Hockey fans have been known for throwing certain objects onto the ice in the past. In Detroit, they’re known for tossing an octopus onto the rink while Nashville takes a similar aquatic route with catfish.
One Edmonton Oilers fan’s decision to throw nachos onto the ice might be a first.
On Tuesday night, the league-leading Washington Capitals had come to visit Edmonton in a matchup between two of the NHL’s top teams.
With Washington leading 3-1, a tray of nachos had been tossed onto the ice at Rogers Place that distracted Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson.
That led Oilers center Leon Draisaitl to pass the puck to winger Corey Perry – who took a shot mere feet away from the discarded food item and beat Thompson to make the score 3-2.
Thompson immediately began pointing at the nachos with his glove and was seen complaining to officials on the ice.
Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson gave up this goal to Edmonton’s Corey Perry
Thompson said that a tray of nachos that was thrown on the ice moments earlier distracted him
Nevertheless, the goal stood but Perry (L) and the Oilers couldn’t find their way to a victory
“I’ve never seen that before. Obviously, I’ve got to play to the whistle. That one’s on me,” Thompson said, according to ESPN.
The goalie added, ‘I saw the guy that threw them. Wasn’t too happy. But credit to him, he got them a goal.’
According to the NHL rulebook, Rule 63.5 says, ‘In the event that objects are thrown on the ice that interfere with the progress of the game, the referee shall blow the whistle and stop the play and the puck shall be faced-off at a face-off spot in the zone nearest to the spot where play is stopped.’
In this case, the nacho tray didn’t interfere with Perry’s shot. The Oilers player later said, ‘I didn’t even see them. I was focused on the play.’
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery admitted his surprise at the situation after the game: ‘That’s a first. We just talked about that in the coaches office.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nachos-on-the-ice National Hockey League game. Did they save them? Maybe we can bring them into the locker room.’
Carbery added, ‘I didn’t even notice them, and then guys were yelling “There’s nachos on the ice!” I was like, “I don’t know, can we challenge that?”‘
Washington held on for a 3-2 win as they extended their advantage atop the league. They sit four points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets.
