David Ammenheuser|The Tennessean
However deep the Predators' Stanley Cup run is, the catfish will be there with them in lockstep.
Predators fans have been throwing catfish on the Bridgestone Arena ice long before the franchise became a Cup contender.
The Tennessean first reported a fan tossing acatfish on the arena ice on Oct. 30, 2003. However, there are reports thatBob Wolf, a restaurant owner,tossed a catfish on Jan. 26, 1999, against the Detroit Red Wings.
"I thought it was an octopus," former Predators owner Craig Leipold reportedlytoldThe Associated Press. "I was pleasantly surprised when I realized it was a catfish. I figured it had to be one of our fans mocking the Red Wings. I was not disappointed."
Red Wings fans have been throwing octopuses on the ice since 1952. The octopus' eight legs were symbolic of the eight postseason wins needed to win the Stanley Cup.
Now, the eventual Stanley Cup winner must win 16 postseason games. That's simply more opportunities for catfish to hit the ice.
Predators won't endorse throwing catfish
A few seasons ago NHL officials warned the franchise that they would start handing out delay-of-game penalties it the tradition disrupted a game. Thus, the tradition switched to throwing the catfish prior to the start of games.
The Predators do not officially endorse fans throwing the catfish on the ice. Publicly, they frown on the practice. Yet, they are not in a hurry to stop it
Sneaking the fish into Bridgestone Arena
Getting hefty catfish past security is not easy. Throwing it over the glass and onto the ice is even tougher.
FanWes Collins concealeda 20-pound catfish into the arena and tossed it onto the icebefore the Predators' first home playoff game last year against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Using plastic wrap, Collins sealed the catfish to his body. He thenpulled on an extra-large Predators jersey to conceal the bulge.
Collins, a Williamson County medical supplies salesperson, and his buddies Austin Casselman andJonathan Hardinwalked through security and to their seats. As the national anthem began, they left their seats and got into position for the dump.
Collins' biggest worry?
"I didn't want to hitCarrie (Underwood) singing the national anthem."
'Catfish Jake' brings national attention
The catfish-tossing tradition reached the national stage during the first game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final whenJacob Waddell, of Nolensville, tossed a catfish onto the ice in Pittsburgh.
Police escorted Waddell immediatelyfrom the arena and charged him with disorderly conduct, disrupting a meeting and possession of an instrument of crime. The charges were later dropped.
He instantly became known as "Catfish Jake"Waddell.
FIRST ROUND: How Predators, Stars stack up in first-round playoff series
ANOTHER BANNER: How the Predators won the Central Division and secured home ice for early playoffs
REXRODE: Predators have different feel entering playoffs -- embrace at your own risk
'Catfish Briley' pranks NHL office
Briley Meeks is a then-25-year-old Predators fan who spent $141.75to mail a dead catfishto the NHL office in Toronto as a protest of the league's ruling thatFilip Forsberg's last-second tying goal against Florida in 2018 did not count because of teammate Viktor Arvidsson's goaltender interference.
"Catfish Jake was my inspiration," said the Goodlettsville hairstylist.
After the controversial loss, Predators fans were outraged. How darethe NHL's "situation room" in its Toronto league office disallowa goal that would have been one of the most dramatic and most important goals in the franchise's 20-year history.
To Meeks, there was a comical and symbolic way to express her feelings: Send a dead catfish to the league office.
"This was intended as a joke," she said. "I am a huge practical joke person and I feel like this was the ultimate prank."
Nashville Predators playoff schedule
Game 1 atNashville: Dallas wins 3-2, leads series 1-0
Game 2 atNashville: 5 p.m. Saturday, Fox Sports Tennessee, CNBC
Game 3 atDallas: 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 15,Fox Sports Tennessee, NBC Sports Network
Game 4 atDallas: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, Fox Sports Tennessee, USA
Game 5 atNashville (if necessary):TBA, Saturday, April 20
Game 6 atDallas (if necessary):TBA, Monday, April 22
Game 7 atNashville (if necessary):TBA, Wednesday, April 24
Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Tiwtter @NashSportsEd.
