Stanley Cup Final: Catfish makes its way onto ice in Pittsburgh before Game 5

The energy continued for the crowd in Pittsburgh after two games in Nashville, and even the catfish tradition made the trip for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Many hockey fans were (rightfully) worried about the change in the crowd atmosphere before Game 5 after two loud and fun games in Nashville, but some traditions, like the catfish, made their way back to Pittsburgh.

Before Thursday night’s game, the crowd showed their support for their Pittsburgh Penguins before they battled the Nashville Predators in a pivotal Stanley Cup Final game in some unique ways. Those in attendance in the PPG Paints Arena tried their best to match the sound levels the Nashville fans became notorious for through Games 3 and 4, and even had another visitor in the arena that found its way to the ice.

Somehow, even with an apparent catfish ban for Predators fans, a catfish donned in a typical Pittsburgh “Terrible Towel” was thrown out onto the ice, as an apparent troll of the tradition held up by Predators fans in Nashville.

Some thought of it as some bad luck at first, but it apparently worked out for the Penguins. The team went up 2-0 in the first eight minutes of Game 5, as they attempt to bounce back from two straight losses that led to a tied series through the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final.

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If the Penguins win this game, they’ll have the chance to finish off the series on the road in Nashville on Sunday night. However, there’s always the chance that they could win Game 5, lose Game 6 in Nashville, and end up back in Pittsburgh for the series’ decisive game.

If that’s the case, we may see this Terrible Towl-wrapped catfish make its return as a good omen for the defending Stanley Cup champions.