I doubt many fans would sell their seats close enough for a wings fan to reach the ice. The fish markets won't sell them any octopi either.
I still have my fingers crossed for tickets to Saturdays game. It's a long shot but still a possibility. I hope the Pens keep the physical play high.
Wholey's Not Selling Any Octopus To Detroit Fans
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ¯ Wholey's Fish Market in the Strip District is known for being able to meet any Pittsburghers' seafood needs.
But as the Penguins gear up for the Stanley Cup Finals match-up against the Detroit Red Wings, one item has become taboo here in the 'Burgh.
Most employees at Wholey's are predicting the Penguins will win the Stanley Cup in six games. But they also say they are absolutely not selling any octopuses to fans of the Red Wings.
The tradition that started all this happened back in 1952 when a fish store owner threw an octopus on the ice to symbolize the eight victories needed back then to win the Cup.
The Red Wings won that year, so they have been carrying out the tradition ever since.
But if Detroit fans think they will do it next week when the Pens play at home, the people at Wholey's have other ideas.
"A couple of people from Detroit called asking if we did sell octopus," said Dan Wholey, "and I said, 'Well, we do, but I can't sell them to you because that would be disrespectful to the Penguins.'"
Regardless, if Detroit wants to bring their tradition here, they will have to buy the octopus at home. Meanwhile, Pens fans are prepared to fight back with some tricks of their own.
"We should have a Penguin run across the ice chasing an octopus on a string," said Mike Hartman, Wholey's employee.