Superstitious fans and even players develop weird rituals to ensure a win for their team. Read the origins of some of the strangest, like how fans of the Detroit hockey team tend throw octopuses onto the ice after the Red Wings score a goal during a home game.
A list of recommendations state that the octopus should be cooked, as a raw octopus tends to leave slime on the ice. Link
The origins of this tentacled tradition began in 1952 when fewer NHL teams meant that the road to the Stanley Cup only took eight playoff wins. Thus, the 8 legs on an octopus would symbolize the road to the Stanley cup with 8 winning games. Since then, hundreds of octopi have rained down onto the Redwing rink.
A list of recommendations state that the octopus should be cooked, as a raw octopus tends to leave slime on the ice. Link
dead dogs and cats?
Besides, everyone knows it's octopodes. ;)
Also, as a lover of cephalopods, I'm horrified and disgusted at this tradition.