and we love our fans and we love the rats, but I hope that doesnt happen again.

Jagrs fear is that it will happen again, and not necessarily by Florida fans.

If theyre going to give us a penalty every time somebody throws a rat, then where are we going to play in the playoffs? Jagr said. Theyre just going to hire some guy to throw rats and get power plays all game. It doesnt make sense to me.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/01/florida-panthers-penalized-too-many-rats-on-the-ice