Update (9:09 PM): George Malik has more. He’s not satisfied. To be clear, neither am I, but we can only hope that the League relaxes more in the future. I’m not holding my breath. - Matt
Citizens of Hockeytown, rejoice! Helene St. James now reports that the League has lifted the ban on octopus twirling at the Joe.
The only catch is that Al Sobotka can’t do it out on the ice. He has to save it for the Zamboni pit instead because the League is still holding to the myth that “matter” flies off a twirled octopus and creates hazards on the ice.
No new word on how the octopus will make it to Sobotka’s hand. I assume he’s still not allowed to go out to get it himself, so he’ll have to wait for the officials to make the handoff.
Even though sight of the twirl will be more limited in the confined space of the Zamboni pit, Al should be able to fire the crowd up again. I’d like to see the League give up the rule on the twirl altogether, but this is a more satisfactory arrangement.
Not surprising…they’re backing off without saying “we were idiots.” But since this is the NHL we’re talking about, I’m amazed they didn’t allow it with the restriction that all activities that involve oscillating a cephalopod be confined to a trapazoidal area designated within the zamboni pit.
…
Having just typed that, I’ve made a mental note to use “oscillating my cephalopod” in a conversation tomorrow, just to see what happens.